SpeedStar Senior Member Joined: 6 Dec 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Chula Vista, Ca Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II, Silvia Auber... Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Baratza Vario, Drip: Aeropress, Cuisinart Roaster: Klatch, Belle!
Posted Wed Mar 18, 2009, 1:24pm Subject: WT borrow portafilter pressure gauge for Silvia
I was hoping I could find a fellow member willing to let me borrow their portafilter pressure gauge so I can check and adjust my OPV on my Silvia. I assume this is a one time thing and didn't want to guess on it or spend the $60 to buy one for one time use.
I can send a box with a prepaid label to cover shipping to me and return back quickly. I can pay a few bucks too if needed. Can anyone help me out?
Posted Wed Mar 18, 2009, 10:25pm Subject: Re: WT borrow portafilter pressure gauge for Silvia
I have gathered the parts to assemble one however I am only home on weekends. The plan is to put it together and check my machine this comming weekend. No promises however. If I find out my machine's pressure I can loan it for a while. When I get to tweeking the OPV I'll need it back again.
Posted Wed Mar 18, 2009, 11:43pm Subject: Re: WT borrow portafilter pressure gauge for Silvia
for ~$17 shipped you can own your own, cost about the same as borrowing one.
3/8" to 1/4" adapter 1/4" brass tee 1/4" needle valve (thanks Fifthgen, brilliant!) 200 PSI gauge, 1/4" Teflon tape
*links removed
If you don't mind spending a bit more, you'd be better off with a glycerine filled gauge (160 or 200 PSI), they can be had for about $15ish if you shop.
SpeedStar Senior Member Joined: 6 Dec 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Chula Vista, Ca Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II, Silvia Auber... Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Baratza Vario, Drip: Aeropress, Cuisinart Roaster: Klatch, Belle!
Posted Thu Mar 19, 2009, 5:26am Subject: Re: WT borrow portafilter pressure gauge for Silvia
Phil - thanks for the offer. I look forward to hearing how it works out for you. Are you going to use the needle valve to allow flow or just static pressure without the valve? I will wait to see how it goes.
If you don't mind spending a bit more, you'd be better off with a glycerine filled gauge (160 or 200 PSI), they can be had for about $15ish if you shop.
Thanks for the list. I did go by my local Lowes and it seemed that I could piece something together but thought I would check here first. I also couldn't get the spout off of my OEM Rancilio portafilter. I assume they do come off right?
espressophil Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 120 Location: Detroit Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia, and a Moka Grinder: Mazzer Mini w/ doser Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Thu Mar 19, 2009, 6:03am Subject: Re: WT borrow portafilter pressure gauge for Silvia
You betcha. But looking at the thread, and I'm no expert, I'd guess it's more like a 1/2" adapter not a 3/8" you'd need. Perhaps best thing is to take the PF with you if you go shopping. That's what I'm going to do. Thanks for the idea.
Posted Thu Mar 19, 2009, 6:21am Subject: Re: WT borrow portafilter pressure gauge for Silvia
espressophil Said:
...and I'm no expert, I'd guess it's more like a 1/2" adapter not a 3/8" you'd need. Perhaps best thing is to take the PF with you if you go shopping. That's what I'm going to do.
SpeedStar Senior Member Joined: 6 Dec 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Chula Vista, Ca Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II, Silvia Auber... Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Baratza Vario, Drip: Aeropress, Cuisinart Roaster: Klatch, Belle!
Posted Thu Mar 19, 2009, 6:25am Subject: Re: WT borrow portafilter pressure gauge for Silvia
I was told by a guy from EPNW that the Silvia PF threads are 3/8 BSP not our normal 3/8 NPT that we would find in our local hardeware stores. It appears that we can find connections that will work though from the photos af successful setups already done.
Can anyone chime in on what thread we should look for at our US hardware stores, NPT, flare, compression etc...?
I built a PF grouphead pressure measuring setup for my Silvia & I used a 3/8" NPT pipe brass fitting. Addendum: Ok, not exactly the same setup for the reasons I stated in the post., but I do remember trying out & attaching the 3/8" fitting to the bottom of the PF nipple of the old original PF handle for my Silvia (May 2001). It's not a perfect fit, but if you use a bit of teflon tape it'll work perfectly with no leaks. "Gaggia pressure problem and subsequent fix"
Perhaps best thing is to take the PF with you if you go shopping. That's what I'm going to do. Thanks for the idea.
Yes, it certainly wouldn't hurt., but the spout nipple is a standard size.. {;-)
I am under the impression that in most applications BSP and NP (straight National Pipe thread) are interchangeable in sizes up to 1/2 inch. I can not state this with authority, but I can say that I was able to make my PF gauge setup with material I found at my local WalMart with a couple of standard pipe fittings and a gauge and some teflon tape. I did not use BSP fittings.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
![espressophil: P3190005.jpg](javascript:ImagePopup("/images/42826/P3190005.jpg", 360, 270, "espressophil: P3190005.jpg");)
= No New Posts since last visit 