Optimus 8R, old but runs as a charm

@Murph I like the idea! Right now with the ibrik it's a (minor) accident waiting to happen. Benefit would be that I can fire it up again for a new cuppa.

Now that I am using the stove multi-daily the heating times are going down and the roar is going up (Coleman Fuel is a good cure against stale gas deposits). Anybody tried sea foam in their stove?

 

@Happy Camper here you go, my 99, 8r, 111 and SVEA 123.

*Edit* just realized that my 111 is nickel plated

 

Why would anybody put Sea Foam in their stove?? It is mostly oil. When oil burns it produces....carbon deposits.

 

Just joking on the sea foam! Being into classic cars I've seen people burn it to clean their engine...

@ajvuik thanks for the picture!

 

I have heard some use Sea Foam regularly. It is reported as an effective cleaner.
I recall mostly on the Coleman Collectors Forum.

 

So I was looking for an 111 but the ones online are too expensive or new for my taste so I just bid on an Optimus 8 (and it got accepted). I'm being told that it runs but being the 8 it does not have the integrated cleaning mechanism. Do I need the pricker badly or should it be fine whilst using clean fuel? And what would be alternatives to the Primus needle?

This 8 is is again a slightly crusty example but this time not a rare piece. So I can practise electrolysis and painting this summer.

 

Hi @Happy Camper Buying a well used, ‘crusty’ stove of this age would indicate that cleaning needles would be a good idea.
I believe that the jet aperture size should be 0.23 mm diameter, so these should be the correct “prickers” or cleaning needles:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRIMUS-S...466843?hash=item1c54e65a5b:g:Zw8AAOSwI-BWQLv0

Best Regards,
Kerophile.

 

You need a pricker of some sort. You can get em on ebay, or am sure Fettlebox, or a music shop (guitar string) or a bristle out of a wire brush works sometimes.

I would like one wo the built in cleaning needle. I am clumsy enough sometimes when turning it up with cold hands I turn my 8R too far.
Looking forward to pictures!!

 

Dear @kerophile, thanks again for the tip! I just realised that the chosen word "pricker" might be 'interesting' to some and in any case a bad example of Dunglish (Dutch English)

 

You are either very lucky or very good. Your two new stoves are great collector's items. Brad

 

Yet another very interesting stove. A fairly early Op.8 from perhaps 1930s/40s?

https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/pre-ptc-optimus-8s-8rs.15470/

Embossed case with the Patent No, and the case catch and carrying handles both on the front of the case, crowned by a nickel-plated tank!

As @BradB says you are either very lucky of very good.

Best Regards,
Kerophile.

 

@Happy Camper

First: What an excellent find your No.8 is!

Second: Yes, you will need a pricker. @kerophile has pointed you to the right information. Make sure you buy a pricker that is less than 0.23mm diameter. I restore old prickers with stainless steel high “e” guitar string (0.20mm).

Third: Having an internal pricker is convenient, but it’s another thing that can go wrong. A burner that uses an external pricker is easier to service and fix ‘in the field’.

Fourth: “Pricker” is the correct word in English. The verb is “to prick”. But using “prick” as a noun has at least two meanings...

Cheers

Tony

 

I personally prefer the 8 to the 8R. The 123 to the 123R.
But, that leaves all the "R"s to others.

 

What to say... Judging from your words I have been lucky so far. But can it be that certain regions have more specimens for offer than others? For instance there is a very well preserved model 8r for sale right now: https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/antiek...84ef0ece270f44503df9f8598c624&previousPage=lr

 

I personally prefer the 8R to the 8. But the 123 to the 123R.

 

This is the Classic Camp Stoves site, I think the 8 is more Classic and more Classy.
Just ask @hikerduane

 

Ofcourse. I am more of a user, and my 8R is a better working stove for me than the 8.
And as backpacking camp stove, I prefer 123 over 8R, because it is less weigth. My 8 with aluminium case is almost as light weigth as 123, and if I had liked it better as a stove, it could well became my favorite camp stove. Which one is most classic is not important for me.

 

The "new" 8 had some strange fuel in it, almost smelling like turpentine, and with a strange burning smell too. But I added Coleman Fuel and after a few start-up sessions and pricking she is roaring again. She smoked a bit here and there whilst really heating up since clearly it has been some time. But no problems with the rubber fuel cap seal on this one.

The priming cup is much smaller than the 8R but sufficient. This burner seems to have a copper rolled-up grated tube inside instead of a wick, or maybe this tube contains it? Difficult to photograph since the camera focusses on the tank but you get the idea.


It came with three bent Optimus prickers of which 2 broke whilst straitening, so one could be used. I did learn the quick way that the key should not be left on the burner whilst in operation

The little clamp on the box for the key and prickers is missing, but that's it's biggest flaw.

I actually quite like not being able to overturn the key and kill the flame like with the 8R.

 

Nice find, not many show up. I have a number/variety of the earliest 8's, all run great, just need extra priming time with the small priming cup which I supplement with half a Tilley butterfly clip. They have a variety of the early fuel caps and fuel "pipe".
Duane

 

I like the built in prickers. Having the pricker separate means I will probably break it or lose it. I like the 8R, 123R, and the great 111. Although, as afoton said, the 123 is a good bit lighter than the 123R if you are counting grams in a backpack.