Just bought my second stove, 8r. Love the red bakelite knob.

On second thought it might be my third.
Nobody warned me this was an addiction.

I find the red Bakelite knob very charming, so I bought this on eBay last night. It will give me a little project to clean it up, possibly re-paint the body.

 

You'll love it.

 

Hi, Paulmlemay,

Welcome to CCS!! And, yes, collecting stoves is about as addicting as anything you will do in your life!!!! No known cure for what you have: the dreaded Stove Pox!! So, it's best to just keep buying, fettling, and using more stoves, to keep the symptoms in check......oh, and yeah, it's one hell of a lot of fun, too!!!!

You should replace your fuel cap gasket, and possibly your SRV pip (inside the fuel cap). These will be new tasks for you to learn, if you don't already know how to perform them. Also, reset your cleaning needle, so that you get a nice "throw" in your adjustment between full power and simmering. And, turn your heat shield around, as it's now on upside-down. Lots of owners do that, most especially if they are new to using a stove, and can't remember which side is up. That slot on top of your heat shield should be straddling the fuel line, to best shield the fuel tank from too much heat.

Have fun, and enjoy your wonderful Optimus 8R! They are grand little stoves, and real workhorses, when you get right down to it!!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc (who also likes the bakelite knobs on some of the earlier stoves!)

 

Great advice. Thank you for your eagle eyes on the heat shield.

I just ordered an aftermarket silent burner for this little beauty too.

I will search the forum for the SRV pip and fuel tank gasket too.
So many things to learn.

Now I need to do some more hiking to justify having three hiking stoves!

 

Oh darn, you're supposed to justify having all these stoves?

 

Justify? Oh no. I am way beyond hope for that.
I was duly warned about the pox when I got parts for my first kero burner from Scotland.
Ken in NC

 

I get flack at work for the ladies at work. About 12 or more 8/8R's now, add in a clone or two. Very neat old stoves.
Duane

 

the women at work have no idea. Don't let them distract you from the fun in life.

 

I go about my buying business, the 8/8R's are a small percentage of my stove collection, but nothing compared to Doc's. I believe I have the original 8 model too. Kick myself in the butt for not asking the guy whose info I passed on to Doc about a MSR 9, had the white pump I did not think to ask about, never seen one since.
Duane

 

Hey, HikerDuane,

I'm sorry you missed out on the original white pump, along with the very first version of the MSR replacement yellow pump. BUT, I'm super happy, and very grateful that you passed along that fellow's information to me, and I cherish my MSR #9, with both original pumps! In fact, you may remember that I named my #9 "Duane", in your honor, Good Sir!!! Thanks, again, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

I know you are very happy over that #9, did not know you had given it a name, maybe refer to as the stove I helped you get. At least I've done something worth while in my life. Can't have everything and I'm real happy with my Optimus 8 collection and a few other rare ones.
Duane