optimus 111 - mid fifties

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

 

Hello @snwcmpr .
Looking at it again, I would say you are correct.
Cheers, John

 

+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.

 

+1 with @ArchMc

 

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:

preheat with meths, and then:

oops, little flame from spindle to be adjusted. After having done that it performes great!

 

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

 

Good job

 

Do you not just love a flame??

 

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

 

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.



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

 

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

 

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 greetings, Tonio

 

Well done.

 

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

 

A fine pair.

 

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

 

Nice work!