'R.Ditmar' was the name of the company run by Rudolf Ditmar after his brother Friedrich died and before a merger took place in 1910, Rudolf having died in 1895. I think this heater/stove dates to no later than 1910 but I'd be happy to hear contradictory views on the dating. On its ornate style alone, it's of that era. Very decorative. In stove mode, with the lid and finial set aside. And with the lid replaced, it's a heater. The name 'Rubis' (Ruby) stems from the ruby sight glass window probably. An eye-catching feature certainly. I'll be getting rid of the gold paint, which isn't original and smells when the stove's hot. The piercings in the chimney to create that starburst effect. Maker's name and logo on the fuel filler cap ... ... and wick control knob. I've some more restoration work to do on the lid, which was cracked in three places and required silbrazing. Pieces have been lost from the tracery and I'll be fabricating steel replacements to silbraze in place. The finial had snapped in two and had to be silbrazed too. Missing a flame spreader, I've made a temporary one up from a cut-down Aladdin one. It needs refinement and equipping with a 'lid'. Centre-draft wick, very efficient and controllable. Gallery. Fuel tank sits in a rather grand cast iron tripod base. It comes into its own at night with the ruby starburst illuminated and shadows of the cast iron top tracery cast on a wall. Photos to follow earliest opportunity. John
Hi John very nice ornate heater, I am looking forward to seeing the full restoration. I know it will be a first class original restoration, i am looking forward to seeing all the new fabricated tracery its going to look superb, and all so John nice work on the conversion of the flame spreader.
Hi John, It's lovely! I'm looking forward to the nocturnal fame shots. Pity it's now spring and heading towards summer for you. You won't really be needing it? It's a drizzly foggy morning in the Bay of Plenty, a fresh 21C inside and out. Maybe you could send it here in a very humanitarian way? I have a dog who would constantly keep it company. Silbrazing cast iron! What prep do you do for the joint? Chemically cleaned? Flux? Cheers B
Abrasive drum in a Dremel to create bright metal, silbraze rod coated with borax flux. Let it cool of its own accord and no quenching in water, which would crack it. Easier (quicker to heat up) for being slender sections. Night shots. Better than anything on TV most nights recently. Comparison with my other Ditmar stove/heater, seventy years or so younger. John
I removed the name plate (two set screws), burned off the paint and wire brushed it, revealing subtleties of casting details covered up by the gold paint. I'll brush in some grate polish next opportunity. I also cleaned and polished the red glass disc and wire-brushed the 'starburst' piercing in the chimney to get the full benefit of reflections. Preferable without the rather dauby and garish gold paint I think. The sight glass was very dirty and obscured the flame movement/flicker which is now visible and makes the starburst come alive. Mesmerising. Attractive too unlit and in daylight, when the sight glass appears black. John
Not long ago you said to me ... I'm sure there's a similar saying for that gold paint spoiling a fine casting and the overall appearance of the stove. Thanks Enrique, always good to hear from you. John
Well, you don't see one of those everyday! Well done John, nice restoration (looks better without the gold paint) and nice to see it running. Norm
Thanks Norm! The English expression would be 'gilding the lily' - attempting to improve the natural beauty of a flower by painting it or applying gold leaf. John
Hi John, R. Ditmar is quality and congrats to a very nice heater stove. I have a collection of Ditmar big round wick burners and lamps and they are certainly the best you can find at late 1890 and the beginning of 1900. At a French site a "French" Rubis burner with tank is out for sale, and I noticed details probably dating your Rubis heater/stove closer to 1900 than 1910. /Conny
Thank you @Conny C I saw an ebay France listing of a similar French 'clone' but without that plaque and it's good to have that dating 'fix'. I agree, the Ditmar is a quality product, which has no doubt helped ensure that they're still around to enjoy. Regards, John
Restoration complete. The chimney, top of the chimney, cap and base tripod stand had been painted in gloss black. The paint smelled when the stove was hot, and I've stripped it and treated each cast iron component to a coating of stove grate polish, which contains graphite and gives a steely grey sheen to the metalwork when buffed with a dry rag. I've replaced my makeshift flame spreader with a Valor 1 3/8-inch diameter component.
