Category: conti prestina

This is the end,

As often, nothing particular to say, so pictures :

Still one for sale, don’t hesitate to contact me there

Pascal

 

 

Hello

Nothing particular to say so, pictures !

The beauty of this machine isn’t in his chrome sure. But I find it so beautiful… When espresso produced is so great what would you like more ?!

Nice weekend

 

Definitely not easy posting through here now, here are some details of ongoing work. Today the machine makes coffee, It only remains me to polish the stainless steel skins, reassemble the body, and it will be over. But you understand, I’m late here.

During reassembly of the water inlet tap I made some pictures. I really love this assembly. It is as firmly and intelligently designed as a tap at Unic. Except that in addition ergonomics for assembler has been very well thought out. No need to pick a hidden O-ring in a small hidden deep throat of a well … Here everything has been designed to be very accessible.

Here is the main button controlling the opening of the valve :

The O-ring guiding the piston of the tappet is first placed in a groove cut into the body. Once placed the copper washer maintain it. Just over, the v-seal makes the sealing of the piston, and everything is maintained by the cover. So obvious!

As often with the manufacturers, a gasket is used for many purposes. The valve O-ring above is the same as that necessary to seal the two bases of the water level tube. Fortunately I had ordered several.

The heating element comes from the catalog La Spaziale, “Professional” model. Big advantage for all since Conti doesn’t produce it any more. And big advantage for our American friends, as it also comes in 110v. Details of the seals I used and  hot water draw-off.

Not easy to fit a false steam/vacuum breaker valve with the OPV, not too much space…

Awesome this group, love it.

Nice Sunday, I try to come back very soon to talk about the end of this restoration.

Pascal

The time has come to start the restoration of a machine as I still never had redone, a Conti Prestina.

It is a 70’s lever machine, by the famous manufacturer Conti. The design of some point is quite simple, a welded steel frame, the quality is the same as for the Empress, the welds are not too nice. And also it probably could be more, as in design of the boiler cover, which brings together all the necessary connections to the operation of a machine in a small space.
I will do more comprehensive pictures of the assembly when I finish the beauty cover-up but it is really a very nice casting and machining.

The group design is very similar to that of Cimbali Eleva. It is composed of several pieces, brass, cast iron and steel. It is also a beautiful production, and an interesting design. I’m not surprised, moreover, that it is still produced by Conti, as is also the latest Faema lever group via the Spanish manufacturer Quality Espresso. It is connected to the boiler, but the long and airy link could give him closer characteristics to a thermosiphon, can not wait to try it to know. Machining treated, bearing assembly, it is already superb, but the ultimate luxury is really the sleeve with its hard chrome plating. I’m not always very fond of Conti but there, there is no doubt, it’s very beautiful. The bottom of the group, the female bayonet who carries the filter holder is removable. Well… use it til you need to replace would take a few decades of use …

The boiler is made of copper in one piece solderless, I think they were extruded, or maybe pushed back, not sure, but in any case here too there is no compromise on quality, this is beautiful material.

Once again this machine shows the poor interest of aluminum in coffee makers. The slightest leak, and more generally moisture, almost constant prevailing in that environment, always ends to weld the screws into the holes and makes very complicated disassembly, most often impossible without breakage. The flange is broken, I will have to find a replacement …

To be followed…

Pascal

Hello,

Became quite rare this espresso coffee machine is for sale.

It would be interesting to follow the restoration of a Conti Prestina isn’t it ?

Contact me there

Pascal