I've been lurking for far too long and would like to take this opportunity to thank Stu (loco7stove) for his NRV tool and patient advice, Sefa for his kindness and pump leathers and Ross for the all- important washers. The story so far: Sitting in my cellar I discovered a Svea 123R which had seen too much petrol and not enough Coleman Fuel (don't ask!). This was the start of a mysterious new activity called Fettling. In response to endless searches on this wonderful site, I separated the burner from the tank (car oil filter removal strap did the job), refitted the wick and then given no real improvement in performance took the whole stove apart cleaning as I went. It still 'chuffs' a little to begin with and the flame pattern is not really symmetrical but I'm quite pleased. Could a new jet resolve the flame pattern or do I just stick a pot on top and enjoy? The next project was an Optimus 111 (Paraffin roarer burner) which was not discovered in the cellar but came from the Bay of Evil as I've heard it called. Safe to say it wouldn’t do much roaring. This has been a learning experience. It was totally stripped down, all the washers replaced, the filter extracted and cleaned, Stu's NRV tool saw extensive use and Sefa's pump leather replaced one that had seen better days. The results were fairly unspectacular but 20 or so heat and quenches later, tank cleaning and a fair amount of praying has resulted in the following: My question is for those of you who are infinitely more knowledgeable than me (and to give Stu more time in his shed and less time at the keyboard): I have some yellow streaks in the flame which mean that after 20 minutes of use the pot supports start to collect carbon: the Trangia kettle remains soot free. I can boil about a 600ml of water in about 3 minutes 45 seconds. Is this respectable or does this burner have more to give? How can I get rid of the yellow streaks? I’m guessing that the 111 is a late edition (no spanner clip in the case) because the NRV pip is of the moulded variety – definitely no sign of a brass pip holder which I’d happily purchase off someone with a spare. I’m not looking forward to replacing the NRV pip which I judge to be pliable at the moment. From the advice on here it could be a cut and superglue job. All in all this is a great site which is frequented by generous souls. I can now live out my teenage aspirations which at the time had to be satisfied by a Camping Gas Globetrotter and a Vango Alp (?) if I remember correctly! Tony
Hey Tony, that would be normal to have some yellow streaks. With the pot on the stove, it should burn with less or no yellow streaks at all. And the boil time is respectable. You should not worry much unless your are really in a rush to cook stuff since after shutting it down, it takes time to cool the stove off while enjoying a meal. Nice pictures. Cheers Ron
Hi Tony, welcome to CCS. You have two stoves with excellent flame patterns. I hope you enjoy using them. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Tony, as said the boil time is ok, I doubt you'll improve on that much. Regarding the moulded NRV, I have tried to cut the worn end off, but failed to cut it square, making matters worse. I now cut a new pip, and just rest in on top of the moulded rubber, when reassembled, the spring holds it all together. Try it first.
Hey Sam, welcome to the site. Nice stoves, I'm patiently waiting on a 123 sold to me by one of the good members here myself. I do have to inform you though, one newbie to another; You're hooked me lad! Once you get a taste for these little stoves, you can't get enough of them. Hey, it could be worse, your hobby could be collecting vintage cars!
Welcome aboard the Ship of Pyros(Tm), Sam. You are not so much hooked as played, netted and boated Nice job with your stoves, they look like 1st rate runners who will do you very well. Like many (now including yourself) I have both of those, and both have their own place in my heart, tho if you prodded me with red hot NRV tools I'd probably name the 111 as my all time keeper, tho the 123 looks sooooo good under my coffee pot....aw hell, see how it goes? Do you have a 123 tattoo yet? You'll know it when it happens! The vast majority of my teen/20's camping saw my Globetrotter on kitchen duties, I would have persisted with it a lot longer if I could have still got the short cartridges. I got it when I was 13 and gave it away just the other day, less pots, 33 years! By happy chance do you still have your Globetrotter? Hope so, the pots will house your 123 beautifully, tho you will need a sock or custom made bag to stop it rattling. It's a common and well regarded retrofit. You're going to like it here.
Hello, Welcome to the forum!!! Nice flame shots too. The bit of yellow could be a number of things. A slightly worn jet will do that. Or just old junk in the tank. Cheers, Jeff
Tony, I would be pleased with the flame patterns you are getting, the chuffing you are referring to from the Svea is common and may just disappear after the burner stem heats up enough. I would suggest a double preheat with alcohol the next few times you fire her up. My only suggestion is to shield your stoves from strong side winds. Have fun while you are here and make room in your house for more stoves...they seem to breed on their own! Do you have a case for your 111? Chef
Hi Blacksmith, You're correct. I am hooked I've added an 8R and a Primus Number 5 to the collection and have now set myself the task of picking up something cheaply at a source other than ebay. The junk shops of Kent will be blitzed! Don't mention cars: I've owned Morgans for the last twenty years or so
Hi Ron, Thanks for the flame streak information. I'm a perfectionist at heart and this will stop me fettling myself into an early grave. My only concern was a small coating of carbon on the case pan supports after 20-30 minutes of disturbing the neighbours!
If you're typing with your nose, a 123 Tattoo is probably the burns you receive when leaving the key attached to the spindle? The Globetrotter is a fond memory of youth only: I have a clear memory of being camped on the side of Glyder Fawr in Snowdonia, N Wales as a seventeen year old and cooking sausages with the Globetrotter. They must have been very small sausages indeed given the size of the nestling pan set
Hi Jeff, Thanks for the advice. The tank was very clean (inside and out) so I'm tempted to play with the jet. Am I right in thinking the 8R/Svea123R and 111 (keroburner) jets are the same? Tony
Kerophile, Thanks for the flame pattern comments and as you correctly state, the proof is in the using. Regards, Tony
Cheers Gordon, The moulded NRV pip is such a backwards step and was a massive disappointment when dismantling the NRV for the first time: something I wasn't expecting. Give me a brass pip container any day. Tony
Not much chance on the locomotive front but if I start fashioning an axle and wheels for the 111 I know I'm in trouble . Tony
Hello yes you are right. It can't hurt to have a spare jet. Basecamp is the only supplier I know of that has those jets. But they pop up on eBay from time to time. Cheers, Jeff
So, who is going to be evil and introduce this chap to lanterns? None of your Tilley rubbish obviously, I would suggest a nice Coleman 242C or possibly a 220E....
