Ponte Vecchio Lusso Mods

Koffee_Kosmo

Next time you do the seals you should consider a small puller like the one in the picture I have used these for 40 years As you will be using it for pushing, the centre bolt will need to be reversed to come in from the underneath The fingers themselves are also reversible and you can choose long or short length for reach ect All you need to do then is hook the fingers (top of picture) inside the lip of the group head, turn the bolt and its done in no time You may need to do a one off modification to suit your machine KK

Lacehim

The problem with them KK is that they can damage the chrome on the group and one slip and its back to the beginning. The jig worked great, you also need to push the middle seal in so access is still required all the way around the piston. Jack has just received a tool from Ponte Vecchio that does away with all this anyway. It's basically a version of the jig but uses a portafiler locked into the group, combined with a version of OE sleeve. Very nice idea. I'm sure someone would have come up with it before with porafilters where not $70 each!!!!! Hope to get my hands on it, but Jack has posted up a "how to" on CS. It looks very simple and only took him 15 mins to change the seals. A link could be posted but I would have to get permission of the mods.

Lacehim

Sorry AM, been a bit under the weather of late so I haven't done a thing about it yet. Only had a few coffees over the past few weeks. Feeling better now though and up to making and drinking coffee. Do you need a knob or just dimensions? I haven't progressed much on the antivac mod either. I was hoping to find someone that could rustle me up a custom 6mm pipe and BSP Fittings to try an idea I have. Might be dreaming on that one though.

Lacehim

Ordered a knob from OE, and it's now on it's way to AM for a little project. Thanks AM. Also been thinking about the antivac. I remember reading somwhere (or maybe I was dreaming) about why the pressure gauge on a coffee machine has that pipework that goes around and around about 4 times before connecting to the gauge. It is supposed to stop water getting to the gauge? Is that correct? If so I was thinking I could use something similar with my antivac so that it minimises the water spraying around the place? Thoughts? Where could I get a custom pipe made? Any ideas?

Gra

I always thought that the coil was for dampening to stop needle shudder in the gauge...... gra..

Lacehim

Gra wrote:

I always thought that the coil was for dampening to stop needle shudder in the gauge......

Could be Gra, it's was just something I read, and it started an idea off in my head.

AngerManagement wrote:

What a lovely little KNOB ... Not ;D Ok... Will do up one, and I guess you would like it how much bigger ? Can you measure up the shaft.. As where it fits is a mix of Square and round and I need to make sure it is all 100% correct. That is I am assuming a round shaft of x long and a square section of y ? Will need to think about the End Cap or No Cap 😉 Mark

I find it a tad small, get a cramp in my hand if it's on tight, which due to the design is always! Say about 10mm bigger top to bottom?? If we go too big the will look a bit out of place I suppose. Can't measure the bits your asking because I haven't removed a knob yet 😉 The screw keeps it on tight, and the plastic is a snug fit to the round shaft of the valve if that helps. Your x y assumption sounds good. Personally no end cap will keep it simple, it really isn't a big deal if the screw is recessed anyway? What do you think?

Lacehim

AngerManagement wrote:

KISS ;D

You got some of the same wood AM? The colour came up great on the handles. I just need to sort them seals out. You wouldn't believe the dramas I've had with the left group. I replaces the seals, it still leaks, and now it's been slipping the last few times I've pulled a shot. Older beans (4 weeks) fair enough, but I've never had that issue. Gotta get roasting again but there's beans to process, transfering Quicken data to Money Dance, rebuilding my PC (damn thing keeps beeping) and then family life and everyone got the lurgy at the moment. 🙁

Lacehim

Thanks AM. Might be best if I get them back here, and get the original knob off and see how it all stacks up. I don't have any square mortice chisels but I can always buy one from bunnings or something. I just didn't want to post the tap stem off to you because the machine is useless without it. Can you give them the same coating as the handles? How did they turn out? Are you happy with them?

Lacehim

What do you want me to measure exactly?

Lacehim

Wow. Stunning job AM. Can't wait to get them on the machine. 🙂 They look a perfect match for the handles you made. I might see if I can make up some stainless steel inserts from some scrap I have lying around (dead toaster). The plastic ones will probbaly get damaged trying to get a the screw when I take the stock ones off. 🙁 I think I will be the only PV Lusso owner with full wooden handles and taps. Again thanks. You made my day.

Brett_H

Wow! Simply WOW!

Koffee_Kosmo

So who is a lucky boy Nice job AM Alas one day it will be my turn once I find that special timber KK

Lacehim

Taps arrived. Nice. The square section does need to be made slightly bigger, but not by much. Nice job AM, they look amazing.

Koffee_Kosmo

I now have some suitable timber for my handles and knobs Its ash/red in colour and was cut off the 20yo tree last week The tree verital is an Australian native called bottle brush or wattle KK

Koffee_Kosmo

AngerManagement wrote:

I will "Confirm", but may be able to meet at the V's in the morning (18th August)... It will depend on work and if I need to drop my daughter off.. I will also have some Bolivia Caranavi Fairtrade Organic for you :-) Sounds like another Project Thread will be started 😉 AM

OK get back to me so I can wake up in time if its a swap meet I also spotted a huge tree 50yo Redgum a few streets from me The whole tree was cut down but only huge trunks are left KK

Lacehim

Woohoo. Fitted. Only need a small sand with a file (bought a small triangle one from bunnings). I didn't think they where on far enough, but then realised that the tap was screwed out and the square section started a few mm further out. Doh. At least I didn't keep sanding! lol So I just put them on, screwed in the stock screw and bob's your uncle it all worked. The size is perfect, just a smidge bigger than stock but much better for grip. The lusso HW & Steam taps need a good hard turn to keep them from leaking. Just the design of the taps from what I've heard. Anyway, take a look and see what you think. Personally I love it. I think I have the only fully tricked out PV lusso with custom handles & taps in the world! 🙂 ;D 😃 8) Big thanks to AM for making it all happen. We need to find you a big pile of wood AM so that you can make more of these. They really are fantastic. PS. There are no endcaps yet, I've decided to make my own s/steel ones because the you have to drill a hole in the stock ones to get the tap off! 🙁

Koffee_Kosmo

Woo ahh Thats sexy in a mechanical way KK

SniffCoffee

My 2c says you don't need to worry about the endcaps - knobs look just fine as they are.. 😉

Muscles

Wow, good job guys! Both function and form... I seriously considered one of these machines and then saw everything you were doing to it and realised with my coffee machine "know-how" I had no hope of doing the same.

Lacehim

The machine is great just on it's own. The problem is I just have to tweak things! AM's handles and knobs just make the machine mine. It's unique now and I really love the timber. Just made the wife a chai and the knobs worked great!

« Previous Page Next Page »