Recently purchased a Prentiss Wabers Preway Auto Cook Kit model 308a and as yet unable to find much of any information pertaining to this model. I have not yet received the stove but from what I have seen it is in very good shape. Anyone know aprox dates of manufacture for this model?
Thanks for your reply Majicwrench. I looked on that site but did not find anything for that particular model. I could have overlooked something but its a great site. I did find last night some great info on the Old Coleman parts forum, in fact I found original directions for operating pamphlet for Preway AUTO - COOK - KIT INSTANT LIGHTING CAMP STOVES Nos 308, 309, and 312. I cant wait to get the stove and check it out. I originally found a Prentiss Wabers model 418 that was up for sale and I bought it but the seller backed out and would not ship. I can understand this because he said it was his Grandfathers and he was selling it reluctantly. I dont think he realized the value at first until I told him what it was. Win some lose some. Anyway I am anxious to get this one and it looks great from the pictures. I believe these are really great stoves. I am a little bit intimidated by the asbestos packing used on them but will work through that if need be
You're right, no 308 listed in that site. Yours could be the one! Don't snort asbestos and you will be fine. wet it down if need be, done clean it with a blast of air, just use common sense. Looking forward to pictures
Stove arrived today. Its complete. Condition is about what I expected, Good to excellent. Knobs all are both functional, pump leather is real dry, The gasket probably needs replaced.Generator valve is stiff and hard to turn ( I suspect it will loossen up with generator cleaning) pump pip will probably need replacement. Tank looks corrosion free. Overall what a excellent,ingenious design. This is my first Prentiss Waber/ Preway. I think I scored a great stove. I plan on mostly just cleaning, replacing what is necessary, keeping it as original as possible
I plan on getting it running before I really do any major cleaning. I ordered some leather pump cups from OCP that may need be a little large but I think can make to work. The fuel cap gasket is toast. If I cant find one,probably make one. The generator is coked up. Have to deal with that. I put a little penetrating oil here and there to loosen things. Still trying to figure out the best method to derust cast iron. I have gone through 2 gallons of evaporust with past projects and I have decided it is weak compared to the old stuff, expensive too. Electrolisis, Vinegar and water. Ideas? Going to take it slow and try to minimize any uh-oh’s. I have to agree with you about the secondary lever. Seems vulnerable to being moved unintentionally. I’m trying to finish my 417b along with a 413c. I am extremely slow to boot, so these will keep me occupied for some time. Lots of satisfaction when complete, making an old rusty tool perform like new. Great hobby/obsession. Love reading the forum. Excellent resource. God Bless
Electrolysis is so fun and effective. IIRC the standard Coleman pump cup is too large. If you need I can make you a cup. Seems people heat and quench generators to help clear things. I don't always have great luckwith that, and I often leave springs stuck where they are. Ever hear the phrase "fix it till it's broke"?
Sorry for the slow reply. I've been out of town on vacation in Colorado. While there I found railroad lantern's that I am afraid could become my new obsession if I’m not careful. The railroad museum in Granby was selling some donated lanterns to raise money to stay afloat. They had them at a reasonable price. I only bought one but they had a hundred or so. Took some real restraint to control myself.I have plenty of projects already. I had to clean and slightly restore the one i bought. I’m addicted already. Oh yea stoves. Well I found a pump cup that I was able to use. Its is a little tight but It pushes air. My next conundrum is the pip for the check valve in the pump. I had some pips from my svea stash, but they are too thick, and a little small in diameter. The spring is so weak that the pips will have to be pretty soft to work I think. Thoughts?
The spring is ALWAYS very weak. It isn't the spring that provides the push to seal, it's the air pressure. You could try one of your current pips, or I could make a few for you if I had some dimensions. Let's see your lantern.....
I replaced the pump seal, rather than make on I used an o-ring. I make a pip replacemant out of a sheet of viton, I wasn’t sure It would work. It did. decided to try firing the stove at that point. firstly I had to tighten back the valve nuts I had loosened in anticipation of going through the generator and valve. Miraculously the valve and generator functioned perfectly. The stove fired and both burners worked amazingly well.Made some Tea. I still plan on cleaning the burners as a couple of spots on the flame are a little compromised. I let it run for about 45min. to an hour. Cleaned up most of the flame. I still plan on doing a lot of cleaning and polishing What a great stove. I believe its a keeper. Here also is a picture of the lantern. I ordered a new wick so no lit picture. Cheers
I have several wicky lanterns, but not quite that classic. Stove looks good, they are bulletproof. I have one Preway, main burner was kinda anemic, all those little holes in burner ring were about 30% plugged. Now I make a habit of cleaning all those little hole. Tedious.
