I am new to these stoves and quite a klutz in the shop but cannot resist shiny and not so shiny brass objects. I am drawn like a month to a flame and have a hoarde of pots, pans, kettles and such and now kerosene stoves. I recently acquired a 1936 Primus 210 which appears in serviceable shape once I replace the various washers. I have aquired a kit from Fettlebox and have noticed the tank to riser lead washer is slightly oversized. I am sure that is to make an excellent seal but to seat the washer I want to be careful not to bugger the tank threads. I am asking your advice for a poor novice in best doing this. I have thought perhaps I would take a drill bit, slightly smaller then the diameter of the threads, reverse it in a drill press with the blunt side down and using the drill press (off of course) to press and seat the washer into the tank. Is this workable or is there an easier method? I apologize in advance if this has been covered in previous posts. I have read hundreds of posts on this forum and am thrilled with the amount of fantastic information, sometimes overwhelmed.
The 210 doesn't have a lead washer fitted to the tank for the burner. There are 2 types of burner fitting for the 210 depending on age. If you have a male, tapered fitting that screws into the female tank, no lead washer is required. Earlier burners had a female fitting & the tank had a male boss. The lead washer in the kit is for these variants & fits in the female burner boss - not the tank. The kits also have 2 type of reserve cap washer to accommodate these variants - a simple, small washer for the female reserve cap that fits to the older male tank boss & a bigger washer with hole (similar to the filler cap but smaller ID), for the male reserve cap. It was simpler to produce a kit that covered the 2 main variants than individual kits. All 1936 one's I have seen have been tapered but it was mid 30's I think when the change was made. Which is yours?
Thank you so much ch for the information. About a year and a half ago I wandered into my local charity shop as I am always looking for "vintage" camping gear and I happened upon a mid-century fully working Optimus 45 for a few dollars. I took it t home and read this forum, bought some kerosene and fired it up. Unfortunately it worked perfectly. It soon became my favorite stove for backyard and camping. Reading the forum, the smaller stoves caught my eye for hiking and I began envious of the Primus 00 and the 210. Now I have managed to acquire three 45's, three 00's, a Primus 54 silent burner and now the 210. Most in various needs ranging from basket cases to a little work. I have sent for the large kit of parts and a few tools so I can attack these. Sadly I am hooked and now constantly smell of kerosene. Passer by's can hear muttered oaths while passing my garage and I dream of blue flames at night. I knew wth the Optimus 00 there is a lead seal for the tank and did not see one in the 210. I thought about seating one as I described but the spirit of ruined projects past whispered I better check. Again I appreciate the assistance and the prevention of a mistake. I am smart enough for what I did for a living but do not posses much mechanical aptitude so approach things cautiously. Another reason why I am much more drawn to kerosene over the volatiles which have gone wrong on me before.
