Just a quick question, is the pot/lid for an Optimus 199 the same as a 99. I can see that the base is a bit deeper. Possibly been asked a million times before!! I have purchased a 99 which is basically just the tank, burner and base, quite cheap and I’ve serviced it, new wick etc and polished and adjusted it and it’s working fine. I’m just trying to make a useable stove out of it and Base camp have used 199 pot/lids in stock apparently. I’ve also managed to acquire a ratty looking 8R, basically for the heat shield and to try my hand at a bit of electolosis. I’m going to make pot stands and rig up something on the lines of a late model 99 so that the stove can be used. I reckon original 99 spares are pretty impossible to acquire. Any help would be great fully appreciated
Just found pics of both stoves and it’s too late to edit or delete the post. Totally different stoves. Oh well, plan B. I’d never seen pictures of them together so thought the 199 was a just a 111 silent burner and tank etc stuffed into a 99 case.
Yes, I saw that thanx. I’ve been looking for one. Great idea if the aluminium peak 1 cases weren’t as elusive as bits for the 99. I’m now looking at a Trangia mess tin to transplant everything into.
Bugger, I’m ex-Army and I bet I’ve got my old mess tins up the loft. Time to do a bit of bodging I reckon, thanks Kerophile.
The Eleventy-One is bigger than the 8R that the 99 is cloned off of. The 199 is a 99, but with a silent head and some modifications to burn alcohol or kerosene, as well as white gas. [Not having an Optimus 199, I can only guess.] For the more exotic fuels [from a North American perspective] the mini-pump is required. Not needed with white gas at normal elevations. At altitude-- as on a Climb-- even gas must get pumped. The Mini-Pump and special gas cap are inlcluded with the 199. You might scour the Bay of Evil for odd 99 parts. I scored a bottom pan and the special threaded spirit cup [under the burner] that make an 8R into a 99. Another work around for completing the 99/199 set is to make a top cover/pan out of the top of a Coleman Peak One case and lid. These were military issue in the '80s and some surplus cases [sans Coleman stove] occasionally surface on the milsurp market. I got a slightly dented set for under $20 a few years ago. I've even seen some with the Marine Corps' Eagle, Globe and Anchor, but missed that lot. [Former Marine, here.] The top of the Coleman case will just fit over the base of the Opti 99 case. It could be trimmed up an inch to 1-1/2'' and the lower rim of the upper could be chamfered for a better fit. My aluminum working skills have corroded, and I have no airframe shop to work out of now. But there are possibilities.
Thanks SveaSizzler. I’ve had a look around recently with no luck so I’ll keep my eyes open in future for the Peak 1 case. Seems like the best option. I’ve already got a decent 99, but this incomplete one was bought to mess about with. I’ve got my doubts the tank etc will fit in a large Trangia mess tin but I’ve ordered one in any case. I think the tank lid will be a bit too tall. Would be a nice tidy stove if it did fit.
Not the Trangia, but it will fit inside the formerly-issued British Army mess tins. They must be ''cheap as chips'' over there in the UK. Spiritburner republished my old pix of my 99 in the Dutch steel version. I'm told they're a ringer, but in the tougher metal. Like you, I have a good 99. Then I bought a rusty-cased 8R. [8Rs bore, IDKY?] I found the 99 base and spirit cup on EBay Gideon from Khazakstan sent me a silent burner head [off some Soviet stove]. I got the X-form over-the-burner-dome pot supports, and got the Coleman case from a US surplus outfit. A ''Canada'' stamped pot gripper was included. I can shave it down by an inch or inch-and-a half, and perforate the hell out of it with various drill bit sizes. A leather Polish Army mess tin strap can hold it together. The 8R action still needs a good fettle. Valve spindle is stiff to turn, flame doesn't blast, and there's still a ''candle flame'' atop the jet nipple on shutdown. But a Fake 199 is a fun project. I don't intend using any fuel other than Coleman gas, but it will appear to be much like the 199. Or 99 if I put back the ''Tulip'' roarer burner. I even have a handmade Titanium flame spreader. I still need to bend some pot support hoops for that configuration...
@Dave Gidman Maybe do something like Enders did with their baby. Could be DIY project with small tin. Have 3 99's and I don't think I have ever use cover to cook in because of its small size. Might have used Coleman cook/storage lid a couple times. Could hold a couple eggs but I would still be scrubbing it clean. Remember stoves are not going to light themselves. Daryl sunny SoCal
I know what you mean about the cover but a complete cooker with a lid of some description is always nice and if it’s slightly functional as well, that helps. Makes a nice little package. I like the Enders stove, that’s food for thought. Got the Trangia and British Army mess tins coming and a rather rusty old 8R so hopefully I’ll come up with something.
The 99 lid is perfect for ramen noodles. Hard to see what else it would be perfect for. A mess tin has a lower edge- still good enough for ramen but could also cook other things.
I’m definitely going to make that pot stand. Got this 8R coming so even if the case is totally past it I’ll have another burner to go at.
It’ll fit in a Trangia mess tin. The tin’s too big for a Baby Enders type stove but like that it would look pretty smart with a decent pot stand like the one above. Bit of a waste of a nice mess tin though.
