Faema Ariete Zodiaco Espresso Single Group Machine 1970's (Coffee, Gaggia, Lever, Lambro). Thank you for looking at my coffee machine. Its a rather long description but I would rather you had too many details than too few. Get yourself a coffee and settle down..... I bought this espresso machine from a small restaurant that was closing down. It hadn't actually been used for 17 years and was a "feature" in their restaurant dining room. This probably explains its excellent condition and lack of wear and tear. Obviously it isn't perfect, but for something getting on for 50 years old, its in better condition than me. It has all its original parts, like the red plastic "griddle" for the cup warming tray and the original steam heated cup warmer, though neither are pictured. The serial number sticker does not enable the year of manufacture to be checked but the heating element is stamped 1975 and this year matches what I was told about the machine. It is two shades of brown, which is classic 1970's..... I know, I was there...lol Be aware, this is a plumbed in, manual fill machine, with no level control. YOU are the level control. That was the style then and that's why it has a nice big level gauge on the outside. Things were primitive and hands on back in the day. They are, in my opinion, far better built than most modern machines, hence surviving this long. I have enjoyed using it, there is something special about using a lever machine and I will be sad to see it go. I have invested a lot of time and effort in this machine and think it looks great. My wife, however, would like some of her kitchen back, as we only have a small kitchen and it is a substantial machine. Please look at the pictures closely, as they show the condition of the machine after and before the rebuild. The machine was stripped, cleaned and de-scaled 18 months ago. Every seal, gasket and spring was replaced, including the main lever spring, whether it was needed or not. (I have a bag of parts to prove and could probably dig out the receipts if required). The boiler was taken apart to inspect and as is usual for these machines, the bolts were seized solid. They were drilled out and replaced, as were the boiler gaskets and sealing rings. No issues with the boiler were found and it was remarkably clean. It is the same size as the one in the Lambro I believe and temperature stability is good, though like all machines of this size and type, it takes a while to reach optimal temperature. (25-30mins or so). I have probably used it for 2 coffees a day on average and it had a long rest before that, so has had a very easy life. Sometime in its past it was converted to a dual heat machine (retaining the original heating element) in the style of an early La Pavoni and it was manually switched between a "low" and "high" setting. I decided that I wanted automatic pressure control and so converted it back with an industry standard Sirai pressure stat. It has been used like this for 18 months without an issue. The original heating element is still being used. For safety reasons the pressure regulating valve was replaced with a new over pressure safety valve. Also at this time a vacuum breaker valve was fitted. I have fitted a new set of piston seals, as I had a set available, so they shouldn't need replacing for a good while. The group seal was fine, so the machine comes with a spare one. The original porta-filter, 2 baskets, tamper, coffee spoon and original steam nozzle are included The paint, chrome and brushed aluminium front are all original and are in very good condition. Please see the pictures, there are very few marks. If you require any other pictures, please let me know. (I wont, however, be disassembling the machine to take pictures.) The eagle eyed amongst you may have seen the gas connection at the front. This is a dual fuel machine but has NEVER been used as a gas powered machine. I can imagine it would not be very safe, but if you wished to run it from gas you will need to refit the old pressure regulating valve (it will be included) I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS AND YOU DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. This is quite a heavy machine, though I haven't weighed it so please don't ask how heavy, I don't know. It will need to be picked up as I will not be posting this machine. It fitted in my hatchback when I picked it up from the restaurant, took 2 people to lift (though it was easy) and was well worth the 300 mile round trip I feel. I would like the buyer to pick up the machine in person, so that you can see it and be completely happy. If you wished to see it running, when you pick it up, that wont be a problem, though you will have to take it home with water in the boiler, as there is no way of emptying it without dismantling it. You can have it picked up by courier, by arrangement, but I do not have any packaging or pallet and I will not be responsible for any damage accrued during collection and delivery. No matter how much you offer for packaging, I am not going to prepare this machine for delivery, I don't want the responsibility. Obviously, if being picked up by courier, it would have to be paid for, before collection, by bank transfer. I do, however, seriously wish to discourage using a courier. I've seen some machines damaged during delivery and this one is too good to be bounced or abused. For this reason please don't bid if overseas. Please remember, this is a 40 year+ old machine and I am not a business, I offer no guarantees of any kind. That said, I have had no issues in 18 months and am confident in the machine and the work done. I have sold a fair few machines with zero returns, but there is always a first time. As with any pre-loved item, I would recommend that it is PAT tested and checked over by a professional before use. Any questions, please ask and I will do my best to answer. I am, however, not an expert. I just like drinking coffee and am an engineer by trade. If you have read down this far you clearly have too much time on your hands, but I thank you for doing so. |
coldplayer
- Status
Faema Ariete Zodiaco Espresso Single Group Machine 1970's (Coffee, Gaggia, Lever, Lambro). Thank you for looking at my coffee machine. Its a rather long description but I would rather you had too many details than too few. Get yourself a coffee and settle down..... I bought this espresso machine from a small restaurant that was closing down. It hadn't actually been used for 17 years and was a "feature" in their restaurant dining room. This probably explains its excellent condition and lack of wear and tear. Obviously it isn't perfect, but for something getting on for 50 years old, its in better condition than me. It has all its original parts, like the red plastic "griddle" for the cup warming tray and the original steam heated cup warmer, though neither are pictured. The serial number sticker does not enable the year of manufacture to be checked but the heating element is stamped 1975 and this year matches what I was told about the machine. It is two shades of brown, which is classic 1970's..... I know, I was there...lol Be aware, this is a plumbed in, manual fill machine, with no level control. YOU are the level control. That was the style then and that's why it has a nice big level gauge on the outside. Things were primitive and hands on back in the day. They are, in my opinion, far better built than most modern machines, hence surviving this long. I have enjoyed using it, there is something special about using a lever machine and I will be sad to see it go. I have invested a lot of time and effort in this machine and think it looks great. My wife, however, would like some of her kitchen back, as we only have a small kitchen and it is a substantial machine. Please look at the pictures closely, as they show the condition of the machine after and before the rebuild. The machine was stripped, cleaned and de-scaled 18 months ago. Every seal, gasket and spring was replaced, including the main lever spring, whether it was needed or not. (I have a bag of parts to prove and could probably dig out the receipts if required). The boiler was taken apart to inspect and as is usual for these machines, the bolts were seized solid. They were drilled out and replaced, as were the boiler gaskets and sealing rings. No issues with the boiler were found and it was remarkably clean. It is the same size as the one in the Lambro I believe and temperature stability is good, though like all machines of this size and type, it takes a while to reach optimal temperature. (25-30mins or so). I have probably used it for 2 coffees a day on average and it had a long rest before that, so has had a very easy life. Sometime in its past it was converted to a dual heat machine (retaining the original heating element) in the style of an early La Pavoni and it was manually switched between a "low" and "high" setting. I decided that I wanted automatic pressure control and so converted it back with an industry standard Sirai pressure stat. It has been used like this for 18 months without an issue. The original heating element is still being used. For safety reasons the pressure regulating valve was replaced with a new over pressure safety valve. Also at this time a vacuum breaker valve was fitted. I have fitted a new set of piston seals, as I had a set available, so they shouldn't need replacing for a good while. The group seal was fine, so the machine comes with a spare one. The original porta-filter, 2 baskets, tamper, coffee spoon and original steam nozzle are included The paint, chrome and brushed aluminium front are all original and are in very good condition. Please see the pictures, there are very few marks. If you require any other pictures, please let me know. (I wont, however, be disassembling the machine to take pictures.) The eagle eyed amongst you may have seen the gas connection at the front. This is a dual fuel machine but has NEVER been used as a gas powered machine. I can imagine it would not be very safe, but if you wished to run it from gas you will need to refit the old pressure regulating valve (it will be included) I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS AND YOU DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. This is quite a heavy machine, though I haven't weighed it so please don't ask how heavy, I don't know. It will need to be picked up as I will not be posting this machine. It fitted in my hatchback when I picked it up from the restaurant, took 2 people to lift (though it was easy) and was well worth the 300 mile round trip I feel. I would like the buyer to pick up the machine in person, so that you can see it and be completely happy. If you wished to see it running, when you pick it up, that wont be a problem, though you will have to take it home with water in the boiler, as there is no way of emptying it without dismantling it. You can have it picked up by courier, by arrangement, but I do not have any packaging or pallet and I will not be responsible for any damage accrued during collection and delivery. No matter how much you offer for packaging, I am not going to prepare this machine for delivery, I don't want the responsibility. Obviously, if being picked up by courier, it would have to be paid for, before collection, by bank transfer. I do, however, seriously wish to discourage using a courier. I've seen some machines damaged during delivery and this one is too good to be bounced or abused. For this reason please don't bid if overseas. Please remember, this is a 40 year+ old machine and I am not a business, I offer no guarantees of any kind. That said, I have had no issues in 18 months and am confident in the machine and the work done. I have sold a fair few machines with zero returns, but there is always a first time. As with any pre-loved item, I would recommend that it is PAT tested and checked over by a professional before use. Any questions, please ask and I will do my best to answer. I am, however, not an expert. I just like drinking coffee and am an engineer by trade. If you have read down this far you clearly have too much time on your hands, but I thank you for doing so. |
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