thirsty_biker Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2011 Posts: 19 Location: Toronto Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 7:45am Subject: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
All I wanted was a nice cup of espresso. That's all. Not too much to ask, right? Then I find this place, a fountain of information and I start considering moving my budget up from $700 to $1200. Then from $1200 to $2000! I need to be stopped.
Anyway, I'm probably going to pull the trigger on a machine in the next couple of weeks. I've pretty much decided on the Baratza Vario grinder, so that's good (barring a smoking deal on a used Super Jolly or something similar popping up in the foreseeable future). I've scoped a place, locally, that roasts its own beans, so that's good. Now for the machine:
I noticed that someone is selling a Faema Compact on the BST forum, and it's local! I've been searching Google and the CG forums for information on these but most of what I've found has been related to fixing, modifying or rebuilding these machines. So I have a few questions for those that may be in the know:
What the heck is a E64 group head? From what I've been able to tell it's an iteration of the E61, but know very little about it beyond that.
How old are these machines? (the model number is C84/1 A) I believe that there are a couple of places in Toronto that sell Faema products, will I have a hard time ordering parts from them?
This particular machine can be plumbed in. Does anyone know if it must be plumbed in, or si there an optional water reservoir?
How would one of these compare to a current prosumer HX machine (like, for instance, the Oscar)?
Thanks again, in advance, to all for the helpful advice.
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 8:15am Subject: Re: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
The compact is a small one group commercial machine. It will have a rotary pump and will have to be plumbed in or used with a flojet.
The model number likely means that it is the 1984 incarnation of the compact (note that this doesn't necessarily mean the production date) and the 1A likely means that it is a single group Automatic so it will have volumetric dosing.
Whenever buying a used machine make sure that it was cared for, look for signs of scale buildup.
With regards to the E64/E66 it is more or less the same as the E61. I may be wrong, but I believe the difference is that the E64/E66 can be made into an Automatic whereas the traditional E61 calls for a lever and semiautomatic dosing.
A Faema HX machine, like the compact, should be similar in performance to today's prosumer machines, not much has changed over the years.
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xaderrick Senior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2011 Posts: 50 Location: Nacogdoches, TX Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Le'Lit PL041 (Working on NS... Grinder: HC-600 Drip: Mr. Coffee
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 8:25am Subject: Re: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
Hey, I use the Faema for a small coffee bar at a college ministry. We bought it used this year, ours doesn't have the automatic dosing but is the same in every other aspect. It pulls some great espresso.
I believe that idrinkcoffeecanada is incorrect and it doesn't have a rotary pump. Mine has a Vibe pump and most in the Faema compact line do, that being said you should be able (in theory) to use a water tank. I tried to on my machine but never got it to work. (I didn't try long and now have some ideas of how to get it to work, just don't have a need to do it anymore)
I also agree that condition is a big deal in buying a used machine, but with a little work you can have a nice machine pulling some great shots! As for a price point I bought mine for $450 missing the water site level and with the "water softener" bypassed but all in working condition. I also saw one hit ebay when i was looking for one for $750 w/a SJ but it was too rich for my blood at the time :)
thirsty_biker Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2011 Posts: 19 Location: Toronto Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 8:41am Subject: Re: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
Thanks for the info, guys
According to the ad, the machine was rebuilt about a year ago, complete strip down. The asking price is $600 CDN and that includes 3 portafiltres. It also indicates that it has a vibe pump.
I thought one of the requirements for a plumbed in machine was a rotary pump, is this incorrect?
Hey, iDrinkCoffeeCanada, are you associated with the Milton based store?
xaderrick Senior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2011 Posts: 50 Location: Nacogdoches, TX Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Le'Lit PL041 (Working on NS... Grinder: HC-600 Drip: Mr. Coffee
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 8:48am Subject: Re: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
thirsty_biker Said:
According to the ad, the machine was rebuilt about a year ago, complete strip down. The asking price is $600 CDN and that includes 3 portafiltres. It also indicates that it has a vibe pump.
I thought one of the requirements for a plumbed in machine was a rotary pump, is this incorrect?
Yeah, that's incorrect :) I have mine plumbed in currently and it works great. This machine is designed to do this actually. I believe you have to tweak the pump to get it to pull out of a tank however. did alot of reading on it and seemed to be a fairly simple thing to do, again i just didn't need to do it so i never tried.
Vibe pumps are a little more forgiving on lack of water than rotary pumps but they are louder.
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 9:13am Subject: Re: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
thirsty_biker Said:
Thanks for the info, guys
According to the ad, the machine was rebuilt about a year ago, complete strip down. The asking price is $600 CDN and that includes 3 portafiltres. It also indicates that it has a vibe pump.
I thought one of the requirements for a plumbed in machine was a rotary pump, is this incorrect?
Hey, iDrinkCoffeeCanada, are you associated with the Milton based store?
Yes, my name is Slawek, I'm the owner of iDrinkCoffee.com in Milton.
There are machines that have vibration pumps that can be plumbed in, although it is rarer to see now a days which is why I assumed the compact had a rotary pump. What is the size of the boiler, is it 3.4 litres? The price is fair for an older machine.
SJ
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thirsty_biker Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2011 Posts: 19 Location: Toronto Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 9:21am Subject: Re: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
iDrinkCoffeeCanada Said:
Hi,
Yes, my name is Slawek, I'm the owner of iDrinkCoffee.com in Milton.
There are machines that have vibration pumps that can be plumbed in, although it is rarer to see now a days which is why I assumed the compact had a rotary pump. What is the size of the boiler, is it 3.4 litres? The price is fair for an older machine.
Hi Slawek, I'll probably be getting my grinder from you. I've been going through your site for a few weeks now. How up to date is your open box section? Do you have a showroom? If so, is it open on weekends?
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 9:50am Subject: Re: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
If those images are the machine after the "rebuild," I would think twice. That is pretty rough looking for having anyone's hands in it. If you go to check it out, open the thing up and take a look. If there are ANY signs of leakage (scale, stains, etc.) I would say pass, or offer them half the asking price. Not that these are indications of a problem but because if it got a total going over according to the seller about a year ago, and those images reflect its current state, I would not trust either the seller, or the rebuilder, or both.
Posted Mon Oct 3, 2011, 9:58am Subject: Re: Still reading...brain hurting...Faema Compact?
thirsty_biker Said:
Hi Slawek, I'll probably be getting my grinder from you. I've been going through your site for a few weeks now. How up to date is your open box section? Do you have a showroom? If so, is it open on weekends?
I just bought my Bezzera Magica from him Slawek, now to wait for canada post
i can give you info on the showroom 315 Steeles Avenue East Milton, Ontario, L9T 1Y2, Canada Showroom Hours: Monday to Friday : 11:00am to 6:00pm Saturday : 11:00am to 4:00pm Sunday: Closed
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