Does any body have any Idea of a Optimus 111b will run with out the cleaning needle installed?? Or 123r or 8r for that matter? I am waiting on parts but I really want to see what this baby will do! Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks Wade
Hey, Wade, I've done it before, and it should work for you. Do you have an outboard cleaning pin, just in case? I won't hurt anything to give it a try, and see what happens, though. It would be prudent to do this outside, away from flammable materials. (Read that: "Your house"!!) And, you might want to keep an empty bucket nearby. If, for some reason your spindle is worn to the point that it won't turn off your stove, you can close the spindle as far as it will go, then turn the empty bucket, upsidedown, over your burning stove. It will run out of oxygen very soon, and go out quite quickly. Just a thought. Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
Thanks Doc but I ran into some bigger problems before I even got that far. The check valve was stuck closed so It would not take any air so I forced some really nasty petro chemicals through it and It didnt fair so well. It will take air now but wont hold it. I got the check valve removed not too difficult a 5 sided 1/4 socket on a long extension got it out with a little persuasion. and the thing is made of rubber that is rotted to all get out. I am going to see if A&H might have another tomorrow. Since I HAVE to have a check valve I am going to order a new spindle and cleaning needle.
I run a Svea 123R and a pretty beat up Optimus 8R without cleaning needles. They work fine that way. Gerry
It'll work perfectly well without the needle. I don't think I actually ever use the needle on any of mine. Good clean fuel is the answer I think.
Yep, the cleaning needle is for .... well, .. cleaning. If your jet is clean, then there is no reason why the stove won't work without the cleaning needle. A suitably sized prickers will do fine to keep the jet free of gunk, but clean fuel too helps in this regard. Enjoy the Flame Spudz
If you hve a guitar then the high end steel one is the go. Make a pricker out of that. MAde a one out of bent up copper tube from thermostat out of a old fridge. Worked. High e steel guitar string is 0.0085 " in the old money your jets should be lager than that in the 111 but my 99 jet is not that much bigger. don't try and force a big needle threw it will open up the jet too much. 0.001 thou is too much sometimes I believe. Easier to slap around in the loose fit than trying to get a tight one in and straight thats for sure. Once you have it clean and clean fuel won't need it much unless you tend to soot it up will making fireballs by not preheating enough!!
