I just got this really nice 111b. First off. Any idea of the date. So there is some really tough tarnish on the tank. It was much worse. I used Mothers, and a Miracle cloth on it. I got 90% off. But that's all that's coming of by hand. Can you guys recommend another product. Otherwise I'm thinking of using my power buffer on it. But this is a professional buffer. Is there a danger of buffing through the brass. I've never done brass. Just aluminum motorcycle parts. This thing is obviously used. But not much I would say. I do see on one of the tubes it looks like it could be a leak near the top, just under the burner. Not sure as I've never owned one of these. The other tube does not look like it. Is this normal.
I start with a degreaser> bars keepers friend liquid> mother's aluminum > finish with soft wool wheel. You got a nice one, mine has not yet arrived but tracking number says tomorrow so
@MartyJ I use “Autosol” polish, but Mother’s Mag is reputed to be good. I polish with a Dremel polishing wheel and the Autosol followed by a soft cloth. The score on the burner looks interesting... You should test it first by lighting it, before fiddling around trying to braze it. If you know precisely where the crack is (if there is one) your repair job will be easier. I assume you’ve got the flame ring for it. Cheers Tony
Apart from acting as burner legs, the function of the two tubes are indeed different. The first one pictured is the fuel riser, whereas the second is in effect just a funnel to allow you to fill the priming cup from the top of the burner. Dean
Hi @Quick Cal .You asked about a manufacturing date for your Op. 111b It looks like it could be one of the first series of the Op.111b produced, say around The mid-1950s. Have a look at this post and see how your stove compares: Early Optimus 111B. mid 1950s Best Regards, Kerophile.
Yes. My stove seems identical to that one other than I do not have the sticker on the case. Is the sticker involved for dating. It seems strange that the case is so nice but the sticker is missing. Unless of course it was never there.
The stickers are foil with an adhesive back and can become detached over time (around 65 years in this case). The other features of the fully embossed case, and stove itself, taken as a group are the most reliable indicators of likely manufacturing date. Reproduction foil stickers are available. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Looks pretty nice from my house! Why buff away all of its history? I used some 0000 steel wool with Mother's on my first brassy stoves and I look back at with regret because I can see the micro scratches I caused with my (over)enthusiasm to "get this stove back up to snuff!" On an aside, Cal, do you have something personal against the question mark? You know, that punctuation thing that's supposed to be used at the end of a question?
You would have had to seen the before pics. It looked like someone wiped the tank with something corrosive. I really thought something was eating into the tank. The rest of the stove was so nice it looks nearly new. No real "patina". Unless I spend big bucks on one of these, which is very unlikely, this will be the nicest one I'll own. So I wanted to make it look new since it had the potential. As far as my punctuation??? Ya. The question mark really does bug me. I think it looks funny, out of place. I don't use it on purpose. I think about it every time I ask a question. I've tried to slip one in sometimes, but I just can't do it. Now if I was writing a term paper I might use one. But this is the internet. The dang thing just bugs me like lol bugs you. You must have been a grammar teacher,,,lol. Now see. There's an example of why I use lol. If I didn't use it there you might have thought I was being a jerk with that comment. But I meant it to be light hearted. I think a lol or smiley face is needed sometimes to show emotion. But I aint using no dam smiley face.
I will agree. Punctuation is helpful. We do have a few contrarians here though. "Lets eat Grandma." "Lets eat, Grandma"
@Quick Cal Does that mean we need to start a Question Mark Protection Society, like the Apostrophe Protection Society? The most obvious advantage of using the question mark is to show that you are asking a question, not just stringing together a few statements. Scanning a post and seeing no question marks would make me think you did not need any assistance. Cheers Tony
Quick Cal, that is one of the nicest looking 111 cases I've seen. As far as the tank, on mine I have these marks on the bottom. Never bothered with it, however if it was as visible as yours I would try something. Overall a beautiful example you have there.
