[SL01]

@dfk41Has the Cremina popped back in your head since the Evo arrived?

 

[SL01]

Nope......I often thought about it when I had no machine, and as mush as I enjoyed it, it is amateur football compared to premier league!

Bravo!

 

[SL01]

@pinky here is the same group on a really old machine.

Look at :58 when he pulls the lever down:

@Denis S Here is the 3-group Vostok being pulled twice starting at 4:05. I don't see any flex.

 

[SL01]

Because the 3 group doesn't share the same frame/chassis. My whole point to this conversation was there wont be any problem if the group tilts when you pull down the lever.

If the "problem" is the frame is L shaped an easy fix would be to add 2 bars on the sides connecting the top front corner with the back lower corner, making a triangle shaped. 4 holes and a screw rod into the chassis and that's it.

I wont bother with such stuff, if there are problems there is Paolo to be contacted and problems will be solved, my only concern is to make good coffee, screws, tilts, stuff like that, who cares?

@Denis SWe already know the Evo makes not only good but great drinks. That's not in dispute.

@DavecUK mentioned the appearance of flex in at least one of his test bed videos, and that the source of the issue is an previous-generation Vesuvius frame that had part of the front wall brace removed to accommodate the LSM. My impression is that this is not normal and plans were afoot to redesign/reinforce the Leva so there would be no flex. So that box was mentally ticked, at least until it can be verified in production machines.

This can be fixed of course, I had just thought this had been looked after before serial production began.

 

[SL01]

....there is also a distribution of the lever force, which makes it not visible in the 3 group (besides different frame, etc). ...

@Like Medium Strong Coffeeactually, flex manifests itself because the kinetic and static forces present are not in equilibrium. Therefore, no force transmission - or "distribution - is possible because it had been locally "spent". Had the kinetic force exerted by lever movement had been fully countered by the static force in the mating frame structure, then the "unspent" force travels, or is distributed elsewhere.

 

[SL01]

Here are a few videos of LSM machines with their levers being pulled. 3 different people, 2 different machines, the same LSM group. You be the judge.

1. Salvatore at his 2-group dipper, pulling at 1:37

 

[SL01]

The flex issue was really bigged up by a fake account, that has been dealt with. They were posting for one reason only, to create trouble. Watch peoples videos, go and see one if you are really concerned. This is not a discussion or a comparison with Londinium, even if some people want to make it that. This machine is not remotely similar to Londinium in any way except that they both have a lever you pull. So any comparison, doesn't even make sense. The only turf war is one that others are trying to create....

I've been quite open that I am friends with Paolo and helped with the basic design. I used by 20 years experience to make a lever machine for the 21st century, done the best it can be for a fair price. I'm not paid by ACS and I do it for fun. I would certainly never want to be involved in any deception for a machine that was no good. Paolo does not get an easy time from me at all...which is why there was a big delay in getting the Evo out the door.

If that's a major concern for you...buy a Londinium. Then you can be sure that there are:

• 
  no hidden agendas
  
• 
  no hidden relationships with Londinium
  
• 
  everything is going to be good, excellent or better
  
• 
  There is a closed private forum for discussions and support
  
• 
  You can be assured of top notch service
  
• 
  The machines are built by Fracino (so easy access to spares)
  

If you decide on a Londinium R24 or one of the cheaper models, . You will get the same help and welcome on here as any other member. I would go so far as to say, if you have the slightest doubt about the Vesuvius Evo Leva, don't buy it, then your peace of mind is assured. It's a big purchase, so you want to be comfortable.

@DavecUKYou are a good man, thank you for all you have done.

 

[SL01]

Another reference point: a 3-group LSM machine being pulled at 0:42 in the following video. Note that even with the barista's left hand holding onto the front frame as leverage against the pull, the force exerted on the lever means some group movement can be easily detected and frankly, to be expected.

For me, the issue is settled.

 

[SL01]

There you go @Jony :

https://www.home-barista.com/levers/another-lsm-seal-changing-video-t73493.html

enjoy.

Thanks for the link, @MW11.

As I watched the video, I noticed that the image is actually flipped left to right. Therefore the direction of unscrewing the piston as shown is reversed. This means to unscrew, the tool must be turned clockwise in the hand when looking at the group from the front of the machine.

 

[SL01]

I heard from a guy who owns alex leva that he prefers the conical to the Monolith flat paired with his machine. ...

Heard the same thing so I added a variable speed motor to my HG-1 that runs between 0-350rpm. Using both stock and SSP 0187c sets, that should keep me busy and my darling wife happy for a while. In fact, the infinite possibilities are daunting and may take a while with the boss involved.

 

[SL01]

Yep he had a hg-1 too. I think you will appreciate it more especially with the new machine 👍🏻

Yes, sir!

The Evo is to me both proven tastiness AND a pillar of repeatability. The super low speeds the HG-1 can now do, combined the springs-defined nearly straight-line declining pressure should allow me to experiment with 2-pass grinds to get that last drop of syrup out of our medium to dark roast.

 

[SL01]

The last US customer is me. There are 3 US machines being made in the second batch it seems. I don't think there were any 110v machines in batch 1.

I paid the deposit for the first US machine on March 26. Paolo confirmed that I am 13th on the list. If you are the 3rd, I wonder who the second is - perhaps @MW11?

 

[SL01]

Nono, I mean I am the third 110v person on batch 2. My actual place on the list is next to last.

When I spoke with Paolo confirming my order position, IIRC he may have mentioned that there is an order from Canada, the only country other than the US and Mexico that takes 115V machines. I do not remember him saying if that order was in the first batch. He did count to #13 with my name next to it so I just hope it does not arrive on a Friday 🙂

 

[SL01]

Did you order a 110v machine as well?

Yes, my US machine order is for 115V and it will be delivered to me in the US.

 

[SL01]

What have I started?

I think the idea of pressing pins into the face should work. I had a special tool for removing the wheel bearing retaining ring on a Suzuki Jimny that was made like this and it worked really well. The rings were ridiculously tight.

I think pressing pins in versus cutting or milling the pins from a pipe is a much better idea.

When I look at the factory tool and the DIY ones, they were made from round stock. It may be obvious but that leaves the most important work - the leverage required to unscrew a tightly seated piston - to a pencil sized pin which may slip in the hole or worse, in hand, and although not catastrophic, it does not make the job easy.

Attached is a picture from a tool I have that does the same type of work - it torques down a part through rotation. The tool has a 6" long handle made out of flat 1/2" steel stock. The head is milled down to 1/4". At the end of the tool is a hole to insert a 1/2" drive torque wrench.

The same can be applied to a LSM piston tool - made from strong flat stock with pins of the right sizes pressed or simply screwed in. Length of the pins would be as long as necessary to the bottom face of the group head meets the top of the tool face. This tool then almost completely eliminates any chance of slippage or misfit. Works well in disassembly or re-assembly.

Unfortunately I do not have a shop or any machines so I cannot do this myself.

 

[SL01]

I'm not sure what we are trying to do with the piston so not sure it will work, but to hold smooth cylindrical parts I have a rubber tool which works pretty well, it's called the boa constrictor.

Sorry. Can't resist. Ouch! 😰🤣

Here is what my Boa Constrictor looks like gripping the 53mm Espro tamper.

The rubber strap that does the gripping is 18mm wide/tall. @Paolo_Cortese - can you comment on whether there will be enough room for the strap to get a firm grip on the piston going from from the top of the group?

 

[SL01]

@SL01a strap wrench. I have a similar thing a friend gave me for opening tight jars. Good call as might work in a pinch.

@Denis Swatched that video - see where going with that, but a bit overkill for me except perhaps when I've got time on my hands. Often I'm in a rush first thing with kids, or between jobs at work etc. I am interested in seeing results of the puck screen, particularly in a deeper basket if there is space above..

The model Boa Constrictor I have is quite a beast with the 18mm wide strap. I use 2 of them to free up and unscrew reluctant objects up to 120mm Ø.

However, the thick straps give good grip but not the most flexible to fit in tighter spaces or grip objects smaller in diameter. From what I can tell gripping the 53mm tamper, it's almost at the edge of adhesion. Compound that with the actual gripping surface, if it's less than 18mm wide, the grip would be less with an accelerated decline as the surface area decreases.

When it works, it's magic and a major contributor to blood pressure reduction.

 

[SL01]

I've been repairing the crate this morning in case I need it in future. I made two new legs to replace the missing ones (not sure if ACS list them as spares 😀) . DHL have ruined the case, I'll never get the scratches out 😄.

View attachment 58261

Pictured shows the rubber shock absorbing feet in place, they screw into the machine in place of the feet and hold it in place.

Really substantial, total package with machine was declared as 59KG.

@Norvin, would you mind measuring the overall W/D/H when the whole crate is assembled as shipped from ACS? I'd like to know definitely if I need to arrange a rental in case DHL requires me to pick it up at their depot. Thanks.

 

[SL01]

It's still in bits for storage, I measure 61Lx46W and assuming DHL have left the legs on H is 69.

Thank you! This is what I really needed.

 

[SL01]

2 hours ago, DavecUK said:

Yup this is how you want your coffee machine delivered

Our DHL drivers wear white glove, wingtip shoes and speak the Queen's English. There.

NOT!