Much to my amazement, I was the sole bidder on ebay on this Optimus 111 (can't readily fathom which in the series from the photo) - pic courtesy of the seller The bidding start price was 14.99 GBP and since I could see the tank had taken a few knocks, put in a maximum offer of just a couple of pounds more, just as a token gesture if anything. I've had encouraging results from the electrolysis dunking rust-removal technique of late so didn't find the prospect of tackling the acres of rust as off-putting as fettling the lumpy tank. I wonder too whether I can detect from the photo that the retaining clip doodah in the base pan to hold the burner when retracted has come adrift from its spot welds ... Embossed case is nice! Someone in a post recently said not to knock ebay because the bargains are still to be had. Along with the example of that bargain in "... so what can you buy for £30 these days?" I think the evidence is there. Cheers, John PS. Must admit, my first reaction was "Oh no, not another. Glad to own them, but sorely short of storage space. Whatever, those 111's stack darned well.
Well, somebody had to buy that one I think it's the second or third time it's been listed now as it didn't sell before. I was tempted myself but have plenty to be getting on with for the time being I like the rough ones as you get more satisfaction when they're all cleaned up and running and the dings in the tank mean you have a user that can be left in the boot of the car and not have to worry about some oick nicking it and as I said before a bargain is a bargain Look forward to seeing the fettled pics, mate. Is it time for you to read up on electrolysis as that will clean the case up with minimal effort on your part? My last rust bucket cost £13.50
Spot on parra on all counts. Yes, I've a usable electrolyis set up, thanks to an old (pre-electronic era) battery charger I last used (in its 6-volt mode, moving a 5-amp fuse to one of two sets of clips for 6 and 12 volts) on a Triumph T-bird bike way back when. That, and a washing up bowl of washing soda solution has done the trick on a few stove and lamp finds of late. Recalling O-level physics, it's converting the oxide to a metallic form (magnetite I think) which after a light wire-woolling creates a rust-proof base for the paint process. I'll gladly take up the invitation to feature the fettle with a set of pics, including the Wipac charger fired electrolysis bath. Mind you, there are loads of awesome renovations featured on the forum, so it'll be a suitably modest effort. Hope the NRV's not stuck and I avoid pump-tube removal, which I've found on the occasions I've had to do that is a bit of a pain when it goes for the pressurised dunking test and a thin stream of tell-tale bubbles testifies to soldering shortfalls. Cheers, John
Hi John, Pump tube removal I have an Opti 11 that I am still trying to psyche myself into doing. I bought the bits n bob's to do it with but I really haven't got the bottle to try it so it will probably be sent away to a very kind stovie who offered to do it for me, but only on the condition that it becomes part of his collection. As like a couple of my stoves it should be in the hands of a fitting owner and not a bodger like me.
Hi Parra. I've just taken a look at your hilarious and disarmingly honest post on your grief with the Opti 11 NRV, then nipped to the gallery shots to remind myself of the location of the pump on one. I see what you mean, and the seam of the tank end cap isn't a mile away either. Well, maybe I was too modest before because I've conducted a couple of successful tube removal and replant ops, one on an Opti 111, another on a Primus No.5. However, and it's a big 'however', I'd hate to mess up a beaut like the Opti 11 classic. Seems a bit tough on you to have to part company with it to get it fixed. I'd give it a go for free (well, maybe a pint or two if the opportunity arises), but would sweat buckets with the anxiety! Cheers, John
I'm not keen on seeing it go but as they say in hot fuzz "for the greater good" and besides which, the stovie who offered to help is a gent and has seen me right a few times. Also I swore when I trashed my Borde and then binned it that if ever it happened again and I can't fix something then I would give what ever stove to someone who can so that it can live again better that than stove heaven. Edit when i said earlier "only on condition that it becomes part of his collection" that was my condition he knows nothing about this before anyone gets the wrong idea.
Well said and noble with it! Mercifully, I've not fettled something to death as yet, but have hit the buffers in not being able to put something into usable condition. I've an old Svea 40 that required no fettling other than a replacement NRV pip - the pump tube goes in at one side of the tank and emerges at the other side, so it's easy to replace. I was as chuffed as anything to pick up another Svea of a slightly newer vintage with a silent burner and assumed it would soon be hissing away alongside its roarer sibling, but when it arrived in the post I could see what I hadn't spotted on the auction site pics, that it had a tank full of stress cracks. It sits there in my shed and every time I catch sight of it I resolve to invest in a POR 15 tank sealer kit but since they're pricey enough to warrant a shed full of stress-cracked tanks to fix, I haven't as yet. Bravo again on your 'greater good' stance on the Opti 11. Cheers, John
Rustbucket II - Judgement Day I promised to post an update on the fate of the rustbucket I featured in a recent post:- {admin: link to recent post removed & topic merged} Ok, here goes ... I set myself a target by putting Rustbucket alongside a better example of a kero-burning Optimus I have Right, let's have a closer look ... irregular flame pattern I'll bet with that flame ring! UFO? Web browser in the burner Burner assembly, tank removed, (will be removing the pot supports next) how's the case then? Well at least it's got the spanner (wrench) Not much of the pump cup left ... ... but Sefa to the rescue with his magnificent pump leathers Gauze in the burner is buried deep But a long, thin crosshead screw extracts it neatly Spindle gear teeth good, pricker rack sound too As usual, filler cap seal has lost its flexibility, somewhat! Before the messy bit (be warned, not for the squeamish) I'll take a break here and brew up on ... what's that lurking in the steam? ... and who's the guy drinking tea in the shadows? Yup, me and another favourite 'stove in a tank', a Primus 41, silent burner, crackle-finish paint I said 'not for the squeamish'. Still reading? Ok, let's zap that rust! Here's my set-up for an electrolysis bath. Rustbucket goes in a bucket, but another project might warrant a different plastic container to fit the object and another arrangement for the anode - here it's a piece of angle iron suspended on a coach screw driven in a drilled hole, dangling from a wood lath. Washing soda solution goes in to the brim of the bucket as the electrolyte, electrical power provided by an old (non-electronic) car battery charger. A closer look at the anode arrangement. Positive (red lead) is the anode, negative (black lead) is the Optimus 111 case. The anode 'sacrifices' metal which is deposited on the case as magnetite, a porous black metal-rich compound that doesn't degrade and (suitably burnished with wire wool), provides a great base for paint. In the process, rust (and paint residue) neatly lifts off the case and makes its way to the anode and surface of the electrolyte - well, I've pictures later on to illustrate. Before I dunk the case in the bucket, I take a look at the best remaining patch of paint on it and hold it against my healthier Opti 111 specimen to check the colour - green and not blue I think. Must check out the Stove Reference Guide, but I've seen that variation in there. Oh yes, I scraped a bit of flaking paint off to take along to the paint shop for a match. Look away NOW if you find this distasteful Hours later (it's been stewing overnight) I put on the protective gloves, cut the electricity, remove the anode and haul out ... what exactly? Shrunk to an Optimus 8R size maybe? ... TO BE CONTINUED
Awwww, now, John!! Just when I was sucked in, you paused for a commercial message!!! RATS AND MICE!! Man, that's one nasty case. I'm looking forward to seeing how all this turns out, though. Do I have time to whip up some popcorn (don't eat that stuff, actually) and a beer, whilst I await the further adventures of Stove Smut?? Good report, John, and I'll check back later to see if you've added to it. Or, whenever you do continue with "Part 2", I'll look forward to enjoying it. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc (PWFPTTB!) ["patiently waiting for part two to begin")! 8) 8)
Sure thing, Doc. Next gripping instalment and all that will be ... ... after I've taken update photos and (since it's 11.30pm in the UK right now) hauled myself off to bed knowing I've an early call - on call - and another week, another dollar. Seriously, I'll get an update posted as soon as possible. Good to have that update on the Station fire, glad you're all ok, but truly appalled at the loss of those guys and the damage needlessly caused. Dreadful. All the best, John
That's one busy electrolysis bath! What are you using for current source (battery charger??) and electrolyte? Edit- Disregard the questions! I went back and read more carefully. That's good action with the soda and battery charger! Good stuff John!
This is one of the best fettling posts I've see in years. I have a feeling we will see a brand new stove very soon
Reminds me... I need to get a leather for my Radius 43B soon... need to get the details of the seller. Looking forward to the next episode of this series. P. Lynn Miller Sydney, Australia
What a mess! I'm interested to see what you come up with! I wonder if those stoves had a steel tank (in like condition to the rest) and not a brass one if you'd even consider working on them?
Better than a Spencer Tracey serial any day!!! I also have a 111 that looks just like that but with the addition of a broken hinge. It came without pump rod or fuel cap, but those I have. Excellent step by step for the 1st time fettler! Cant wait for the conclusion, hopefully with a non standard paint job...
How in God's name did the flame ring end up like that! It would take a determined attack with a small hammer to damage it so. Are you planning to use filler for all of the pitting on that case.
