While I am waiting on parts for my Optimus Stove and a couple blow torches I thought I would retrieve my late father's Primus (1929) stove and see if it would fire up. I last saw it run about 40 years ago. I pulled out the pump and removed the nut from the bottom and discovered the washer was held in place not by a screw but a peened over piece of brass (see pic). Is this common for them to be like this? I guess I can get another brass washer as a spacer so I can make it functional in the mean time until I find an appropriate replacement. Also I found interesting it has a companion burner fitted. Pretty sure my father did not do this, maybe it was my grandfather or great great grandfather? Who knows anyway if I get it to spurt a flame on the weekend I shall post a couple pics. Rob
Like the burner this is also a Companion part. They were sold as a complete replacement unit in Australia. If you heat them with a blowtorch to anneal the brass, sometimes you can straighten the tabs and reassemble with a new leather.
@ROBBO55 Thanks for the heads-up. I think I’ll try to find a replacement piston in any case. I pulled the NRV, made a new lead washer, and fitted a temporary cork pip. I fired it up for the first time in probably over 40 years, which was pretty exciting! It still needs a good going-over, though. The air pressure release seems to be blocked, as when I undid it, nothing happened and it just kept burning merrily away. The cup washer is also, I think, a fraction too big, as the piston is quite hard to operate. Anyway, they’re all little things that should be fairly straightforward to sort out. Here's a couple pics, if i knew how to upload a video I would
That's a good start, a "flame ring" will help with the flame pattern. https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/1930s-primus-burners-overview.21383/
@ROBBO55 Thanks mate I like that parts diagrams that helps. Wish therebwas one like for Companion. I actually thought about trying to make one out of some 1.5" copper tube and flaring it. Might order one just incase mine turns out to be a waste of time. I was quite happy I managed to make a couple lead washers with out screwing them up lol.
