Ponte Vecchio Lusso Mods

Lacehim

I just realised I didn't take a photo of the machine from the top with the case off. So here is the problem top down. The pressure stat is roughly 5cm directly below the steam valve. There is rather a nice gap behind the plastic Sama cover 🙂 From the edge of the boiler to the safety valve (which is right next to the plastic cover) is 4cm.

Lacehim

How difficult is it to get the parts for a small pipe, and solder them on? I have access to an old propane blow torch. I think if I get a L fitting, a T piece and then make a small pipe to the antivac it will be better, and less fittings for leaks to occur. I see coffeeparts have 522217 1/4" ends for 6mm pipe, and you can buy the 511532 1/4" nut. Not sure where I can get 6mm copper pipe though, or what to solder it with? I guess a plumbing shop would be the go there? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Lacehim

AngerManagement wrote:

Gameco have all sorts of piping and compression fittings etc You do not always need to braze / solder. Just be aware that a number of the standard brass fittings I got from Coffee parts broke, as they were made incorrectly and I guess came from India or some where . The Gameco ones were solid and worked well.

I remembered that, and they haven't replied to my email anyway. I asked for sizes of the parts so that I could mock it up before buying. Their website is useful to see what's available though. I would prefer to buy local, but I don't want to be driving all over the sunshine coast to find bits so online would be great, but I haven't found one supplier that has it all yet. No impending trips to Brissy either. 🙁

Lacehim

True about the email but if you run an online business surely you need to run a decent filter. Yes I could pick up the phone but I can't see pictures on the phone and I can only describe in laymens terms which makes is bloody difficult. Also the rugrats go ferral which makes converation difficult. 🙁 Anyway, I found this place. http://www.fittingsexpress.com.au/products They sell standard BSP fittings and compression fittings and they look pretty sturdy. Then I just need to source copper pipe and an antivac. The antivac should be an issues, most places have them but the copper pipe? Probably need only 200mm or so of 6mm or 1/4" but most online places are 6m min. :o

Lacehim

So, how easy/hard it is to braze/solder? What would I need to do the job? I'm interested. Also, I think I've got a better way to mount it all but will have to look at parts first. CP are out of stock of the ones I need. Might have to source locally. Where's the best places to look? Plumbing shops seem to stock mostly bigger fittings or am I wrong?

Koffee_Kosmo

Lacehim wrote:

So, how easy/hard it is to braze/solder? What would I need to do the job? I'm interested. Also, I think I've got a better way to mount it all but will have to look at parts first. CP are out of stock of the ones I need. Might have to source locally. Where's the best places to look? Plumbing shops seem to stock mostly bigger fittings or am I wrong?

Leave the brazing to the experts Fittings could be found in stores that cater for Gas Appliances & Equipment You have a couple in Noosa KK

Lacehim

Thanks. So brazing is difficult then? I was hoping it might make it easier, and have a lot less fittings. I'm just curious is there foodgrade fittings or are they all the regardless of their application? I will try local first, and if not Gameco might be the go next visit to the big smoke. Better go check on the cake.

Koffee_Kosmo

Gas fittings actually have a higher rating than water fittings You can use them with confidence KK

Lacehim

I phoned a gas place but they said all the gas fitters have their own fittings and directed me to Reece. I went to Reece plumbing in Noosa and they where really helpful and didn't even give me a hard time with my backyard "invention" for coffee machines. I think they might even have enjoyed it. A break from the norm. 🙂 They even helped keep the cost down. Great stuff. Ended up with what I wanted layout wise, but they did have to use some reducers for the T. The only issue I have with it is leaks and most of you that followed my San Marino rebuild know how good I am with fittings. :🙂 Also noticed that the description on the invoice is for 6mm parts, not 1/4". Are they one in the same? will I have any issues? I remember reading about someone complaining that they where sold 6mm instead of 6.4mm (1/4") pipe. Anyway the fittings are very thick and strong looking. I will probably have to use some tape to get the orintation correct I guess. Here is a pic. (Sorry AM I forgot the matchbox for scale) So now all that is required is a 1/4" antivac. Anywhere I can buy one without incurring stupid postage costs? ie the valve is $14 so I wont to be paying $10 in postage.

Lacehim

I need to play a bit more with the fittings. Put an order with coffeeparts today for the antivac and a couple of fittings, and then I'll give it a go fitting. I'll have to change my idea slightly because it was too long to fit in the case the way I planned. 🙁 So now I will replace the pressurestat with a T fitting then put the pressurestat forward if it will fit, and the antivac around the back of the boiler.

Lacehim

Right, remaining parts ordered from coffee parts and should have them here tomorrow. Now I just need time. Also going to work on the right hand seals. Question in the US they use a product called DOW 111. Haven't seen it here but I have some inox food grade grease from the San Marino rebuild. Would that be equivalent? Also need to hide the grinder from the mrs when that gets here. Grinder what grinder?

Koffee_Kosmo

Lacehim wrote:

Right, remaining parts ordered from coffee parts and should have them here tomorrow. Now I just need time. Also going to work on the right hand seals. Question in the US they use a product called DOW 111. Haven't seen it here but I have some inox food grade grease from the San Marino rebuild. Would that be equivalent? Also need to hide the grinder from the mrs when that gets here. Grinder what grinder?

Dow Corning 111 is a food grade high temp "silicone grease" Normally used for valve stems and rubber seals Is the Inox a silicone grease KK

Lacehim

I seems to be a clay based grease with PTFE though too? Not sure if that's okay or not? inox mx6 website http://www.inox-mx3.com/inox.htm (to the left there are a few pages, one says uses for it) and inox mx6 MSDS http://www.inox-mx3.com/downloads%5CINOX%20MX6%20AUS.pdf So what does everyone else in Australia use on their levers seals?

Koffee_Kosmo

Lacehim wrote:

I seems to be a clay based grease with PTFE though too? Not sure if that's okay or not? inox mx6 website http://www.inox-mx3.com/inox.htm (to the left there are a few pages, one says uses for it) and inox mx6 MSDS http://www.inox-mx3.com/downloads%5CINOX%20MX6%20AUS.pdf So what does everyone else in Australia use on their levers seals?

PTFE is used in micron form to make the grease thicker & give it heat stability I would get Inox MX6 for your application KK

Lacehim

Thanks kk. Inox mx6 is what I have. My right group is not working at all so I'm going to have to do the change. No sign of spare seals yet so I can only do one group. Might as well do them while I fit the antivac.

Lacehim

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Bugger. Tried many many combinations, either the fittings hit the steam pipe or the electrical box or they would hit the case. I hoped to come out the boiler, turn right, T then pressurestat up, and turn right again, long pole and up to the antivac. That would have been the best set up but you can't fit the elbow and the T together, and you can't put the T on the elbow once it's fitted. It just can't be done with the fittings I have that I can see. Total waste of $80 I'm afraid. 🙁 😢 😡

Lacehim

Now that I've calmed down is there any such thing as a Male 1/4" to Female 1/4" fittings that I could extend the elbow out with???

Lacehim

Ah ha. Light bulb moment. Possible successful outcome. Always happens. It doesn't work the way I wanted, I throw my hands up in the air and rant and get frustrated. Then later on after my brain has ticked over the idea and a solultion presents itself. 🙂 So, this should work. Using the male to male fitting extends the elbow out enough to screw the T on. 🙂 The pressurestat faces up (that's just a bonus really) and isn't impeaded by the steam fittings. The Antivac wraps around the back of the boiler and is visiable so that you can gauge if any water is spraying into the casing. 🙂 Assembled in this order using the parts I have. 1/4" Male to Male fitting connected to the boiler. 1/4" Female to Female Elbow 1/4" Male T piece 1/4" Female - Female adapter for pressurestat 1/4" Female to Female Elbow 1/4" All thread nipple 150mm 1/4" Female to Female Elbow 1/4" Antivac on a Tea Candle shell. If it works I personally think it would be better with an all female T, and two male-female elbows which remove the requirement for an adapter for the Pressurestat. But I'm working with different bits and bobs and Reece didn't have any all female T's in stock. FYI all the parts should be available apart from the Antivac & Tea Candle shell from Reece plumbing. They are also cheaper than most places I've found online. I will post up a rough price and parts list once I've got this installed and working.

Koffee_Kosmo

So the old saying was right Theres more than one way to skin a cat Disclaimer (no animals were harmed in the above statement) KK

Lacehim

Should get time to look at the antivac tomorrow. So might as well ask my next question. ;D I really need to change my seals on my right hand group. It's unusable, so I've been using the left group only. I'm still waiting for seals from Sorrentina Coffee but I was luckly given a spare set and a tool to fit the seals that Ash got from Orphan Espresso (a little cylinder that the seals go into when fitting the seals back in) I like this idea http://www.home-barista.com/levers/ponte-vecchio-lusso-piston-removal-revisited-t9661.html (just don't get absorbed by the physics in further pages) and would prefer to do my seals this way, rather than stuffing about with G clamps with the risk of scratching chrome, getting frustrated and generally feeling like throwing the machine out the window. Took me ages to get the shower screens back on last time when I had a lookey... and I mean ages... 20 mins+ The only part I need is something like a threaded glide, or a long bolt threaded all the way. Tried the usualy hardware stores but the bolts don't thread all the way, and they only have tiny threaded glides. Any ideas on a source or thoughts about the whole process?

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