"The Pocket Primus Outfit" Primus 96 in an old tin

Just got this one all the way from England. I'm glad I ordered a seal kit for it....I almost don't want to clean it....too cool looking Patina... Looks really old.
It looks like a runner .. Should I clean it up or leave it alone?

 

If it's not dirty, don't clean it!

Wipe it all down with a damp cloth and use it from there.

 

@Ed Winskill yeah... I'm thinking the same thing. The tin ha some awesome Patina to it.... Would look weird all cleaned up

 

@Remus1956 ,

I love the little Primus Pocket Outfits! Yours looks great, and I second what Ed suggested. Wipe it down, change the seals and pip, and call it good! What is the date code underneath the font? Congrats on securing one of these wonderful little bits of kit! Well done! Have fun, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

Many of the NRV’s for these are quite stuck, hope yours comes right out. Nice find, I have a “few” of these.
Duane

 

@Doc Mark I have an Optimus 96 in a red can but this is my first Primus 96...I think you're right. Wife said it will look weird polished too. Doesn't smell like fuel so it's been a while since it was run. Code on the bottom says R16

@hikerduane lemme know if you come across a spare leg. One of mine looks to be handmade haha... May just get a set from Basecamp. The nrv popped out easy... Not stripped... Lucky... Heard this can be a real pain to get out

 

@Remus1956 ,

"R"means 1927! Again, very well done! I look forward to seeing it in action!

- Doc

 

@Remus1956 That's a very nice example and the patina is worth keeping. But I would clean off the corrosion / dirt on the "lipstick" and the corresponding area inside the tubular part of the burner bell. Good contact between those parts is needed for good thermal contact to aid vaporization of the fuel. Also make sure that the mesh inside the lipstick is clean.
Regards
John

 

@Doc Mark breaking it open now...so far everything looking pretty easy. Interesting that the nrv had something like cork in it...and the tank cap had a lead disk in it?!

@Jeopardy the lipstick is clear and when I actuate the pump I get a nice hiss from it. I sprayed the mesh with carb cleaner and just brushed it off. Looks good to me so far

 

@hikerduane I think I was lucky.... The nrv didn't have a lead disk in it... There was nothing there and it was loose already. No damage. I think someone was probably trying to fix it at one point and gave up. I put a plastic disk gasket to replace it

 

Very nice, and good choice leaving it as is and not polishing it. It always seems a strange juxtaposition when brass is polished to 'as new' yet the tin, windshield, legs remain decidedly weathered. It's 97 years old, it should look it!

Very likely the original cork pip, which was the usual material for stoves of this era. After a soak in oil they're often ready for many more years of service.

 

@Blackdog it's interesting because the stove was wrapped in brown paper... Each part was wrapped. It has TONS of use but it's in great shape. It is missing a leg and has a home made one. If looks good but may look into a replacement leg if it's got balance issues.
I'm just changing out the pump leather now and that cork was glued to the new and crumbled so replaced it
I'll get a photo of it going soon... Trying to clean it without citric acid to keep it the way it is

 

HDPE I hope.

 

@Remus1956 It's amazing really, the adventures these old examples must have had and the enjoyment they gave owners through the simple pleasure of hot food and drink outdoors.

 

@snwcmpr yeah it's one of the ones in the pack from the sponsor...HDPE. I've had really good luck with them and they're way easier to take out if I want to check the pip (like my Optimus 111b) I'm trying to replace all of the lead ones

 

@Blackdog yeah you can tell someone used the hell out of it but took care of it. At some point they lost a leg and made a decent replacement one and it also has tons of mileage

I'm having an equally rustic looking radius 21 coming but I think it's got all the legs or pot stands missing. I think the Optimus 00 ones will work with some fitting. Wanted one of those for a while

 

I soak the burner, bell(burner head), brass mesh in hot vinegar, then use a brass bristle brush to remove carbon from the mesh. Many times aggressive action is needed to get carbon deposits out of the burner.
I’ve seen many things used as washers, paper, leather, plastic, double lead washer which does not seal.
Duane

 

@hikerduane I might actually try that. The citric acid will definitely do it but will pull all the patina right off and turn pink when it's in too long. I have a bunch of bronze wool (00 extra fine) to use up since I'm also working on a Coleman quick lite slant lantern
I'm probably going to fire it up tonight. I am waiting for a reply from base camp for a spare leg though. The inside of the tin has a little bit of flash rust .. Maybe I'll paint a little evaporust on it and bronze wool it off. Thinking...

 

These are also usually well used and burn too rich. Either peen if you have the nerve or follow directions on using a hypo needle. If peening, you’d be safe if you have a number of micro twist drill bits to open the burner orifice if closed too much.
Duane

 

@hikerduane well damn... It didn't need a thing... Just seals... Not even yellow tips... I'm surprised actually....
This is after start and 1 pump to warm it up...4-5 more to bring it to this...