just picked up an Optimus 8R off craigslist for $30.00...feel pretty good about the deal. This is my first 8R so I get home and start searching for info, find that Im missing a burner plate ("starish" shaped piece that fits on the burner head)where might I come across this piece? Also, I came across a YouTube video showing a small hand pump. Is the pump something I need to operate this stove and if so, where would I get one? TIA COD
Hey, COD, Welcome to CCS! the 8R is a favorite amongst many Stovies, world-wide, and for good reason. It's small, easy to use, and works very well. Unfortunately, without the flame spreader plate, your stove will not function. You can get a replacement from our site Sponsor, Basecamp, in the UK, or you can try A&H, in California. As for the mini-pump, if you fettle your stove properly, and learn to do all the things that doing so entails, you don't "need" the mini-pump, but they are nice to have. IF you choose to seek one out, and be warned that they go for super high cotton on eBay, you will also have to get a replacement fuel cap for your 8R, which was made to be used in conjunction with that little pump. The regular caps that came with those stoves were not meant to be used with the pump. I'd recommend you spend a good deal of time here at CCS, checking the tons of outstanding information on the 8R, and many other stoves. It will teach you everything you need in order to get your stove up and running, just like new! Have fun with it, and enjoy your learning, so you can enjoy your new stove! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
If you are wanting to fire up the stove before you find a proper brass flame plate, you can try to fabricate a temporary one. The concave bottom of a an empty aerosol is a good blank to start with. As others stated, the pump is a luxury; you don't really need it.
Here's how I made a makeshift flame spreader from a brass coin and some wire: https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/141163 Yonadav (You can actually see it on the left here.)
