I have figured out what classic stoves i want to get, I want to get a Optimus 8R, and a SVEA123R. ok keep in mind i have only been aquainted with coleman stoves. so i dont know anything about these stoves so i have alot of questions! 1-what kind of fuel do they use? 2- what is a decent price for used ones? 3-what should i look for when buying used ones (known problems etc...) 4-are the new ones worth the price they are charging for them? hopefully someday soon i can get one, (after i get a job (laid off, rotten economy!) :frown: ) Thank you!!!
Coleman fuel/ white Alkylate petrol (ASPEN 4T)/Panel wipe. Whatever you are willing to pay. Usual problems include hardened filler cap gaskets, worn jets, trouble with the wick & graphite packing. There's a great tutorial on fettling an 8R in the Fettlers Master Class. Only if you are willing to pay it. Don't be in a hurry, there are plenty of examplea of these 2 stoves around. If you are willing to wait then your bargain stoves will turn up. Best of luck with the search almost as much fun as using them.
123 and 8R... What good choices you are making. But it is futility already being born, before you buy any one of them, because you won't be able to stop adding one more. Maybe you will have a dozen of each... Ask other addicts! They use white gas, and are self-pressurized. I personally feel buying the new ones at the current prices is just waste of time and money, especially you are looking for a user. If you are going to keep them unfired, I would go for older models. I was able to restore these stoves that arrived in various stages of disrepair--from alarming to so-so--and get good users out of them. For starters, the fuel cap seal and the button seal in the non-return valve on the cap dry up, and prevent the pressure from building up. Some of us are wary of messing with the spring loaded pressure relief valve on the fuel cap (under the pentagonal thingie), and just buy the whole new one from the suppliers (A&H and Basecamp). The fuel tank may have deposits that needs to be cleaned out, the fuel wick may replaced (there is a thread that tells you how), the burner stem may have carbon deposit that interferes with fuel delivery, the jet may need replacing. Sometimes, the burner bell and the flame spreader need tweaking, so that the flame will come out balanced. Often, the graphite seal around the spindle leaks, so you may need to pull out the spindle and replace the graphite seal. Or, it just may need tightening the stuffing box that keeps the seal pushed against the inside the spindle channel. If you are unlucky, the spindle's teeth that raises and lowers the cleaning needle on 123R and 8R (123 [and has no cleaning needle, and is identified by its down-sloping, thin spindle) may have been worn out. Or, the tip that shuts off the fuel outlet may have been misshapen, therefore leaking fuel through the jet, and not shutting off, when you turned the spindle all the way clockwise. Then you have to look for a non-existent rebuild kit. The only alternative is to get another donor stove, or beg other stovies on your knees, and they might send you one out of their stockpile. Another possibility (as is often the case), is that the previous owner tried to do a maintenance, and did not set the cleaning needle correctly, and the stove did not shut off. Maybe that is why the owner wanted to sell the near new condition 123R or 8R POS that you bought so cheap at the swap meet. In order to work on the spindle or cleaning needle, first you need to remove burner bell, then the jet. Then turn the spindle counter-clockwise to get the cleaning needle out. In order to intall the needle back into its place, first turn the spindle clockwise all the way, as if you are shutting the stove off. When you put the needle back try this: push the wire needle part into the rubber eraser of a pencil to guide it back into the burner stem hollow and for a better control. Do not put excessive pressure on it, so as not to damage it. Then count 4 (others count 3) skips over the teeth, as you are turning the spindle counter-clockwise. Then pull the needle down by turning clockwise all the way. Now replace the jet and the burner bell, and brew your first tea.
Bark gave you a great run down on what might have to be done..i have been lucky on a few Ebay wins and done nothing more that put fuel in and off they go..those stove are so simple and have so few parts that they almost run themselves-
thanks guys! I was also just looking at the "little injun" campstove they look like a neat little stove too! soo many stoves so little money....
The "L'il Injun" coilburner is really a novelty stove, rather than a reliable user like the timeless 123s and 8Rs. We have had interesting threads over the years about the various coilburners. That Injun will work, and it is fun to play with, but don't bet your life on it by any means. It's not in the same universe as the Swede petroburners.
Greetings, Ed's right. Those Lil Injun coil-burners are not well-made, and I remember reading here about how a forum member had the coils of his actually pop off, whilst he was using the stove!! Nasty problem, waiting to happen!! One of the only coil-burners I've found that is really worth using is the Swiss Borde. They can still be had for bargain prices, if you are willing to look for one. Or, buy one for around $150 on FleaBay when you next see it come around. Your choice. The only other one that you might consider is the Stesco coil-burner. I have three of them, and though not as well done as the Borde, they are head and shoulders above the Lil Injun, and other similar stoves, for quality! Two of mine are British-made, and one was made right here in the good old US of A, in Los Angeles! Very nicely done, too. For what it's worth, I'd suggest not using the Lil Injun for anything more than a conversation piece. Rather, get a Borde, or a Stesco, and use them in confidence that they will not rupture on you, and thereby turn an otherwise fun day into a real nightmare!!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
As Doc says, the Borde is a serious stove, though you will be amazed at how small it is. I have a number of Stescos and they all work well Another popular coil burner that also seems to work well is the Taykit.
suprz: hi, as i am not knowledgeable on this type of stove but have been collecting for over 40 years my advice is relax, do not be in a hurry to spend your hard earned cash. research, compare, and as you are doing, ask lots of questions of folks that own a stove that interests you, when you decide on the one you want and what quirks to look out for. keep in mind how you wish to use this stove and make certain the stove you pick meets the use requirements. then go to yard sales, swapmeets, etc.and once you decide on a type tell everyone you come in contact with what you are looking for, you will find one!. beware of ebay, is may be easier, but you may not be happy with the results, there is nothing like checking the item over before you buy. but above all don't be in a hurry and you will find what you want at the price you want, there are many of the type of stoves that you are looking for out there. happy hunting mike...
I agree, the taykit is a pretty solid stove, compact but on the heavy side for its size. Mine has never failed to work but then, not much to go wrong. It is not for delicate cooking, and works best for boiling water and heating pine tar on wooden skiis.
thanks for the heads up on the little injun stove. I just like it for the novelty. and of course how small it is. I would love to find a nice 8R out here but i cant even find coleman stuff out here! and there are few antique stores and such that even know what a camp stove is! It is very frustrating trying to locate stuff in the smallest state in the union! I think my first swede stove will be a 8R Now if only i could find one for less than one of my arms and one of my legs!!!
When I look at e-bay there are several things to look for to make sure they are all present. The most common thing to be missing from a 123 or an 8 is the flame spreader plate. This is the round bit of metal with 4 little arms that clamps over the top of the burner to spread the flame. The next thing i've noticed to be commonly missing is the key. The older 123's have a roundish sort of key with wrench cutouts. The newer 123r key is more triangular and has 3 hex drivers in it. Also watch out for missing pot supports on either an 8 or 123. I've also seen 8s on ebay with missing heat shields. Somewhere here Trevor has an excellent side by side photo of a 123 and a 123r that shows you exactly what you're looking for in each of the 2 variants. I personally recommend a 123 series first. Note i said 'first', not 'only'. Here is a photo i took of my 8r being ornery. (I was goofing around... seriously i just made this to scare my fire fighter friends) Now this is my idea of sub-prime!
Evening, Brother Trevor, You are absolutely right about the Taykit! Dang it, I forgot about that one! And I have two Taykit stoves, too!! Guess I really DO have too many stoves, if I can't even remember all of each kind! OK, I'm giving them all away to the first person that contacts me in the next 2 seconds!!! SORRY, TIME'S UP!!! (Psyche!!!) Thanks for reminding me about the Taykit, Shag. Yes, of course, it is yet another of the good coil burners. And, it, too, is head and shoulders above the Lil Injun. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
