Hi My big fat fingers have a pig of a job in starting the threads when re fitting a nipple on an Optimus burner or similar. i can manipulate it into position but find it a swine to rotate the nipple without knocking it out into the spirit cup or worse onto the deck !! I have a nipple key with a U/J but they are not too good for starting the threads. I had some spare thinking time at work today (about 8 hours ) I came up with the idea of using a small bore tubing, place the nipple into one end, then you are free to thread the tubing through the burner and spin it clockwise with your fingers until the threads have taken, then pull of the tubing and tighten with a spanner/wrench. Does anyone have any bright ideas ?
Find some one with small fingers to do it. I usually ask my daughter who is 13 to do these things for me. Si
Good on ya, mate! I use the same trick with a piece of 1/2" rubber hose to start spark plugs into the cylinder head when they're buried deeper than a gravedigger's arse! Now, here's a one up for you! Make a wire with a loop in the end, just the right size to fit around the tubing, so you can steer the jet into position, and hold it steady while you start 'er in, keeps it from flopping about like a drunk at a urinal! Murph
I've used a short piece of 1/4 inch tubing, and stuck a screwdriver on one end, and the object on the other. Works very well on sparkplugs, so-so on nipples. What I usually end up doing is using the index finger from both hands to get the threads started, then the flex wrench to snug.
"flopping about like a drunk at a urinal" I was worried who he was talking about but I use a tree or the lamp post. anyone read french ?
I like to use tweezers to hold the nipple while getting the first threads started. Stamp tweezers used by philatelists can be filed or ground down and the jaws bent to reproduce something close to nipple tweezers. https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/90355 These small roarers are always a pain for me, too. Might be some part of the reason I prefer silents! Good luck! Cheers, Gary
I have to ask my wife to start the jet into the threads. I can use the UJ tool from there. We need something just sticky enough to put into the UJ tool to hold the jet until we get in screwed in and then allows us to pull it off without gummin up the orifice. I'm gonna go start working on a brass magnet......
At first when I read the topic.. But it cleared after just one line.. I must wash my brain.......again.. Best regards Uffe
As a Pudgy Finger Syndrome sufferer I can relate. I'm liking the plastic tube idea. I used to get around it by putting the jet on a pricker then using that to hold it in place while I got it started with one of my fly tying hemostats.
a short length of small diameter rubber or plastic tubing has always worked well for me. I keep it in the kit box with the artulated key and washers etc.
Make sure the UJ on the tool is stiffish. Turn the burner upside down, the nipple does not fall out of the tool. works every time. Neil
