Priming pads can be made from the "asbestos" paper used in pottery kilns. This paper is actually made from either calcium silicate or ceramic products, and contains no asbestos. One brand of it is "Fiberfrax". I needed a new pad for my X-GK a few years ago, and was able to get a largish (for stove uses) piece from a local pottery shop, just by asking for some (and, of course, offering to pay for it. ) They were curious about why I wanted it, but glad to give me a scrap. The stuff I got is slightly thicker than what came with the stove, but works fine. ....Arch
Hey, Brother Arch, What a fine idea! Many thanks for that tip, and I'll definitely file it away for future use. We don't have a pottery kiln near us, but Sweet Bride knows lots of potters, so she can probably get us some of that "Fiberfrax" paper. Thanks, very much, for the tip!! Arch, what vintage is your X-GK? Do you love yours, as I do mine? Did you check out my report on the simmering plate, about which Robert (Oops) told me, and one of which I bought and have used to fine effect? If not, I'll copy that thread to you so that you can check it out. Every X-GK owner needs to get one of those simmering plates! Works perfectly, and my newest X-GK EX simmered spaghetti sauce and sausages delightfully, using it. Do you have the yellow pump? If not, which one do you have? If you have the yellow one, and want a rebuild, send it to me, and I'll do it for you, then return it, good as new. Just let me know if you want to do that, and I'll be happy to do so. It only takes a short time, so you'd have it back in no time, at all. Thanks, again, for the tip on the special paper, Arch! Much appreciated! Best regards to you and Nelda and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hi Mark, I'm really glad you folks got through the fires ok; touch-and-go for awhile, there. I got my X-GK in about 1983; it came with the yellow pump. (I also have various generations of newer pumps.) I like the stove a great deal. Other than being a bit hard on o-rings (specifically, the one where the fuel line attaches to the pump), it's never let me down or had any problems. I've only ever done routine maintenance on it. (Biggest repair was replacing that priming pad 8) ) I have checked out some of the posts on simmering plates -- I've just used a coffee can lid, myself. Usually though, I take the X-GK when I need a snow-melting machine, and don't want anything to diffuse that intense heat. The stove is fantastic in cold weather and at high elevations. Thanks for the offer on rebuilding the pump. You made it look so easy that I want to try it myself, though. (The only thing wrong with mine is that hose is broken ) The only advantage I ever saw in the newer pumps was that they're shorter, and so will fit in smaller fuel bottles for a short trip. Also, though I've never had a pump problem, your experiences with them have convinced me of the dangers of these pumps. The newest model pump looks pretty good. Give my best to Cynthia. ....Arch
Evening, Arch, I thought I remembered that you like the X-GK, too! It IS a great stove, and one of the most reliable, at least in my experience with it. One thing that I always do, before I plug the stove into the pump, is stick the end of the stove in my mouth and get it nice and spitty! Thus "lubed", it slides nicely into it's spot in the pump, and the O-ring isn't damaged. The early X-GK that I just got, over in Arizona, had a very damaged O-ring in that place, but I surmise that it's previous owner(s) didn't "lube" the stove tube before plugging it in, and my own O-rings seem to last for years before needing attention. I know, sticking the end of the fuel tube into your mouth probably sounds gross to some here at CCS! But, hey, it works, and has done so for many, many years. The proof is in the pudding! Arch, does your stove have it's brass fitting? I can send you one, and also a length of hose, with the proper holes already punched into it, if you want. The awl worked, but Sweet Bride's punch works MUCH better. Let me know, and I will send off those two things tomorrow, if you want them. Thanks, again, for your kind thoughts about our local fires. Our biggest problem is that it seems that too many arsonists have taken up permanent residence in So Cal!! I'm ready for an "Arsonist Pogram"!!!! Round 'em up, and burn 'em down, sez I!!!! Most folks don't have the stomach for such permanent solutions, however, no matter how dire the circumstances for we innocents that suffer under the destructive acts of these bastards!! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Thanks, again, for the kind thoughts and comments, Arch! See you next June, when we pass through, once again! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Howdy, Lads, Well, my MSR X-GK rebuild project is almost completed. I just have to do the pump, which should only take a few minutes, a few hoses for friends here at CCS (sorry, Guys, I have not been too quick in getting them done for you! ), and take new photos of that. Then, I'll have to do a bit of testing, complete with photos, and after that, call it good! NOW, here's the rub. When all is said and done, I'll probably have a report that contains around 40-45 photos!!! What should I do with an article that size, Friends? I'm going to post it in the "Fettling Forum", but I guess I'll have to do it in three, or four, parts, so as not to jam up those with slower internet service, like we used to be. Any other suggestions? Unless someone else has a better way to post it, that's what I'll have to do, I guess. It's been quite a bit of fun, and I've learned a lot along the way. I sincerely hope you will find it interesting, educational, and worthwhile. Take care, Lads, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hey, Guys, Well, all done, except for the testing, and one other little snafu, unfortunately. The stove came out even better than I'd hoped, but I had a small problem with the pump. Oh, the work came out just fine, BUT..... I somehow managed to lose the teflon disk check valve, and the check valve spring!!! I have NO idea where the might be, even though I've turned the house upside-down looking for them. So, until I can cobble up something to replace them, my last pump is D.O.A. !! OH, well.... I did get the rebuild kits made for Sketch and Shampine, and should get those sent out tomorrow. I've included the proper O-rings, Guys, except for the pump gasket, which I do not have on hand. I bought a few and have used them already. So, you'll have to take an old one to an auto parts store, and buy some Nitrile O-rings the same size, then you'll be in business. I will try to copy some interesting material, too, and include that, as well. The MSR Rebuild article will be posted tomorrow, even though I could not finish my last pump. Hopefully, it will answer many questions that we all have about X-GK maintenance. Take care, Lads, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc (Bummed about losing my spring and check valve.....!! Too soon old, too late smart!)
Evening, Lads, Tested the rebuilt MSR X-GK tonight...... All I can say is SOME'BITCH!! This thing is a SCREAMER!!!! And, it simmers, too!!!! Oh, MY!!! "Film at 11"!! OK, not 11, but I'll post the whole report soon! To say I'm extremely satisfied with how it turned out, is a massive understatement! 8) \ =D> \ =D> \ =D> \ \ Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc (Make a joyful noise unto the Lord ......... with a rebuilt MSR X-GK!!!!) 8)
Exciting news Doc! Looking forward to your report. Such info should keep these MSR stoves working so my boys can inherit functional & maintainable stoves and pumps!
Hey, Sketch, Heck, it will probably fall apart tomorrow, but for now, I'm pretty tickled with it!!! 8) Thanks for the kind words! I am actually thrilled to have had such good success, with both the pumps and the stove, and hope the pumps last as long as I think they will. I guess we'll find out, eh? Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc P.S. Your MSR care package goes out tomorrow, Andy.
Hey, Lads, OK, the 47 photos taken during my MSR X-GK, and yellow pump rebuild, are now loaded into Photo Bucket, and I'm working on the text!! By the way, yesterday, I actually FOUND the check valve spring for that pump, which had somehow jumped off the dining room table, and made it's way across the living room, coming to rest behind the couch, in an area which is a walk-way!! HOLY MOLY!! How in hell did it get over there? I still have NO idea what became of the teflon disk check valve, and so will have to cobble one up, maybe out of Nitrile rubber! Oh, well.... glad to have the spring, anyway!! So, work is proceeding, and I'll finish the article and post it as soon as possible. Right now, Sweet Bride is back home, once again (we got back from the airport at 1AM!!), and all is right with the world!! 8) \ \ Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Yippeeee! Thanks Doc! Along with that, I have to pickup my new igloo maker from REI toay! And snow is in the forecast! Life is good!
I am with you Doc,I like the XGK also. I am very curious to want to ask you a question. This device (red circle) has any function. Thanks, Take care, and God Bless!
wow, what a large picture ! 640x480 max please... the tubular device is an aftermarket sparker made for the various coleman lanterns. basically flint and steel. scabbed in... Made by coghlans, IIRC. twist the knob, et voila !
I have an identical stove that has that striker attached. Has a kero nipple in it and I haven't fired it, but the stiker works. My stove is much smaller than the one in the picture though. Bob
Thanks all. This device is really a sparker. By the way, are there any one that can translate this manual. Thanks, Take care, and God Bless!
I emailed MSR and they said they would send me an instruction sheet, but it will be in "murican anglish" plus some other languages. I only speak anglish, easTexican and a small smattering of cow pen Spanish They have scans of the sheets on their web site, but I want one to hold in my little hand. Check MSR.com for the instruction sheet. Best, Bob
