optimus 111 - mid fifties

Discussion in 'Optimus No:111 (all variants) + later Hiker & Hike' started by burny pyromaniac, Dec 1, 2019.

  1. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hm, looks just flattened to me. A better photo, or a report after soaking in oil would be good to know.
     
  2. threedots

    threedots New Zealand Subscriber

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    Hello @snwcmpr .
    Looking at it again, I would say you are correct.
    Cheers, John:)
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2019
  3. ArchMc

    ArchMc SotM Winner Subscriber

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    +1 on @kerophile 's suggestion to treat the rusty areas with phosphoric acid. Rust like that is not just patina. It's destructive and, untreated, you will soon have holes through your case.

    Nice find, by the way. Eleventy-ones are great!

    ....Arch
    Edit: You should also check your spirit can for pinhole leaks, and consider treating its rusted and interior surfaces with phosphoric acid.
     
  4. JP2

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  5. burny pyromaniac Netherlands

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    Hi all,
    A little soaking in olive oil and some fiddling around trying to get the thing back in the tube: the pump is performing fabulously,
    With a borrowed fuel cap from one of my other 111’s it is time to try the beast:
    341A6156-193E-447E-8631-689716A747E2.jpeg
    preheat with meths, and then:
    81A38CBB-61DE-4B05-B815-7411A5C5249D.jpeg
    oops, little flame from spindle to be adjusted. After having done that it performes great!
     
  6. burny pyromaniac Netherlands

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    B4A98AAA-A372-4054-A9F4-2698E335A6EC.jpeg
    09417A91-5E2E-499E-A5B6-34163971D99E.jpeg
    so now back to the rusty case: I decided to refurbish the whole case, but that will have to wait untill spring.
    Nice stove:
    Greetings, Tonio
     
  7. JP2

    JP2 Subscriber

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    Good job
     
  8. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Do you not just love a flame??
     
  9. burny pyromaniac Netherlands

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    I do!
    You should know that I did not even fuel it up, it burns on the paraffin that was still in it when it came by mail from France!
    Tonio
     
  10. burny pyromaniac Netherlands

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    Hi folks,

    I finally got to the refurbishment of the case of my early fifties Optimus 111.

    Although de upper half of the case was in remarkably good condition, the lower half was rusting and loosing paint. I hesitated whether to preserve the good part and take on the bad parts, but decided to tackle the whole case.

    Electrolysis bath and painting had to wait for spring, but now I got round to it.
    IMG_1467.jpg
    IMG_1482.jpg IMG_1533.jpg
    image8.jpeg image5.jpeg image7.jpeg image9.jpeg image3.jpeg image1.jpeg image0.jpeg
    I polished the tank only a bit, but the result shows the age of almost 70 years, which is to me better than a finish newer than new.
    If pandemic circumstances allow this year, it will go with me camping!
    Enjoy!
    Greetings, Tonio
     
  11. kerophile

    kerophile United Kingdom SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hi Tonio @burny pyromaniac . Looking great! Good work and it looks like new.
    Best Regards,
    Kerophile.
     
  12. burny pyromaniac Netherlands

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    thanks all for the compliments! I surprised myself with the result! All thanks to the knowledge you all share with this forum, especially you @kerophile special thanks. I used Motip paint, number 52750 70E871C4-CC1B-45D9-9965-1E878FD12632.jpeg greetings, Tonio
     
  13. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Well done.
     
  14. burny pyromaniac Netherlands

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    Hi all,
    After refurbishing the 111, I decided to take it with me on holiday to France. Pandemic circumstances did not prevent camping,luckily.

    IMG_0341.JPG IMG_0342.JPG
     
  15. Ian

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    A fine pair. :)
     
  16. kerophile

    kerophile United Kingdom SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hi, beautiful and efficient classic stoves. Great post,
    Best Regards,
    Kerophile.
     
  17. The Warrior

    The Warrior United States Subscriber

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    Nice work!