Left is a Monitor, and the right is a Duo-Burn. I was surprised when the Monitor came that they do not have fold out legs, nor do the knobs upon which it rests appear to have been manufactured to accomodate legs. Both stoves needed some work: Obviously a cleaning and polishing, and both required the removal of the NRV to fix the leak. Note between the stoves, the wrench I made to accomplish this task(please note the patented NC industries booger weld at the tee that was custom engineered to twist and break when too much pressure is applied: A design intended to prevent stripping of soft brass threads) The Duo-Burn needed some minor soldering below the pump tube and posed no serious difficulties with legs falling off, fuel exploding 8) or important parts melting The Monitor needed a new riser tube seal, so I pried out the old one and replaced with a o-ring and it works great. The pictures I took of them burning were poor, so I chose not to post them in the interest of saving time. Both produced a bright deep blue flame, and a deafening roar! Satisfying indeed! 8) As you can see, they are not tabletop specimens but for NC's purposes they are perfect! All I need to do is fashion a plug for the Monitor from a 15mm brass bolt to keep kerosene in and water out while river travelling!
Hey, NC, Great finds, Lad!!! I'm not quite as adventurous as you, when it comes to my stove soldering! Maybe one day, you'll have to give me some lessons. But, in the meantime, wonderful new stoves, and congrats on having gotten them both! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
They are indeed great finds, at least for a Canadian stovie! Perhaps commonplace to the British stovies. They came from Britain though: Monitor cost about 8.50? and the Duo-Burn cost about 6.00?. Shipping for each was about 9?. Total of less than 30CAD for each. Not exactly a Doc Mark bargain, but very reasonable considering the journey they undertook. Not near so slow as my Irish ancestors and probably much more comfortable.! Both are almost complete: One is missing tin, both no prickers and the Monitor missing the travel tank plug. I was surprised to receive no challenge bids on the Duo-Burn, and very little opposition on the Monitor(far from junk) I am one Happy Camper though with these two! When funds permit me, and of course time... I would be happy to drive to CA and "exhibit" to you my limited soldering skills on some of your stoves filed in the "parts bin"!
Hi New Camper Wonderful brace of stoves! The prices you paid are certainly bargains. At the moment, British stoves, like the ones you won, do not attract high prices. I am not sure why, as they are fine stoves. The brass is good and they tend to have deeply engraved logos which are wonderful when polished. Any comments on the following items in the photo: Is that a box of nitrile 'O' rings? Is that on Optimus hand-warmer? Tell us about your home-made NRV key At the rear, I would call that wonderful contraption a 'donkey boiler'.
Hey, NC, Yeah, I'm with Trevor on this one. Let's hear more about the peripheral goodies in your photo, please! And, as Shag has so rightly pointed out, the British brass stoves are very nice, indeed. I have several of them, and they are all nicely made and well appointed. You DID get a fine bargain, too, NC!! Thanks, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
The thing that I like most about the British brass is the sheer thickness of them I have two Monitor 96's and I must admit that while they are quite heavy they are near bullet proof and far less prone to the dents than that of their Swedish counter parts. I also like the little knubs for feet. Evil
Can't say the box of O-rings are of the nitrile variety. Obtaining anything remotely to do with maintaining stove operation locally is like pulling teeth from a chicken; unless it is Coleman related... The "Donkey Boiler" I assume you speak of is the Mamod Model steam engine. It has appeared in a few of my other picture posts and has garnered such comments like "What the bloody hell happened to that mamod NC???" Was my dads childhood toy so it has been around. After recent repairs and soldering, it works like a charm! Interestingly all the items are sitting upon a wood/coal stove. We heat our house entirely with firewood. Labour intensive, yes... Cold in the morning... Usually; but the savings are incredible! Obviously it is not cold enough to fire the stove! That is an Optimus Handwarmer, that I have not required, oddly, in my outdoor winter excursions. Soon enough though when I age and circulation in my hands deteriorates. Wouldn't it be nice to redirect energy from other appendages to those used more??? Would solve two problems at once: Would increase circulation in the hands and would terminate, forever the "dirty old man" stereotype... I made the NRV tool from a bolt lying around, and a round bar for the tee handle. The bolt head was odd, and I cannot figure what use it would have served other than an ideal sized NRV extractor. Using NC industries patented booger welding process to attach the two, has been pressure tested to fail if undue stress is applied, thereby preventing stripped brass threads! Actually it was just a clumsy thing to weld! Using a angle grinder with narrow cutting wheel, I ground the groove. I dressed the groove and end up with a flat file and brought the gap diameter to suit the NRV head. Filed all the burrs away to prevent damage to the pump tube and had myself a free NRV tool... Minus the half hour I spent making it, but I needed it post haste so was not willing to wait and buy one... I noticed on my Meva #1 that the NRV is removed with a flat head screwdriver. Meva had fine ideas, to bad the brass wasn't as durable though... I am very satisfied with these stoves and the price, now how long do I have to wait for the 111 to become "unsought" after!
The 17b Monitor is also sturdy, not only that it's pump tube diameter is 17mm, the same size as a 2 pinter on a half pint stove . . . . Oh and the Top Brass in Britain is also very thick
Nice stoves NC I can see a trend emerging of stoves pictured amongst all manner of stuff designed to interest the avid stove collector . . . . . . unfortunately I think my collection of 1970's Penthouse ( bought purely for the editorial content ! ) has long since gone
NC, Reading this thread made me think of my own little 17b and the fact that I had been kinda neglecting it, in favour of the Primus 96. So, last night I decided to give the 17b an outing. Here it is just ready for coffee duties: This has a new pump leather courtesy of Sefa in Turkey, thank you Sefa. Just a few comments I'd like to make, if I may. Although the feet on the 17b are cuter than those on any Optimus I own, they are still a bit behind the Primus 96 in the 'cute stakes'. The 'captive' flame plate, however, is a BIG plus with this stove. How many 96 size stoves are there throughout the world, missing this vital item? Nice one Monitor. The 17b is also ever so slightly wider than the 96. At first I thought this was a negative, but now enjoy it, and it provides just that little extra stability for a wider pot too. The pot holders though, are a bit wobbly, listing a little away from the vertical. Anyone else got his problem with the 17b ? The pump handle seems a bit 'functional', compared with a Primus or Optimus one, but then, it is only a pump handle. Still if the Swedes could do it, then why not the Brits ? But a plus vote for the windshield . Simply, sturdy and it works. The 96 windshield in comparison seems like a piece of delicate metal work and I'm always afraid I'll damage its hinge, so usually avoid using it, which means a problem lighting the 96 in even the gentlest of breezes. Top marks to Monitor for the windshield Lastly, I love the tin !! It was the thing that caught my eye when I first came across the 17b on the 'Collectors Gallery' on the CCS site, and the moment I saw it, I knew that one day I'd own a Monitor 17b. And now you do too, Enjoy the Flame Spudz
