Travelling-Optimus No:1 - Fiber Box

Optimus No 1 Traveler similar to Spiritburner's Traveler.... Link
The difference I noticed is the layout of the dividers.
This may match the 1921 date Spiritburner wrote about his, and the catalog reference for a fiber box being available. (USA only??)
I opened the box just a few hours ago. I have not cleaned it, it has an odor of storage all about it.




The 2 pieces on the right came with it but I do not believe that they part of the kit.


I think the pump assembly is incomplete.

There is a hex 'nut?' at the bottom of the pump tube.


The flame spreader is broken



To be continued:

 

Interesting tortoise-shell patina on that stove. Are you going to clean it?

 

Fantastic Ken! Have Fun.

 

WOW! That stove has lived a hard life! Great find, will you more or less keep her like you found her? This stove has heaps of charisma.
It is not to clear from the photo (at least not for my tired eyes ) but it looks like the bottom threaded part is missing on the pump rod, and (maybe because of this) I don't see the pump cup assy in your photos. If in need, I might have one from a donor stove, just shout!

All the best,

Wim

 

Ken

The hex nut that you can see down the pump tube may be the rest of the pump rod assembly! try putting the rod back in the tube and locating it in the hole in the hex nut and then turn it clockwise to try and engage the thread in the nut then pull, you never know!
Good luck nick

 

Nick, you have good eyes! I think you're right, one can even see the leather of the pump cup. But I still think the threaded part of the pump rod broke, so that will be the reason why the cup assy sits down the tube!. Maybe first pour in some light oil, let it sit for a while & then use a (thick) wire with a "hook" bend at the end to pry it out.

Good luck Ken!

Wim

 

Hawk eye yourself Wim!

For spotting the missing thread off of the old rod maybe try a spare rod? there may be a bit of thread left that it could grab onto failing that a pair of long medical forceps or a reverse threaded screw soldered to a rod or as Wim said some sort of hook?

Nick

 

Strange nut. It seems to be octagonal.
Regards,
Kerophile.

 

wow look like treasure box

beautiful optimus stove !!




Gunsoo

 

"Are you going to clean it?"
"will you more or less keep her like you found her? This stove has heaps of charisma."
I am not sure I want to remove any charisma, so I may do just a minimal cleaning to remove dust.

"try putting the rod back in the tube and locating it in the hole in the hex nut and then turn it clockwise to try and engage the thread"
I tried that there is no contact with the rod all the way in. (Now I remember, that was with the pump tube cover in place, maybe that would work with it removed)

"Maybe first pour in some light oil, let it sit for a while & then use a (thick) wire with a "hook" bend at the end to pry it out."
That sounds good. I thought of that last night. (Great minds think alike)

"Hawk eye"
All of you.

"Strange nut. It seems to be octagonal"
Now, when George thinks it is a strange nut, that means something, like old, refurbished, alien part....

Thanks for all the nice comments.
Ken in NC

 

Isn't the hex nut a standard pump nut shape?
Nick

 

Hmmm,
George has a 'stovie eye'. It wasn't till I read his comment that I realized it is an octagonal, not hexagonal.

I will know more when I pull it out.
I have 3 in one oil in it, and will try to pull it with hooked wire.

I am imagining ..... someone tried to pull a stuck pump cup assembly out, without oiling it, and broke the rod. The rod being old, and weak.

Ken in NC

 

Hi Nick, Hex = 6, Octagonal = 8 sides. Have a good look at the nut at the bottom of the hole.

Ken, have a look at 4th page of this 1929 Optimus brochure:

https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/124


Parts No.250, 257 and 257a are octagonal shape piston nuts.

Have you tried a small magnet to retrieve the nut?

Best Regards,
Kerophile.

 

Thank you, George.
I saved the catalog and will print it to keep with this relic.

I tried the magnet, but it was stuck too hard for that.
But, a 'thick' wire with a small hook bent into it pulled it out.
The cup is in sad shape, but better than I imagined. And the nut was there, too. There is complete thread on the rod, the rod shows the machine mark from the lathe on the end. The nut goes on as designed.
So I have a complete pump assembly.

Ken in NC

 

Congratulations, Ken, on a great find. Can hardly wait to see it up close and personal. Difficult decision as to polish it or keep the "well loved" patina. We already know what it looks like polished. T'would take decades to restore the patina. In any case, I know you'll have it up and running soon.
Bud

 

Thanks Bud,
I think the turtle look is fine.
Ken

 

Beautiful old girl, wonderful, character-filled stove you now own. Love the sweet musky antique smell (1/2+ century old fuel residue?) of those old ones you described, always a treat. Gorgeous patina/color on the tank.

The cast iron pan ring is still solid and in one piece, looks like she's cracked along two of her rungs. There's a posting here on CCS on how one user fixed their's, but they are very fragile. Looks like someone has taken slip joint piers to the fuel cap once upon a time, is it still stuck fast or is it removable with hand pressure?

Enjoy fettling her back to roaring shape, looking forward to the flame shots.

 

I have all but the NRV pip and the pump cup to replace. The NRV came out easily, the lead washer is still in the tube.

The filler cap didn't have a gasket, it had some white chalky substance. Plumber putty? That washed away with some hot water and a brush.
I hand cut a Viton 70 Durometer 1/16" thick washer for the filler cap, that measures apprx 0.900".

I washed the tank with BB's and soap. Lots of gunk and solids.

I will not replace the lead washers unless the pressure test fails. (NRV and riser)

The bottom looks like it leaked a lot, and someone had to (try to) fix it. Fingers crossed.

Ken
More tomorrow

 

Congrats Ken, You really found a beauty! Hopefully the base will be ok.