Arrarex Caravels Project

galumay

As fellow Crema members would know I have been quietly collecting a few Arrarex Caravels through contacts I have in Italy. My plan is to have one really first class machine for myself, restore the others, convert to Australian power supply and quietly sell on to enthusiasts who dont have either the confidence or connections to but from overseas.

This one is the best to date in terms of internal condition, here it is upside down with the base off, ready for the old power cord to be replaced.

And here is the kettle element,

Finally, the second pour on it, check out the big air bubble hanging off the PF spout - a characteristic of the end of manual lever pulls.

galumay

quick & dirty video shot today, [embed=425,349]<!-- This version of the embed code is no longer supported. Learn more: https://vimeo.com/help/faq/embedding --> <object width="500" height="281"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=45434455&amp;force_embed=1&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=00adef&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0"; /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=45434455&amp;force_embed=1&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=00adef&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0"; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="281"></embed></object>[/embed]

galumay

Fair bit of editing AM, hence no indicator light. My little helper added to the rough edit!

Brett H

Great looking machine Gal!  Are these like the pavoni in that they are a two shot wonder before overheating or is there greater capacity like the Cremina?

galumay

Brett, with the open boiler design you dont have that issue, the hottest it can be is about 100C, the small mass means everything heats up pretty quickly too. The only heat issue is the coarse adjustment of the thermostat as fitted. Thats why I have a kettle PID coming to control it more finely. Of course the disadvantage is no steam for milk!

lemoo

love the first person videos lol. you dont find that often head mounted?

galumay

I was actually wearing the chest harness for that one, the head harness is a bit high.

lemoo

ahh that makes sense also reduces swaying and bopping with head movement

shape_shifter

I want a blue one Gal 

galumay

There is a blue one on Fleabay ATM.

shape_shifter

Holy crap is that in mint condition?

galumay

I have made some further progress, mainly cleaning up and replacing little bits and pieces. Today the Kettle PID arrived, except it was tuned as a rice cooker PID so had to re-configure it. I have now moved the little beast over next to the Hobart mixer - which in turn hides the PID!

Muscles

Love that Hobart  :thumb: How long have you had it and did it need restoring when you got it?

galumay

Brand new, guy bought it for his wife, she didnt like the 'look' of it (wanted a pastel coloured kitchen aid probably!). I picked it up from Fleabay for a price you dont want to know!  :P

Muscles

What model is it? And, congrats, you obviously got a great deal  :thumb:

Koffee_Kosmo

Excellent thread on a beautiful yesteryear Caravel Lever machine It certainly looks like a nice machine for it's age

galumay

on 1341990312:

What model is it? And, congrats, you obviously got a great deal  :thumb:

Its an N50-619, given that the RRP is over $3500 i did get a VERY good deal!! Gotta get lucky every now and then.

Brett H

on 1341993845:

Its an N50-619, given that the RRP is over $3500 i did get a VERY good deal!! Gotta get lucky every now and then.

Kudos on the Hobart! 

Naki^chap

Orphan espresso have some used caravel parts listed in their clearance items, I managed to get a heating element  :thumb: .

Brett H

Nice one Cadan and thanks for the heads-up.  I reckon DX will be heading there because he has a secret coming from Italia and I reckon it's a Caravel!

derrilex

Bwahahahahahahhahahha, Nope, not one of those things. What I have, is here already. Just 10 minutes away from you Brett. More than welcome to have a look - if you can keep ya lips zipped  :P :D

Brett H

I'm outside now, let me in. :rofl: We'll not quite! You are the Italian Taunter!

derrilex

Anytime Brett. I even have the odd turkey hanging around for your kicking pleasure

UNM

For anyone working on repairing a caravel, as of today there is a source for replacement heating elements in either 110 or 220 volt versions http://www.cafelatstore.com/products/caravel-heater He also sells tampers, not just for the caravel, but in  other domestic lever sizes too. I have ordered a couple and will report back on receipt.

borat123

Nice.  For a second there I thought they were only HKG$38... 

UNM

Caravel elements arrived today. I got back at lunchtime and there was a parcel waiting for me. Installed and element heats up. No  time for full test, but back to a morning ristretto tomorrow. :coffee2:

Kevohere

Good stuff  :exclaim: Should have "pulled" one this evening though. That way you'll lose sleep for a known reason and not toss and turn in eager anticipation of the next morning's highlight.  ::) Enjoy.  :coffee2:

eggbert

Anyone willing to let me know what a good ballpark figure is for getting one of these to Aus?

galumay

Eggbert, I will sell you one, I need to reduce the size of my collection of Caravels and Baby Faeminas, as well as selling my rare Sorrentino Atomic!

lemoo

i'm curious too now lol

galumay

I will get all my coffee paraphernalia sorted out and make a thread of stuff for sale at crema prices!