Has anyone ever removed a brazed Optimus 111 pump tube? I am in the process of repairing a tank (the NRV rotates freely in the bottom of the pump tube - it's knackered). I had a rough spare tank which had a soldered pump tube. Using one of Stu's (loco7stove) pump removal tools and a propane torch, it was easy to remove. But when I attempted to remove the broken pump tube from the other tank it would not budge. Is it brazed? If so can someone guide me through removing it? Cheers Tony
I bet Stu or Kerophile will step in....I think between the 2 of them...there is nothing that hasnt been fixed..
Hi, John says he removed and replaced the pump tube on an Op 111 in this post: https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/116396 I have done the same thing on an Op. 11 for Parra and it was definitely soldered. Doug produced a great post on pump tube removal/replacement on a Op. 22: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/pump-tube-removal-and-nrv-rework.6371/ I will check my Op111s later to see if they are all solder attached pump tubes. Best Regards, Kerophile.
... I think I have, in my collection, both soldered and brazed tanks for my 111s. I shall have to study up how to remove a brazed pump tube! Tony
Hi, you posed a good question Tony. I have just checked 6 Optimus 111 tanks to see what has been used to attach the filler spout and pump tubes. I used a Jewellers eye loupe and the point of a sharp penknife. I scratched the jointing metal to see whether it was lead/tin solder ( soft, silver coloured, and shiny) or Braze metal ( harder, golden coloured and also shiny on the cut) I examined all six tanks. In every case , for a given tank, filler spout and pump tube shared the same type of jointing material. Four of the tanks has Lead/ Tin solder joints. The remaining two had brass-colured braze jointing metal. One of these tanks was in an Optimus 111B stove, The other came from an Op.111B but is currently installed in a Primus/Optimus hybrid Frankenstove. One possibiility is that Optimus utilised all-brazed joints on Op 111 gasoline/petrol fuelled models, and Lead/Tin solder for their Kerosene/alcohol models. Certainly both Swedish and British manufactureres tended to use all-brazed contruction for their gasoline/petrol fuelled stoves such as Pr. 70/71, Op.80 and Lamb stoves. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Most certainly brazed on this Optimus 22B and I think Kerophile's reasoning that brazing was used on the 'B' (petrol fuelled) versions is sound. John
So the question remains, how to remove the tube. I am sure propane won't do it, maybe mapp gas or a grunty blow torch would work. It is likely that the tank mounts will detach with the heat but they are easy to reattach.
A propane torch will easily de-solder the pump if it's a paraffin model & if you're not too happy about doing it send me a PT & i'll give you a hand Stu
Morning gentlemen! Never had the misfortune of this. I am assuming the thread is stripped. If the Thread is gone on the NRV you might be able to nip hold of it with a pair of long artery forceps (Kellys) and gentle pull and unscrew? Add to this a push from behind through the filler neck with a stiff bent wire? Maybe even pressurize the tank with an airgun might get the NRV to start to engage? If the thread in the tube is gone then, as you were May the Force be with you! B
This problem is similar to why I needed to learn to solder a pump tube off/on. The tutorials here were all I needed to do the job. It even covered what to do when a leg fell off, which did happen. Ken in NC
Hi, here are some links to early "How To" posts: https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/30916 Best Regards, Kerophile.
It is always a good thing to seek out the wise... The problem is solved (see below). Thanks everyone for the advice and assistance. In discussion with Stu (loco7stove) he suggested that I might check the thickness of the washer on the NRV. This led me to take a closer look down the pump tube with a pencil light. What had happened is the last lead washer had adhered to the bottom of the pump tube. It would allow the NRV to "engage" but then disengage on attempting to tighten further. I fitted a thinner washer and was then able to tighten the whole thing up properly! In the process I have leaned a few things: I can take out and put back a soldered pump tube; Optimus 111s have both soldered and brazed tanks; and most of all you are all a great bunch of people in helping others. I am also inspired now to go and find a skilled instrument-maker to teach me how to braze properly. Cheers Tony
Hi Tony, I'm glad your stove pump is now fixed. Here is a link to some background on brazing: https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/237639 https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/237663 Best Regards, George.
