just grabbed these off the bay for 99p they look like replacement inserts for a svea 123 folding pricker did any one else make this type?
Sorry if I'm hijacking your thread Bill but, while we're talking about prickers... I've trashed all my prickers but, before I buy some more, is there any reason I shouldn't just fit a new wire cut from a wire brush? They seem the same size and stiffness and I have an almost inexhaustible supply. Cheers, John
Hello, I have thought about making some prickers from a welding brush as well. The size is perfect for kero jets. But I worry about the wire brush metal being too hard on the soft brass jet. A brass wire would be better I think. Not a 100% sure though. Sorry Bill. Jeff
Hi Parra, the British Manufacturer of blowlamps, Bladon made very similar folding prickers. Hi John and Jeff. The original prickers all used steel wire for the business end. I would be surprised if softer materials like brass would be stiff enough for this application. Provided the wire is of smaller dimeter than the 0.23mm, or 0.32mm of the relevant jet aperture, there is nothing wrong in replacing the wire as you describe, IMO. It is only with prolonged use that you are likely to cause excessive wear of the jet aperture If you have to "prick" the same jet on a regular basis, there is clearly an underlying fault and it is time to remove the jet and flush out the burner and tank. Best Regards, Kerophile.
hi George thanks for the info i don't know if these will fit the 123 jet but nothing ventured nothing gained and 99p it seemed worth the risk atb Bill
Hi All. I tend to re-make mine with unwound guitar strings, that way you can get different gauges. The strings cost 50p each so it is cheep and you get a hell of a lot of pricker from a three foot string. Si
Thanks Kerophile. I thought about it after I reread my post and I think your right about brass wire not being stiff enough. And one shouldn't be pricking a jet that often your right. Great deal at 99p Bill. I need to get some of this style of pricker. Cheers, Jeff
Hi Gents This thread is serendipitous as I was chatting with Doc Mark about this subject the other day. Personally I find it frustrating to spend up to $2.50 for a single pricker when it's just a tiny wire in a metal handle. It seems really wasteful and I'm thinking that these prickers aren't going to be made forever. Once these stove consumables are gone, they're gone. For our use and also for history. What we really need is a "wire holder" that functions as a pricker. Examples of such devices can be found in the Paraffinalia section of the Gallery. Here are two that I like a lot: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/11701/ https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/9285/ I figured I give the Ideal Pricker a go and came up with two halfway decent models. The pricker wire shown in these examples is phosphor bronze high "E" guitar string from Martin Guitar Company. Suitable wire in both 0.23mm and 0.32mm sizes are available from McMaster-Carr in 1100' coils for $10-15 per coil. Available in steel or stainless steel for those prices. Anyway, since this *is* the Fettling Forum, I hope this will inspire others of you to make your own prickers. If I buy the wire from McMaster I'll let you know and I will be happy to share. (It's a several thousand year supply for me!) Cheers, Gary
