Optimus 45: 1st Fettle, 1st Fire up

Got the 45 over a month ago. Takes awhile to get parts in, so I cleaned her up first, then when the kit got here, I started in. Hope you guys like lots of photos, haha.

NRV tool from Juliands:



Stuck it in, got it settled in, and gave it a little twist to see if there was any play. There wasn't, so I pressed down, gave it a twist...



And it popped right out:



All the components. I realize I have the pip facing the wrong way:



Old cork pip. I didn't realize until I saw this photo that part of the spring broke off:



New and old. You can see the spring part a little better:



I was curious about the spring, and I stretched it out the tiniest bit, and it snapped right in half:



I already had an NRV kit handy, so I used the spring out of it:



New spring and pip in:



Back together:



Now to get the lead washer off:



Used one of my brass picks:



Success:



New washer installed:



A little anti-seize applied:



And back in. Instamatic camera never focuses where you want it to, haha:



Time to change this cruddy leather cup:



Tore the leather off, used a piece of leather, and gave it the death grip with a pair of channel locks. Used a crescent wrench, aka adjustable spanner to get the nut off:



Components:



New cup installed:



Not sure why I didn't clean the brass better, but, it is what it is:



Nut back on:



And put in some oil for a soak:



Time to get the old fuel cap seal out. Thing is hard as a brick:



Heated it up with a Bic lighter, and used a pick to break through it:



Out:



Cleaned up:



And used a brass pick to seat the new seal:



Did the same with the reserve cap:





Time to change the lead seal for the burner:



Held it a bit above eye level, tilted it back so debris didn't go down the burner tube, and used the brass pick to get it out:



Cleaned up:



New in place:



And seated:



I knew the wind screen from my 111B fit the 45, so I bought one for it:



Problem is, the new has a bigger lip/edge/roll than the 111Bs:



I placed the 111B's over the new...



And traced a guideline on it. Not perfect, but didn't really have to be:



Bought a Dremel like tool:







And started grinding. Not long, and the ring started to fit in it. That's actually the ring from my 111B:



A little more and she fit perfect:



Clogged the stone up pretty good:



That's more like it:



Leather going back in:



Aaaaaaand, in:



Just to remind you what it looked like when I got it:









Wrench and stands cleaned up:



Burner and flame ring:







And what she looks like now. Pay no attention to all the gumballs on the ground, haha:



Cleaned up the trivet a bit, but decided to not do anything with it, as I'll be using it anyways:





Close up. You can see the pitting:



If you didn't notice, I purchased some rubber feet for it. Makes a huge difference. Stays put well now:



Didn't realize I didn't have the trivet all the way on:







Also, I purchased a case for it:





Unzipped:



In place:



Zipped up. Tight fit, but I'm sure she'll stretch some after it sits in there awhile:





Waited until dark to fire it up for the first time. Primed it, tightened up the vent, and gave it a few pumps, and it lit right up, but yellow flames were coming out between the spirit cup, and nut. Didn't get any photos of that:



Time to change the burner seals. Old one. I'm sure it's asbestos. Held all the parts under running water, and used a pick to get the main seal off, and a scotchbrite pad to clean it up with::





Cleaned:







Seals on:





Primed it up again. Forgot to put the ring back on, but did before firing it up:



Success!





She had some red tipped flames, but turned blue once I let it run for a bit:























Should also mention that I did an under water pressure check after replacing the seals, and also sloshed some kerosene in the tank and dumped it, before adding more fuel. This is m y first fettle on a vintage stove, and I have to tell you, it was a freaking blast. Couldn't have done it without the awesome kits from the Fettlebox.

Thanks for looking.

 

Lovely post.
Thank you for taking the time to record it.

 

Excellent work, @The Warrior!

Not that we needed any more evidence, but it is now certain that you are seriously infected with stove pox. Not even @Doc Mark can save you.

Tony

 

Well.....I guess it's official now. You're in The Club!!!

How lucky can you get with that NRV just coming out easy peasy?? Don't expect it to be like that every time. Just when you think you've got it all down pat you'll find out that you don't. Don't ask me how I know that. I'm still working my way through a self-made mess. Hopefully, I can make it right. lol

Anyways...a fine job and excellent photos to document it.

Well done!

Alex

 

@The Warrior
Exceptional post, so very well documented and photographed. Beautiful flame shots too.

I nearly said, “no wonder this hobby is infectious” but thought better of it with the current state of things.

John

 

Excellent job and photos, it’s good for another 80 years now.
Ivan

 

Well done love all the pics

 

pukka!

 

And so a fanatic is born! Not that we didn't see it coming....

Great post.

 

Thanks guys, it was a blast.

I was real lucky with the NRV. I don't think this stove was used that much, to be honest. As a matter of fact, someone asked me if I put oil on it, in my original 45 thread. I said I did, but I didn't. It was my 111B I put the oil on, and I haven't even fettled it yet, haha. So yeah, definitely lucky. Also, I have a new NRV tool now. I'll probably use it on the 111.

 

You may now learn the secret handshake

 

Uh, ok, haha.

 

@IvanN

You mean the ultra-secret handshake where we all get to....ahhhh never mind....it'll be more fun if he doesn't know what's coming. lol

Alex

 

Uh oh...

 

Looks too purty to use, you'll have to shine the burner again now. Nice focus. I've been working on a Coleman AA lamp, stress cracked fount, but found a good one.
Duane

 

Thanks man. Nah, gunna let her patina back up.

 

Hey guys,

I'd like to take the time out to thank you guys for all the helpful input. @snwcmpr let me know about the NRV problems with the 111B's. I didn't even know what an NRV was. Many helped me directly, and many indirectly, not even knowing the information I got from them helped me out. Again, thanks to all for your help on my new stove journey. It's been a fun ride thus far, and I look forward to learning more.

 

Very nice but how come yours doesn't burn green like mine ? Lol. So you've caught stovid20 to bad, no known cure!
Buy 2 stoves and post in the morning.

 

Never had one burn green before, haha. I definitely have it.

 

Very well done and ditto documented.

The stove is a timeless classic brassie - now it can re-settle its own patina during the next decades.
I think the bag is a good investement here - making it more a grab ‘n go stove when all ready like that.
Its gonna be an eyecatcher if you use it in picnic areas!