I just picked another Turm 38 of of the bay for a great price. Of course I knew what I would probably get and so it came to pass when it got here. It was painted a silver which I knew wasn't right but stripping and paint isn't a big deal. So the first question is: I've seen these stoves in a hammered textured blue and green. Is there a color that you use to repaint? Is it a high temperature paint? Next question and this is the one that interested me the most. I have a Turm 38. Burns great and the stem, fuel tube and everything is brass. I stripped the paint off of this stove and the fuel tank is steel. I never would have thought! The stem, fill top is brass. A magnet proves this! Is this typical? Some are all brass and some are a combination? Ok, next question, as you can see from the pictures, there are 5 pin holes in the tank. What's the best way to seal them. I was thinking Caswell's or maybe POR15 for gas tanks, but the issue is how would I plug the "drain hole" at the bottom so it doesn't seal up. Would it be better to solder them closed? Just looking for the easiest way to do this. Luckily, the tank isn't pressurized.
Hello @johneliot . You could solder up the holes but if the steel fuel tank has extensive pitting inside which may cause a failure at some future date; you could solder a metal strip of tin or brass around the entire tank then paint it. From experience, using a 2 pot hole filler like the type used for leaky petrol tanks might not be a good idea as methylated spirits(denatured alcohol) fuel tends to break down the sealant causing it to turn to a waxy jelly. There may be a similar product available now that would withstand alcohol. John
I decided to solder the holes. I tried it two different ways. In the first picture I used a mini torch to fill the holes and in the second picture I used my Aoyue soldering iron with a fine tip on it. I think I like the Aoyue better for this, it's easier to put the solder where I want and there is localized heat which I think was better for just doing pin holes. Filled the tank with water and no leaks. Used the compressor to dry the inside and now it's time to redo the wick. I've already done a 38 so it should go faster this time. Still wondering if anyone has a good match for the blue or green paint.
That looks like a pretty neat job,well done. Gave my frame to a local powder coaters and is now a very nice red. Not heat tolerant at all and now charred around the burner. I can live with that it still makes a cup of coffee and considering what I went through with it just happy it works. Would I get another, without a doubt. Look forward to seeing the results.
