Hello everyone

I disassembled again the boiler and all its fittings. All seals were made with Teflon, there is a significant risk that it melts.

I had a closer look at the problem is really two microscopic leaks.

A mouse against an elephant.

 

 

 

Hello everyone

It all started very well, a lot of work but no surprises.

In two days, I got my account … first, before yesterday, impounding of the machine, cold because I was still waiting last parts to finish the two groups.

I plumb the machine after checking that everything was tight and I gently open the water. I begin to fill the boiler and I have a leak to the flange of the machine, nothing serious, I tightened and it will be resolved.

Ditto for the HX  group left, down, it was not tight enough either.

I get to the water inlet valve and a leak on the arrival side, just after the valve which is connected to the hose. I must say that it lacks a bit of tightening and also is sending a bit of a key. It still leaks …. I tighten again but it still leaks, and rather more, I decided to take apart.

Final observation, the female fitting olive is split a bit of everywhere …

This is particularly annoying because this piece is no longer anywhere, it will therefore be necessary that I find a solution. I decided to change the connector fitting flat, which I add a joint. I cut the most damaged, then I grinded a dish. Solder to fill the last remaining micro cracks and re grinding to rebuild a correct range. Even the olive processing and assembly of the pipe. That is, I was a bit scared but finally it will not happen.

Yesterday I finally received the two piston pins that I missed to get all groups, then wound a little laborious, new pistons have been complicated to screw on the axes by compressing the springs, but it was finally done and groups are operational.

Last evening, the machine is hot, a small leak in the last connections thermosyphon groups and everything is ok. First coffee to rinse the machine then it is 22h so I decided to stop.

Today I put the machine on, I rinse a little more and decide to taste my first coffee, very happy to finally arrive at the end of this project. This afternoon, after dinner coffee will be taken on the machine and frankly, it’s really beautiful, the reputation of this group really is not stolen.

This afternoon, I put a little workshop, and at some point I fell not far from the machine, eye level with the bottom, I see a drop down, I go and there actually a small puddle under the boiler. Inspection, and it is a disaster …. there are two tiny pinholes in the bottom of the tank ….

I will have to take the boiler apart again and weld both holes by a specialist, I can not weld stainless steel and do not have the necessary equipment.

So … following the re re-assembly…

 

 

Hello

This morning I received the stainless steel screws, I finally got up the boiler, its flange and I replaced the original nuts that I used temporarily for the feet.

It’s long, I can not wait … I miss only the piston rods of the groups to be able to go back and start up the machine. Everything is ready, these parts are waiting on the grid bassinelle, I installed the system that will allow me to mount the new springs they do not jump me in the head, finally I’m on the starting block to finish 🙂

I mounted the heat element with a homemade Teflon seal.

The P-stat is in place, it is connected, while the beam is in place elsewhere, finally … there is only to …

 

 

Hello all

I’m late … I was able to clean the boiler, I had to sand the bottom which was attacked by a large enough surface rust. You have to understand the “operation” of stainless steel, this is not the material itself which is stainless but its reaction to the air. Contact with oxygen causes first-oxidation, called passivation, which will form an airproof and liability layer, a certain thickness becomes stable.

Rust on stainless steel occurs when the passive layer is attacked by an aggressive agent, it can be a grinding, welding, chemical attack, such as hydrochloric acid, completely prohibited. The use of tools that have been in contact with ferrous metal may even be causing a problem. I think the boiler had to be cleaned with steel wool, obviously there was a leak at the low pressure valve, and the protective layer has been weakened, the iron powder came into contact with bare metal and rust. This layer prevents good passivation of stainless steel and corrosion gradually takes over.

To facilitate the return to normal of the surface sanded, then assaulted, I had to polish the tank to find a smooth surface more conducive to “good” oxidation.

I also back up all the piping, hoping not to have to undo all later… normally it should be fine, at least… I hope 🙂

A small picture of the result:

 

 

[:] Continue reading “Faema President 2 groups”

Polishing and assembly groups:

The groups were very scratched, it took me over 2 hours each to give them a nice shine.

There are still some traces. It is a great debate but some make systematically replate their machines, I prefer when possible to let original, even with some traces, it may be stupid but I feel that with their bright recovered, only the original chromes can attest the history of the machine.

[:] Continue reading “Faema President 2 groups”

The parts have arrived!

Today a driver brought me a box with lots of interesting things, I’ll finally be able to put me on this restoration a rapid pace.

I had prepared taps the other day, scaling, cleaning and polishing a little, I longed to be able to go, it’s a little disheartening when you do not see things move forward.

 

 

That’s a lot of parts just for a tap …

 

 

But still … they are really successful aesthetically.

 

 

Drip tray polishing and front is a long time but it comes good. This is the first time I polish the stainless steel and it is surprising as it may seem at the outset that the surface is in fairly good condition, and as gradually as we see in fact it was very tarnished by years.

[:] Continue reading “Faema President 2 groups”

Photos of the day, the polishing of stainless steel begins to yield good results.

The taps take place.

 

[:] Continue reading “Faema President 2 groups”