Hi all! My long and irregular Craigslist hunt for a classic stove other than a Svea 123/123r has finally paid off. I just picked up this Primus 210 last week from a fellow here in California who bought it in an antique store in England in the 1970s and hadn't fired it since. My reading of these forums indicates that it's from 1934. All the key parts appear to be there, including a lovely windscreen, the lighter tube, and the lighter tube clip. There's Primus and Sweden branding on nearly every part. The metal case isn't in great condition but the graphics are still mostly there. The stove also came with the original jet nipple key, the original instruction guide, and two prickers: an Optimus and a Burmos. I'm new to kerosene burners and this is going to need some fettling. The air screw was initially seized but a bit of oil got it moving again. I'll likely have to replace the reserve and filler cap washers and I feel confident enough to do that. I've already oiled the leather cup washer and the pump seems to be pressurizing the tank; however, with enough pressure the pump slowly expands back out. As I understand it, that means NRV issues. I'd love some advice on NRV work. I know I'll need to get a NRV key. When I get it out, what is likely in need of replace in there? The pip? A washer? The spring? Should I just buy a replacement NRV? If I do, is there anything I should be aware of in installing it? Thanks for the help!
Welcome to kerosene. I love it. I believe you are correct on your fetters get assessment but will leave the details to the experts. I am still learning. I have a 210 that is not as nearly complete as yours but is my main jeep stove. I ended up replacing the seals as you mentioned but lucked out on the NRV. You will really enjoy this stove.
@Manzanita You might have to take the NRV out of the bottom of the pump tube, and, on these old Primus No. 96s, it can be a a real b@astard! So, try this first: 1. Clean the pump tube so there's no gunk in it; 2. Half fill the pump tube with kerosene and push the kerosene into the tank using the pump; 3. Repeat a few times; Now test the NRV by pressurising the tank again. Let us know how you get on. Cheers Tony
I have good experience with cork pips that just beginning to work again after some soaking in kerosene. If the NRV is hard to get out, I would try to just let the pip get wet again. Fill the tank, pump just a little so there will be some kerosene going through the NRV. Wait some days in hope.
@Tony Press and @afoton Thanks for the advice! I hadn't read about that method in any other place yet. I'll give it a try in the next day or two. @MartyJ What's your preferred source for the seals? @IvanN Looking forward to seeing how it works in practice.
I have bought all my seals from Fettlebox and have been pleased with quality and service. You can get some things through the eBay stores but I have dealt directly with Fettlebox seeing no need to pay eBay when I can deal directly with a small business. He offers discounts for forum members but I have not used it yet. I doubt if there is much profit in the stove part businesss. I, at first, just bought a few seals when I got a new stove but got the fever and ended up with several. So I ended up buying a master kit as I never know what I am getting next and all stoves seem to benifit from new seals.
