While I've long collected campstoves, the bulk of my collection has been Coleman petrol stoves, they being most common 'round these parts. About 5 years ago, however, I came across a Primus 210 (1957, iirc) at a flea market, and took it home. Lacking good seals, I made do for a while, lead for the burner/primer cup washer, leather for the NRV pip and filler gasket. A burner shroud/windscreen wasn't in the kit, so I made one from an old stove pipe. It worked, but I couldn't trust the burner under full power with the meltable lead washer, and the leather NRV pip and filler gasket would weep slowly. Enough to see how it worked, but little more. A shelf queen she became. Fast forward to this April, and I find myself in Homer Helter's antique market in Naples, Fla. On the shelf was an Aida 100, tarnished dark brown, but seemingly complete, with tin, spirit bottle, prickers, pan ring and all the other bits. Again, however, many seals missing or damaged. $35 got it home. Finally got around to ordering some seals from the Fettle Box, and sat about polishing and removing hardened old seals from the stoves while I waited for the new bits. 2 weeks, 3 days later, they arrived. Ross, these seals fit wonderfully! It took about half an hour to get both stoves assembled with the new seals. 10 minutes later, there was a slight parafin odour in the kitchen, and a pervading soft Roar! as both stoves chugged happily along. I made one error in reassembling the stoves. The Aida uses a male threaded riser in a flat bottomed female boss on the tank. A flat washer seals it at the base. I overtightened the burner, cutting the washer. Luckily, the reserve cap washer from the 210 fit in its place, and the centre of the cut washer works fine on the reserve cap. Lesson learned. With these viton seals, the burner really only needs to be hand tight. Anyway, a couple photos are in order: The pair on the "safety tray", just lit. Flash prevents view of flame: Pretty good flames from both. The Aida's isn't quite symmetrical, and is tinged with colour from the freshly cleaned burner, but it cleaned up with time, and the symmetry should improve with some minor jet cleaning: The Aida's flame close up. Not too shabby! Aida's flame ring glowing merrily: The Primus, flame ring glowing merrily, home made burner shroud: Well, there! Now I have some practical, reliable classic brass keroburning 3 leggers. With luck, the 210 will come along on the odd hike, and the Aida will see use in car-camping. Stoves. They're fun! J
Nice job, great price on getting the stove. I've only used a tin can cut down for the windshield. Duane
Hey, Jason, Wonderful job, Sir!! Well done, and well found, in both cases!! I tried for an Aida, on the bay of evil, not long ago, but someone else tried a little harder, so...... You just never know WHEN you might run across a very nice and very usable/collectable stove!! It pays to look, and to look often!! Sadly, I don't have time for doing that, at least now right now. But, I still find some fun stuff during the times when I CAN get out and hunt for it! Again, very nice job, Jason, and have fun with those two lovelies!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Thanks, Doc. I'm a "slow" stove collector, the Aida is the first stove I've purchased in about 5 years, though a couple Coleman suitcases have fallen into my hands in that time... My collection stands now at: 2 x Coleman 4M Coleman 425 Coleman 500 Coleman 530 Coleman ApexII Primus Gr II MF Primus 210 Aida 100 Rogers M1950 Optimus 8R Pocket Rocket Coilburner Florence 2 wick Not too shabby. Need a 123(r) and a 96 real bad! In time, my pretties... In time. J
Hey, Jason, HikerDuane is right!! You NEED at least of the stoves in the 111 family!! In my order of preference, I'd suggest a 111T, a kero-burning 111, or the Coleman Fuel-burning 111B. Any of the three, properly fettled and used, will please you more than I can say!!! Good luck, and thanks for sharing you nice collection with us! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
(oh, I know I need a 111... And a 96, and, and, and.....) I've yet to see a stove (Coleman suitcases excluded) that I didn't purchase. They don't appear all that frequently 'round here... J
