So I picked up this Europiccola because my old espresso machine OBVIOUSLY wasn't old enough and had too many electrical parts on it. This one dates from 1972 and these are the sellers pics.  The guy had a Buy it Now of $22 and $55 shipping from Italy... so I impulse bought it. I have been lusting over these lever machines for years but the $400 price tags always put me off. so far i'm into this one for a about $200, $40 for gaskets, the sight glass was $10 and the filter basket was $14. $20 for a pressure gauge and I had to buy a 110 plug.

Got it all cleaned and sealed up and it works fine, though it takes a little longer to warm up on 110V instead of 220V. Unfortunately I am still waiting for the filter basket to make my first coffee.

So who else is using a lever espresso machine? Any tips/tricks or advice?

I just use a DeLonghi EC702 15-Bar-Pump machine.  Works pretty well.

What beans do you use?

I make espresso from Jamaican Blue Mountain, Papua New guinea Peabury, Lavazza super Crema, Some Indonesian and a Portuguese blend called Nicola.

for sugar I really like La Perruche Pure Cane Rough Cut Cubes.

http://www.amazon.com/Perruche-Pure-Rough-Cubes-lb-10-50z/dp/B007O58268?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

I want a super-automatic machine. That looks like a pain in the ass.

Both types of machines are finicky.

I'm very happy with my Estro Vapore machine now nearly 20 years old. The brand is now Saeco. The self adjusting portafilter works every time no matter what the grind.

I have a really nice Saeco, but there's a leak somewhere now and i haven't had the time or patience to tear it down and fix it.

Hey, that's pretty cool. I haven't been lusting for one of those but at that price I'd jump on it.

OP, were you able to find a source for the drip plate and the La Pavoni brand for the front? Whatt about the porta-filter handle assembly? Was it included?

They still make machines like that and brand new they are horrendously expensive. Well over a grand.

 
Unfortunately, well over a grand really isn't that outrageous for even a semi-automatic machine.

Nope on the portafilter assembly, I bought a used cafeletta... and I have the plastic drip plate on there... eBay has the stainless drip plates but $35 plus shipping =no way.

No emblem for the front either.... all I've done is replace the sight glass and added the pressure gauge, but it's completely unnecessary once you learn how to use the machine.

I use a local roaster I found for my coffee www.bostoncommoncoffee.com,  his roasts are lighter than most... really good stuff.

Eta, I also picked up another newer version locally that came with 2 portafilter assemblies . but is a complete mess, looks like it's never been cleaned... that was $75