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A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

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Paul_Pratt
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Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 1:00am Subject: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt Getting back to his long time column on CoffeeGeek, Paul Pratt writes his first in a series of rebuild articles, this time with a closeup look at the classic Faema E61 full restoration.

narc
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Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 2:45pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

Paul, reading about your restoration of the Faema E61 was a pleasure. It is good to read about someone willing to restore a really nice machine that has some historical value. Couple questions. What concentration of citric acid solution do you use for descaling? Do you use the same strength for routine maintenance light descaling? Why the boiler end caps during that era? Why not common today? The light panel on the Faema E61 is beyond totally cool & beautiful.

Noel Mano dell 'operatore> Macinadosatore> Miscela> Macchina espresso

MarshallF
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Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 5:24pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

Paul, apart from the beauty of your work, I'm still trying to get my head around your ability to send off 150 parts to the chrome plater ... and remember where they all came from three days later. Very impressive. I'm still working on 10 parts and 10 minutes.... Marshall

alsterling
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Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 6:14pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

Paul..... I just finished your article. Not only was it interesting, but the machine itself is, in my opinion, is just plain beautiful. I'm in the metal graphics industry, and enjoy anything involving metal refinishing. You must have experienced great satisfaction in the rebuild and the great results. Seeing the backlit plastic graphics gave me some ideas for my own coffee signage. Thanks for shareing. Best, Al in SoCal

Member No.12047 - SCAA http://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AlSterling Warning: Close cover before striking "Space Available Here for Something Really Prolific"

andys
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Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 6:16pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

Paul_Pratt Said: Paul Pratt writes his first in a series of rebuild articles, this time with a closeup look at the classic Faema E61 Posted December 18, 2007 link Just fantastic, Paul!

-AndyS picture page: http://flickr.com/photos/andy_s/sets/ Extractmojo and VST filter basket beta tester

CJC
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Posted Wed Dec 19, 2007, 4:48pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

It was a real pleasure to read your article. Cheers

SQRL
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Posted Thu Dec 20, 2007, 4:16am Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

it is indeed an amazing machine mate :) i will blog about our visit as soon as i have some time. see you soon!

houdina
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Joined: 1 Sep 2005
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Posted Thu Dec 20, 2007, 5:30am Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

Just stunning, a really impressive machine and rebuild. Gregg

ByronA
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Posted Thu Dec 20, 2007, 1:06pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

Paul, Thank you so much for writing about about this. I really enjoyed reading about it and the photos were a great complement. What a gorgeous machine! You have inspired me. Don't tell my girlfriend, but I will keep my eyes open for an affordable machine to attempt as a restoration project. I enjoy rebuilding things and the tips you give with your article will be very helpful. Merry Christmas! Byron

Paul_Pratt
Senior Member

Posted Thu Dec 20, 2007, 11:40pm
Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt

narc Said:

Paul, reading about your restoration of the Faema E61 was a pleasure. It is good to read about someone willing to restore a really nice machine that has some historical value. Couple questions. What concentration of citric acid solution do you use for descaling? Do you use the same strength for routine maintenance light descaling? Why the boiler end caps during that era? Why not common today? The light panel on the Faema E61 is beyond totally cool & beautiful.

Posted December 18, 2007 link

I usually throw about a tablespoon of powder into 1-2 litres of water, the hotter the water to faster the descaling should be - that is for descaling. As for routine preventative descaling you would want to do less than that certainly. I am not a big fan of descaling machines as a whole if they are too far gone as it loosens too much scale and blocks things up.

The boiler end caps were changed a few years later. A few companies still use this, but I should guess it is quicker and cheaper to use robotic tig welders these days to close the ends. It is quite time consuming to put the end plates on.

The light panels should make a comeback!

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