Hi everyone, This is my first post. I have just bought myself a Radius 20 and so far love it. My big question is is there anywhere I can get spares for it?? i would love to get a windshield for it. Also It is missing the tank bung (where the burner goes). I was going to turn one on my lathe (jewelers without thread cutting capability) so was going to machine a bolt down. I have given the thread a measure and it looks to be 18tpi and 5/8th diameter. That seems really strange as that makes it 5/8 UNF...... and this is made in Sweden... am I missing something? Time to give it a good clean and a birthday. Cheers, Phil
I'm also not sure about the burner hole in the tank. Is there something broken there or is it just a build up of gunk/lead/whatever??
Welcome, Phil. You can get spares from “The Fettle Box” (this site’s sponsor: link on forum) and/or through The Base Camp (UK). There is a Korean seller on the bay of evil who sells the windshields from time to time, and, if I recall correctly, another seller in the UK - just search “Primus stove” on eBay. Get a sharp File and scratch the material in the burner hole. It’s probably lead. It’s a great stove. Enjoy it. Tony @PDK
Thanks for the reply @Tony Press. I did try The base camp but didn't find any Raduis parts. Will have a look at the fettle box. Cheers Phil
Phil The Primus/Optimus parts will fit. Let me know which parts you want and I’ll check them against my stoves in the morning. Tony @PDK
Hi @PDK. There is some discussion on threads used in stove manufacture through the ages in this thread: 111 pump tube thread size Radius stove were manufactured between 1913 and 1963 and spare parts are not generally available. Donor stoves are the most common source of spare parts. All of the No.96 type stoves use a lead washer between the tank and the “lipstick” vaporiser. This joint is released then re-made every time the stove is dismantled for transport and subsequently reassembled. Lead is an excellent material for sealing the joint as asbestos and fibre-based washers will not stand this duty cycle. It is important not to over-tighten the joint when assembling the stove. Hand tighten and a maximum of another quarter-turn is all you need to get a seal. There would originally have been threaded brass “parking station” soldered onto the top of the tank to retain the reserve cap when it is not being used to seal the tank in transit. Have a look at the photos of other Radius No.20 stoves in the Reference Gallery. The parking station was beside the Radius “shooting star” on the tank top, and you can still see where your one was once attached. Base Camp had an Optimus No.96 reserve cap which should fit the tank of your stove: 2048 Reserve lid for 96 GBP £4.75. Good Luck with your stove. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Hi, I reckon your Radius No. 20 could be older than the other No.20:stoves shown in the Reference Gallery. The tin is distinctive and similar to a style used by Optimus in the 1920s. Optimus No:00L - 1920's Just Saying, Best Regards, Kerophile.
Hi @PDK Ref. The thread size on the No.96 burner and parking boss : From this thread: Optimus 96 with "normal" burner? Best Regards, Kerophile.
Hi @PDK You also asked about windshields for a No.96: Windshields for No.96 stoves. Improvised wind-shields. Best Regards, Kerophile.
@Tony Press the reserve cap is the bit I would really like to get my hands on. It would be great if you did have a spare you could sell to me since you are also on this side of the world . @kerophile. Thank you very much for all of your information. Yes the box is completely different from the others I have seen. I have noticed that it has the "trade mark" markings in it which I read in one of the other threads came in the later stoves... that's a shame the reserve cap holder is missing... mine might have to do with a little chain or something. Will definately look into doing something with a wind shield. The cans look perfectly fine.
Hi @PDK I don’t understand your comment about Trade Mark and later stove. I still believe that you have an early, probably 1920s, Radius No.20. Have a look at this Radius 21, a slightly larger. Stove but with the same style of tin: Radius 21 Best Regards, Kerophile.
@kerophile I just re-read Six variants of Radius 21 and I had myself confused with the 'LTD' and not the 'trade mark' that this one has. I know absolutely nothing about the history of these stoves but am keen to learn. Wow 1920. Sounds like I need to do some more research. Would be fun to know if it was almost 100 yrs old. I am honoured to own it.
Hi @kerophile. I have been giving my tin a good clean so had a really close look at the graphics. If you squint a bit you can make out n° 21 marked on the back face so it is the same tin as the Radius 21 you have linked.So the tin isn't the original for this stove.
Aren't stoves fascinating? All bets are off if tins have been swapped! The tin is early (1920/early30s) but if your stove is marked Radius Ltd. rather than plain Radius it is post 1939/40 and pre 1963 when Radius production ceased. I can't see any Ltd. marking in the photos you posted. Please can you provide a photo to confirm? Either way still a great outfit and very desirable. Love the Atomic coffee maker! you should feel right at home here on CCS. Best Regards, Kerophile.
