I had to test the new vaporiser tubes / lipsticks popping up on ebay, and ordered the cheaper USD 29.90 from Korean ebay seller kr-gill. The maker UNICUS also supply other new made stove parts. The letters U and K is on top of the jet. My test stove is a Fifties Optimus, burning nice and blue with its own lipstick. With the UNICUS, it burns richer and quite a bit yellow, still within my limits before starting peening on an original lipstick. I think I might be tolerant on this though. The machining is very good, fits the stove and seals, no issue. Noteworthy is the fibre seal under the hex for sealing against the rim of the female threads on the tank. There is of course a lead seal down where it should be, and I do not know exactly what seal works. No testing on that yet. The UNICUS is machined from one piece of brass. The bell fits also good on the lipstick with the top of the jet about where it should be. The jet is almost the same shape as a regulating stove jet, but the machining is slightly different. Noteworthy is also the pricker included; sad to say my micro meter is out of battery. The pricker fits the jet. However; when trying the UNICUS pricker on the original Optimus lipstick – guess what. The UNICUS pricker will not fit the Optimus lipstick, it is too thick. So, the UNICUS jet has a wider aperture than the original Optimus. And this makes sense in terms of the yellow flame. original lipstick UNICUS All the best, e
Thanks for the report @tofta I see that the seller says the nipple size i 0,254 mm. How about heat transfer from the brass vaporizer to the tank compared to original vaporizer ? I think I'll order one when they are relisted. I have a tank in need of a burner. Bjørn
@boknasild I was running at about half full tank, a tiny bit left and added 1 dl /100 ml. The stove behaved normal, no change in the heat going to the tank as I could judge. The plate got nice and red and the rim of the bell slightly red as well; not going full tilt. I think the roar changed a bit. The 0.254 jet aperture is probably right, though I would have said it was a bit more judged by flame colour. Why they did not make it 0.23 I do not understand. This lipstick is a tiny bit heavier, but my little dealer scale has a dead battery too. The wall of the tube is a bit thicker. The outside of the tube is slightly angled to meet the bell. The inside looks to be straight and tapered. I tried to fit a Swedish .30 jet, but the threads are slightly off. And lastly the combustion was good all though too yellow flame, no unnormal exhaust smell in my kitchen. All the best, e
I believe the kero smell on mine was when I tried to get a simmer and the flame went out, then had vapor exiting before I could relight the burner. Try a low flame, see what you get. I tested mine in the house. Also wondered if the jet could be changed. Duane
What I'm curious about is who is making these and why? Just interested that somebody has identified and made such an arcane part for an arcane market.
@Ed Winskill I suspect we at CCS as members and posters are probably the tip of quite a large iceberg of people with an interest. Probably also evidenced by the good market for second hand 96's. Unless someone here is buying them all.
Cannot have enough of those 96s. Just fettling a nickel 1936 Sport at the moment. Just need to peen the nipple.
I have 29 different years of the 96's. All work, the '19 nrv has a slight weep. Keep my fingers crossed if I have to remove one. Duane
Hello tofta. My Korean vaporizer works also. Note: Fiber washer does not seal alone. Waiting on a lead washer from fettlebox but I temporarily used an o ring instead. The supplied pricker fits my factory jet hole, however I peened mine so it would burn blue. Mine is obviously larger than yours. (No pun intended). Here is a pic of mine running with the new tube.
@Mark Layman Thanks for the info on how this thing seal. About size … you might be surprised … It would be very interesting to know more on how you – if I understand correctly – peened the jet. A sweet Optimus No 96 you have there with a beautiful flame. @hikerduane I did not simmer for long and only after the flame plate was good and red, you are right in this yellow flame will get nasty when running low. But you have a nice blue flame there under the pot, have you also been fiddling with the jet aperture? @Ed Winskill There are a few Korean and Japanese makers of new parts - and also tools - for our beloved stoves. I cannot exactly tell you who and why, but I will guess there is something about a genuine interest I stoves. And I hope they make enough money to at least enjoy a favourite drink, when looking at the blue flame. There is also this guy, in Florida I think, making jet keys. Personally, I have bought a couple of NRV keys from the East, a few silent caps, a spanner like the little one for a 111, and probably more; also have the Florida jet keys. All the best, e
Well tofta. Original vapor tube was way oversize. I could run a Bernie Dawg XGK cap on it no problem. Very yellow with spreader. Gary, (Bernie), sent me an email explaining how to peen it. I used a small chasing/ engraving hammer and basically just worked around edges and on top till I could just barely fit a pricker. Easy Peasy.
@tofta, I need to try this on another stove or bell. I have only fired it a couple times. Agree to get things hotter maybe, but then, why, if originals don't require special attention. Will try a simmer with original parts. Who in Florida is making parts? Duane
