CMA/Astoria (cafethema) Lever rebuild

[milowebailey]

I've had this lever for a couple years... and I'm finally getting to the rebuild

The machine has been disassembled and the frame Powdercoated.  I've ordered the parts I need for the rebuild and am starting to re-assemble it.

It's a CMA/Astoria (cafethema) 2 group lever. 

A commercial Lever is so simple compared to a semi-automatic... no electronics, no pump, and fewer parts.

Here are the new parts that will be installed:

All new seals
New steam and water knobs
New Bottomless Portafilters
New Lever Bearings
New Group Screens
New gaskets
New steam wands
New sight glass

[milowebailey]

Here is the frame before powdercoating

[mp]

Look forward  to the detailed pictorial rebuild with your commentary.

 

[jspain]

Larry's at it again! I wish I had his skills!

I'll be grabbing a lever for sure!  jim

[milowebailey]

A few parts showed up over the weekend...

Here are some before and during cleaning.

[milowebailey]

few more.  All the copper got a nice bath in Acid.  Boiler over night, the tubing about 20 minutes.... shiny clean... and then a really good rinse

[milowebailey]

A few of it going back together

[Tex]

Great pictures of a worthy project machine.

[milowebailey]

The machine was originally 230 volt, but someone put in a 115v heating element.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to leave it 115v or put a 230v heating element in it.  The boiler is right at 20A @ 115 volts.  Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

[peter]

The machine was originally 230 volt, but someone put in a 115v heating element.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to leave it 115v or put a 230v heating element in it.  The boiler is right at 20A @ 115 volts.  Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

Is this staying in your possession, and can you run 220V to the machine?

If/when you sell it, will a 220V machine be harder to peddle?

I'd go w/ 220V any day of the week if possible.

Or, as Jeffo would say, 222, whatever it takes.

[mp]

220 probably give you better shots ... but how will it affect the resale?

 

[Tex]

The machine was originally 230 volt, but someone put in a 115v heating element.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to leave it 115v or put a 230v heating element in it.  The boiler is right at 20A @ 115 volts.  Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

That's a big boiler for only 20 amps of 120 VAC; it'll take longer to reach initial temp stability and to reestablish it after pulling a shot or steaming. Most big-boiler machines use at least 30 amp 220VAC elements. I'd also consider wire heat - how old is the wiring and what gauge is it?

Given a choice, I'd prefer to run 220VAC; but I'd use whatever voltage the pump uses - no point in having multiple outlets in use.

[milowebailey]

The machine was originally 230 volt, but someone put in a 115v heating element.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to leave it 115v or put a 230v heating element in it.  The boiler is right at 20A @ 115 volts.  Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

That's a big boiler for only 20 amps of 120 VAC; it'll take longer to reach initial temp stability and to reestablish it after pulling a shot or steaming. Most big-boiler machines use at least 30 amp 220VAC elements. I'd also consider wire heat - how old is the wiring and what gauge is it?

Given a choice, I'd prefer to run 220VAC; but I'd use whatever voltage the pump uses - no point in having multiple outlets in use.

Tex... two things. 

1) I'm going to put all new wiring in, so that's not an issue.
2) It's a lever..... there is no pump!

[Ringo]

Milo
You are really making me feel bad.  I rebuilt a Faima one group and it took 2 years to finish, you are rebuilding this on in a couple days.  Come on slow down a little!!!   Looks like a great machine.

[Tex]

The machine was originally 230 volt, but someone put in a 115v heating element.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to leave it 115v or put a 230v heating element in it.  The boiler is right at 20A @ 115 volts.  Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

That's a big boiler for only 20 amps of 120 VAC; it'll take longer to reach initial temp stability and to reestablish it after pulling a shot or steaming. Most big-boiler machines use at least 30 amp 220VAC elements. I'd also consider wire heat - how old is the wiring and what gauge is it?

Given a choice, I'd prefer to run 220VAC; but I'd use whatever voltage the pump uses - no point in having multiple outlets in use.

Tex... two things. 

1) I'm going to put all new wiring in, so that's not an issue.
2) It's a lever..... there is no pump!

But if you go with a 20 amp 120VAC element it's still under powered for that large a boiler (My 4 liter boiler is just 16 amp 120VAC and it's borderline). Why not use the gas burner - that'd be my preference.