Londinium I Lever Espresso Machine

Koffee_Kosmo

The dimensions of Londinium I are approximately; 500mm deep, 375mm wide and 300mm high, plus the height of the lever. The depth may change, but this is what it measures today

Lacehim wrote:

Hot off the press Also they are using toggle/joystick controls on the hot water/steam. I hope they can flick on, and stay on or that would be a pain in the arse.

Not much different than the Strega is dinentions @ W 330 D 450 H 400 & 710 with handle They may copy the toggle on the Strega as it has a lock "ON" in the up Possition and manual hold elsewhere KK

derrilex

Anger Management wrote:

Mind you; quality timber is required as I am over trying to use left overs and other stuff. Kiln dried and turning blanks are the best.

Pussy :rofl:

Seeya_Latte

My previous life as a PI has finally come in handy..... I reckon that just by looking at the photo, seems like it was taken at a workshop with what looks like Fracino machines in the background and the drip tray and switches (and dimensions reorted) on the prototype look like they've been lifted / modelled off the Fracino Cherub machine...makes sense Fracino are UK based machines Columbo out

Paolo5

You could be spot-on with your legwork, Seeya Latte. Both the Fracino Heavenly and Cherub models also have a 2.3 litre boiler and an element rating (in England) of 2850 watts. Either of these models could be the platform upon which the Londinium 1 is being based.

conikal

..and they mention trips to Birmingham to check the prototype build. Fracino are in Birmingham . 😉

UNM

Makes perfect sense. The Londinium, made in Birmingham. :thumb:

Lacehim

There has been a lot of info on their blog about the machine. I've been keeping up to date with it. A few changes have been made, the pump will basically operate like the Strega, running as every shot is pulled, for a few secs to fill the boiler. The reasoning was to make it more temperature stable, so lots of little fills of water, rather than one big fill of water. They haven't mentioned what pump then are using yet. A few things mentioned lately about the machine are: No sight glass, it will have water level sensors instead. No ballast to keep the machine stable while pulling the lever down. Does the Strega have this? Dry weight of the machine is probably going to come close to 35Kg ??? Sirai pressure stat has been spec'd They are using hardwood grips for the handles They will have a model with glass side panels and clear coat boiler & pipework. Nice! They are supplying a combination carbon water filter & ion exchange water softener in the tank so we don't have to use Volvic bottle water in it. :rofl: Sorry still get a laugh at this everytime. The water must be really bad in London! Forged chromed brass portafilter holders A kit will be made available for plumbing Londinium I into a mains water supply (Please note that this kit does not bypass or eliminate the water pump) Also earlier on they mentioned in the blog that they designed the top so that you can't put cups on it to warm them up. Not sure about their reasoning, but they suggest the it warms up quick, and that people will just turn on, and use, and turn off. But then later start talking about temperature stable groups. :doh: Seems a bit inconsistant. Anyway, I like having my cups up on the top warming up. So, really for me it's a toss up between the Strega, or the Londinium I. Mmmmm. So there you go. I'm still considering one, but a few of the decisions they have made have put me off a bit. Still a good call on the glass side panels and clear coat boiler & pipework model. That would look seriously trick. I always thought after all the work borat did on his machine that it the internals deserved to be shown off!

Brett_H

The pump is disappointing. I'll stick with my Junior Extra PID and use the Pavoni for lever fun. In light of this If i was in the market I'd go for the Strega: tried, tested available now....that is, if I didn't already own the most awesome machine in the universe 😛

conikal

Brett H wrote:

The pump is disappointing.

Sounds just like the debate over the Strega in its early days ! 😉 No reason why the same "pump bypass" ..as some did on the Strega...could not be done if desired ?

Koffee_Kosmo

Don't forget that the Strega already does come in 3 combinations, Factory built So if one desires a silent version then the no pump plumed in version is available Having said that I actually have greater control with the pump KK

lespresso

hi i've joined this forum to answer any questions you may have about the Londinium I lever espresso machine kind regards reiss. londinium espresso

Hatchy

lespresso wrote:

hi i've joined this forum to answer any questions you may have about the Londinium I lever espresso machine kind regards reiss. londinium espresso

Welcome Reiss. Glad you found this forum. Could you post up a run down on the specs and estimated price (including delivery to Oz)?

lespresso

hi GBP1500 incl 20% VAT, which will not be charged for exports outside the EU you are looking at about GBP200 for FEDEX door to door to Australia, which depending on how Aussie customs feel, should reach you in about a week. its a fully tracked service anyway, so you can see exactly how far away it is spec 2.3L copper boiler 2800W or 2400W for NZ/AUS if preferred so it runs on 10A, but id recommend the full fat 2800W experience if you can big 'ol spring group with thermosiphon vibe pump (i know, i know, but the guys making it assure me they have used it in their other machines for years and it is very reliable) looking at about 550mm(d) x 320(w) x 320 (h) GBP1500 is for the base model with stainless sides and black synthetic handles there will also be a more expensive version with glass side panels & polished copper boiler & pipes that has then been clear coated so it won't tarnish & that's about it think reiss.

conikal

lespresso wrote:

hi i've joined this forum to answer any questions you may have about the Londinium I lever espresso machine kind regards reiss. londinium espresso

Thanks for taking the time to join the forum Reiss, so, its September tomorrow... when can we expect to see the finished article ? Were we correct in suggesting that Fracino may build the "production" machine for you ( excellent choice if correct ). Any comments on the pro's /con's of a "pumpless" version ? Do you plan on having an agent /distributor in Oz, .....so we colonials can get a close look ? Thanks again for developing a fine m/c.

lespresso

ah yes, the old Sept 1 question 🙂 im afraid we will be rowing hard to get it to market in late Sept to be honest, but we'll have a better idea soon yes, i don't think I'm ashamed to tell you that Fracino have done the engineering design, calcs, and indeed production I'm very grateful to fracino for the opportunity, and having been through their facility a few times i have no hesitation in suggesting you take a look at their products, for e.g., one of their pump machines if levers aren't your thing - they are all underpinned with sound engineering, a high build quality, and represent exceptional value for money the plumb in kit will go 'above' the pump - the reason for this is simple - we are selling this machine globally. it is a real headache if we sell a plumbed in machine to someone who has low water pressure and we have to resolve the issue over the phone, or worse email/chat, and possibly without a common first language to converse in if people chose to strip the pump out, well we can't stop them, but it is no longer a standard machine in terms of after sales support. that isn't to say it invalidates the warranty as a whole, but certainly in relation to issues that might arise as a result of doing that, i.e. boiler not filling. agent in oz - not in the 1st 12 months i don't think, but beyond that who knows. if we had the sales volume to justify shipping numbers by sea freight on a pallet then the unit freight cost really drops, but I've looked at the cost of moving a lump of this weight & dimension internally in Australia, e.g. Perth to Brisbane & the savings get eroded pretty quickly, especially when you factor in the increase cost of devanning and then repacking into individual consignments - someone has to be paid to undertake this activity there is also the increase in risk of damage and the difficulty in determining where the damage occurred if we put it on fedex in london and they collect from our door and deliver to yours inside a week and its damaged on arrival its pretty clear cut - Fedex pays. if it gets to you in multiple hops with multiple carriers it can become less clear. remember, I'm a colonial too.

Lacehim

Brett H wrote:

The pump is disappointing.

Any machine with a tank rather than being plumbed in would have a pump anyway. The noise of the pump is my concern, especially having had a few pump machines with a ULKA thumping away in the backgroud, and now having a slient lever. Still, the benefits of having a tank are a bonus! 🙂

lespresso wrote:

i've joined this forum to answer any questions you may have about the Londinium I lever espresso machine

Great to see you here Reiss. There has been lots of interest in your lever here. The communication on your blog, and by email has been fantastic about this project. I'm really looking forward to seeing the end product, and hopefully buying one. I hope you put up a few videos so that we can see it in action! 🙂 Ooooo, I see I got a mention on your blog. http://londiniumespresso.com/blogs/londinium-espresso-blog I feel like I've been put in the naughty corner now! :rofl: Didn't mean to stir the pot, and your response was great. I'm home all day, so my machine is usually on, so at least I have the option of both! 🙂 I don't store my entire collection of cups on my machine, just 1 or 2. Also I'm glad you explained the different ways the pump is being used, it seems the Londinium I & Strega are poles apart.

lespresso wrote:

there will also be a more expensive version with glass side panels & polished copper boiler & pipes that has then

I can just imagine this with a light inside the case! It would be like going back to my case modding days! ;D Reiss, what sort of finish will the case of the machine have? Initially you mention it not being another stainless steel box. Has the changed now that you can get laser work done straight onto the stainless? It's certainly shaping up to be a fantastic machine... and maybe my ultimate lever purchase. I don't think we've every had this level of information from a manufacturer before about a machine as it's being developed, without any smoke and mirrors (take note Breville). It's nice to see it evolving, and the final customers of this machine feel apart of the process too. Sweet! 🙂

lespresso

hi lacehim curiously you didn't have a meltdown like the sheriff did here; http://www.home-barista.com/levers/new-domestic-lever-espressso-machine-with-commercial-group-t22480-70.html ah well, he'll recover :stir desperately trying to avoid having to put a light inside the casing - i think it looks a bit cheap (blue led is a pet hate of mine, for example), but lets see - i have a strong preference just for ambient light the base model is a stainless box with black plastic handles to keep the machine within reach of as many people as possible the premium model is a box, but not a plain stainless one - i think it will look ok with clear glass side panels and solid teak grips and clear coat oven baked enamel to keep the boiler and copper pipes untarnished. the whole idea is to put our money where our month is and show that the internal fit and finish is superior to the alternatives in truth i don't think it is a non-descript euro 'box' in the way the Bosco, Quickmill Achille and others are - it has a unique low, wide, deep profile that i haven't seen on any other machine which i really like as it makes the machine look a lot smaller than it is which will greatly reduce the odds of your significant other vetoing your prospective purchase

conikal

lespresso wrote:

the plumb in kit will go 'above' the pump - the reason for this is simple - we are selling this machine globally. it is a real headache if we sell a plumbed in machine to someone who has low water pressure and we have to resolve the issue over the phone, or worse email/chat, and possibly without a common first language to converse in if people chose to strip the pump out, well we can't stop them, but it is no longer a standard machine in terms of after sales support. that isn't to say it invalidates the warranty as a whole, but certainly in relation to issues that might arise as a result of doing that, i.e. boiler not filling.

I understand & respect your position on this and would only ask if you have used a "normal " 15bar vibe pump, or maybe selected a lower pressure unit to help minimize noise ? ...( as you only need enough pressure to fill the boiler )

lespresso

Off the top of my head the vibe pump we are using can push up to almost 30bar, but it is adjustable and we have it running at a fraction of that That said, I understand a key factor that determines how quiet a pump runs are the mountings. Again we didn't develop this from a clean sheet and hope that it works, but rather we are using components that Fracino have used in their other products for years and so are able to say with confidence that they are up to the job

Paolo5

Hi Reiss, Welcome to the forum. I have read all that I have been able to locate about the Londinium 1 and have to say that it sounds like a winner as far as I am concerned. I saw my tax agent this afternoon and will have the readies in 10 days from now....I NEED one!

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