This single burner Vesta (a double burner version was also produced) was a very popular self-pressurising gasoline stove in France and was manufactured from the late 1940’s through to the early 1960’s by F.J.Paris. On acquiring this stove, I needed to restore the case due to the amount of corrosion being present, which in a number of small areas, were well on the way to perforating. For the repaint, VHT spec. was used and cured at 200C for two hours. Vesta accessories - a wrench, funnel and spirit can. The wrench fits the following… …stuffing box nut… …fuel jet… …and the burner securing bolt, situated on the bottom of the case. I have found that stowing the wrench, funnel and spirit in these positions keeps them all securely in place when the lid is closed. The Vesta’s burner control knob sits permanently outside of the case. This is one durable chunk of Bakelite when considering how well these control knobs appear to have stood the test of time and stove use. The carry-handle IMO, only offers a modicum of protection. Probably not a backpacker’s first choice due weight and case size, but the Vesta is still a great stove to own and use. When I acquired this Vesta, the control knob was moveable but was on the moderately tight side. Removing the spindle, I cleaned the spindle’s threads and then lubricated them with copper grease and refitted. Following this, the operation of the control knob was much easier and smoother. The graphite packing did not require replacement. Case lid stamping. A clearer case lid stamping taken from one of my other Vesta’s. ‘BREVET 517.684’ is the ‘Vesta Camping’ patent number which was registered on 27th June, 1946 by the manufacturer, ‘F.J.Paris’. The original asbestos preheat pad was replaced with new 8mm glass fibre rope. I removed the fuel jet’s cleaning needle and its spring - this provides an improved and more stable simmer capability. Prior to refitting the fuel jet, I applied copper grease to the threads to ensure an effective gas tight seal. The filler cap and its integral SRV. As can be seen, the original SRV cork pip was very worn and in dire need of replacement. With gasoline stoves, I will always replace a cork pip with a replacement pip made of Viton. Fitting a new wick inside a 6mm OD copper tubing, cut and bent to the same length and shape as the original wick, increases the burner’s thermal feedback to the tank. This is beneficial because it reduces the pre-heat time in cold weather and also increases the flame output (with the cleaning needle removed). Side note: With a straight length of 6mm OD copper tubing, I wetted the new cotton wick with water first, which then made it very easy to twist-thread it through the tubing. I then lined up the tubing to the original wick at the ‘burner-end’ and marked the tubing where the bend needed to begin. Using a mini pipe bender, I then bent the tubing to the shape of the wick. A small manually rotated pipe cutter was used rather than a hacksaw, which easily and neatly cut the excess copper tubing to the required length without damaging the wick. This clever modification was originally designed and implemented by John @presscall, which he posted here back in 2016. Whilst the silent cap from an Enders 9061 or 9060D can be successfully used in place of the Vesta’s original roarer, a BD ‘Mini Cap with legs’ also works really well. Pharael.
