I have bought an old SVEA 123. I had one of these about 37 years ago and had to use a pricker when the jet became blocked a few times. it was leaded fuel then. this one has come with no prickers. i have been told that SVEA eventually built the 123 with self-pricking. !!!!!!!!! how do i tell if mine has this? the key is about 30 degrees down from the horizontal. where can i find serial #s on these? thanx for your help. i'll figure out how to put a photograph on this forum!
Greetings, AWC, If your SVEA 123 had a key that lists downward, as you say, then your's it the older version, the straight "123". The later version, the "123R" has the built-in cleaning needle, and for that convenience, you lose some amount of simmering control. both stoves are outstanding, though, and you can find prickers for your SVEA 123, if you look about a bit. Try A&H (linked to this site), and they can probably send you one. Good luck, enjoy your little SVEA, and welcome to the CCS forums! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark P.S. Not really any serial numbers on these little guys.
Prickers are easily made, no need to buy them. Get an E string (.006") from a music shop and a 10mm slice off the side of an aluminium baking tray and you are in business. When you cut the (steel) string, make sure you dress the cut so it's round instead of flat to maintain correct diameter.
I prefer the old style. They seem to prime quicker and burn hotter. The downside is I have not yet been able to fashion an adjuster key properly for the smaller spindle. Have made one that works on the 123R. You will soon love that litlle stove, I am sure. Regards, Hal
Hi AWC Welcome to the forum. 123's are superb little stoves - as you are in the UK your best bet for new prickers would be Base Camp, the forum sponsor who's link is at the top of the screen. Cheers
Jet cleaning tools are really easy to make. I bought a stainless steel brush from a hardware store. It is the usual wooden handle affair. I brought my micrometer with me to the hardware store and measured the bristles prior to purchase. Each bristle is about 0.015 inches in diameter and about an inch and a half long. I sawed the wooden handle behind the first row of bristles and upon whittling away the small piece of wood, found that the brush was made by driving a staple into the metal strands. After removing the staple, I ended up with many pieces of " U " shaped wire. I then took an empty beer can and cut the metal into strips about three inches long and a half inch wide. By folding this piece of aluminum in half, I formed a handle of sorts. Then I put a small dab of instant glue ( Crazy Glue ) inside this folded metal and glued the wire end inside. This resulted in two pieces of wire sticking out which makes two very easily used jet " prickers ". It helps to either weigh the things down with a book as the glue dries or else use a spring type clothes pin to secure them until the glue is dry. The cost of making about 40 of these things was almost nothing ( I volunteered to empty the beer cans ). Usually, I just carry a couple of them with me as they weigh almost nothing and cost about the same. Ken H.
For a functional, but not authentic key, take your stove to a clock repair shop and have them try some clock keys from the junk box. Shouldn't cost much. Gerry
Thanks Gerry, will give that a shot. I have 2 of the small keys now, but 3 stoves that need them. Having another would save me having to remember to grab a key from another stove if I plan on using one without. I think there is a House of Clocks on Hwy 99 just north of Lynnwood. I will try there. Perhaps that would be a good time to run you down for a mini stove meet? Hal
particulary the wire brush option from kah and the guitar string from nz mike. the chap at base camp was very helpful and as you say, has no trouble supplying them. but i'll try the home-made route first. i'll let you know how i get on. glorious weather here just now! i'm out for a picnic this evening. i'll see if i can get a shot of this thing in action! regards, michael
