A few weeks ago when I acquired the Lamb paraffin stove I also received this mangled Monitor Minor. My attention went on the Lamb so it's been sat waiting its turn. It has clearly had a hard life, the tank especially. It looks like the bottom may have blown out. Perhaps others can advise. The burner tube was out of alignment with the key hole in the windshield and on closer inspection it had a clear twist in the tube. This may have been the result of someone trying unsuccessfully to remove the burner tube. I say this because I was unsuccessful too, despite clamping in a vice, using penetrative oil, and later after no success trying gentle heating. All that happened was the burner tube started to twist more. So I settled on twisting it back to align with the windshield key hole. There's a seam on the tube that indicated this had returned the tube to its pre twisted state. The cap and windshield went into the rust remover overnight and are now a little more presentable. The wire pot support is missing so that's something I will need to make. The tank was cleaned up a little but there's little I can do to improve the battered state it is in. I risked a test burn and it worked but it is not a strong burner. It probably needs a new wick but that's not going to be possible.
Good morning @Robert Radcliffe, nice little find i have one of these to me its like Monitor's version of the Svea 123, the tank has a nice profile to it but i would rate the 123 a better stove. To me the tank bottom does look like it has blow out, and at some point got over pressurised/ over heated, unfortunately Monitor did not manufacture it with there patented pressure release valve on the filler cap, that would have prevented this. I will look forward to seeing it restored with new pot support and new wick, i am sure you will do a great job of it, bringing it back to full working order, but i must admit being very concerned with the bottom being blown out as it is, as the base probably wont be able to safely hold pressure as it was designed.
Hi @Robert Radcliffe . Nice this Minor. I like the diamond shaped cutouts in the can. Good that you posted a photo of the bottom of the tank. Indeed, as @mr optimus mentioned it is bulging as a result of overheating. I can't tell if it can be reconstructed. I once saw pictures here on the forum of an even bulged bottom of a Primus 70 tank that had no SRV or soldered safety pin. In the case of your Monitor, it does not look that threatening, nevertheless it should not be taken lightly. This is interesting evidence of underdeveloped safety features. Greetings
The photo I mentioned was not of a 70, but of a 71, and as it turns out with a safety valve. Here is the subject Bulging stove
@Knee, now that is a blown tank! I'm amazed it didn't pull apart. Clearly the SRV failed. I agree with the various contributors that trying to hammer the blown tank back into shape would be a dangerous idea. I've certainly no intention of trying and I think this Minor will, at best, get a very occasional short burn.
Hi @Robert Radcliffe Such a pity about the seriously deformed tank, although it does seem to have satisfied the “ Leak before break “ philosophy of the original design. Here is my description of the design and manufacture of this stove: Monitor Minor from early 1930s. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Thanks @kerophile, an interesting read and I'm quite envious of your fine example. These don't seem to surface often so a poor example is better than no example, but I'd love to find a better one at some point.
