Adjusting the Optimus 8r

I replaced a graphite seal in the valve stem of my 8r and had to adjust the valve to properly shut off.

[@josephwarra5043]

What a nice camp stove, those Optimus stoves will run forever if taken care of, good luck and GBA/LLR -- "God Bless America/Long Live the Republic!"

[@dreamcreationsadventures]

Really nice one, and even with the box. Great addition to your collection Robert. You’re amazing 👍🏻

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks my friend. Some of the Coleman collectors like the original box with lantern more than they do the lantern. The stove and the box are in decent shape but the box isn't what sold me. If you ever get a chance to get one of these Optimus stove you should grab it. You will be hooked at first light. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@SkullySkullmeister]

What a great find and what a truly beautiful stove. My dad gave me his "8R" before he passed away a few years ago, I use it and treasure it to this day. Thank you for sharing this!

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Good to hear. It's a great piece of gear from the past. Something great to hand down for generations to come. God bless.

[@davesherry5384]

I subscribed just because of your opening declaration. Then I found out what this was about. Still subscribed. This has been a really useful video. I know believe I might just be able to adjust my 8R after that. Great stuff! Thank you!

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Loved Seeing The Lil Gal Come Back To Life, Thanks, Robert. ATB Ter & Mel God Bless

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks Terry. Didn't think I was going to get it. I ordered long ago and it was shipped the next day but got stopped in Ontario and just sit there for the longest time. I was beginning to think they decided to to keep it and make a coffee station for the crew. Lol. Hope all is well with you and your family. God bless

[@shovelhead8]

Nice little stove. I am glad to learn a little bit more about these stoves. Thank you for the video, Robert. Stay safe and stay warm.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks my friend. If you ever run across one of these you should grab it. I really like them better than the Coleman. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@bipedalbob]

Another great video, these stoves are great, I'm suprised they are no longer made, I bought my mine back when I was a kid in boy scouts, ( I'm now 66) our scout master had one and I was enchanted by it. I don't remember what I payed for it but I do remember it was expensive even then, but in retrospect worth every penny. During a period of hard times I cooked all my meals on it for a year and half and it performed flawlessly . Fortunately I bought the optional tank pump for it way back when and it was expensive too but makes it much easier to light, I guess they're hard to find now. Like you said if you ever get a chance to buy one grab it You'll be glad you did.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

I bought my first Optimus almost fifteen years ago at a local flea market for thirty bucks. I had never seen anything like it before. Didn't know anything about it but was fascinated at first sight. It had issues and I couldn't get it to light. It sit on a shelf in my shop for a while before I ran across a KZbin channel / Charlie Tango one. A guy over in England who had a video on it. With his help I was able to get it burning. This is now my favorite all time stove. A few years ago I was gifted a rebuild kit and an external pump from another KZbinr Paul over at the real 11t channel. Haven't used the pump yet. I guess I just enjoy the priming process. I have met some of my best friends from the KZbin channel and really like the share the knowledge as I can. kzbin.info kzbin.info/door/jkm6uNSav5yVxTCpXJ2DSA

[@bipedalbob]

@@BluegrassBushcraft thanks for the links, KZbin is a great resource, watching you disassemble that stove was great, it was like I was standing beside you , I wonder about some detail and you addressed it ad if you heard the question.. Which reminds me, the tool you used in the disassembley to take the valve out of the tank with out damaging it, did you make it or buy it.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

@@bipedalbob I have a cool little camera holder with a clamp on one end and it is long and flexible. I can clamp it just about anywhere. With my editing software I can pan and zoom shots as needed to crop videos to really close up so I can get better details. The check valve tool is one of the best tools I have invented in for this hobby. It runs a close race with the lantern vice I built. I purchased it from a guy on Facebook on one of the Coleman collectors groups. It's been several years ago but I think it was around thirty eight bucks shipped but don't hold me to that price. You can also find one at oldcolemanparys.com Don't think that works. Try this. www.oldcolemanparts.com/home.php

[@bipedalbob]

@@BluegrassBushcraft thanks again for the links, I'd much rather spend the money on the tool than the part I ruined cause I did have it. I like the vice clamp, when I saw it my old original workmate folding work stand came to mind, I've had that for 40 years as well, the top opens and closes in the centre with crank handles , an auxiliary top with the cut out and hose would be an easy add on. Might as well make it now it seems these stoves become an addiction any found at a reasonable price will probably be coming home.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

@@bipedalbob I have seen some of the other guys use that little work bench for the lantern clamp. I was going to buy one for that purpose before I found this design. Just a fair warning. This is a crazy addiction and it's going to be a long hard ride. It's probably going to cause a little trouble in the homeland but there's no turning back and no twelve step programs. Lol.

[@margaretadler6162]

Love those stoves! I would love to own one. So I'll keep looking!

[@t1962ful]

Ebay always has some, give a try!

[@Thereal111t]

Glad to see that stuff is going to good use! That looks like a good specimen!

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks Paul. I have several different models and years of Coleman single burner camping stoves but the Optimus will always be my favorite. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@louie4316]

I've run 87 octane on my 8R and 111B for decades with no issues, once every 5 years or so i just give the internals a bit of a clean and that's it.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Good to know. Never tried it but it's always good to have an alternative. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

That stove is in really nice shape! Looks like you got a keeper! I am sure you will have that fine tuned and sounding like a jet engine very soon.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks Chris. These little Optimus stoves a great. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@justusupnorth8262]

That one sure looks like a treasure.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Definitely a treasure in my book. The Optimus is one of my favorites. Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

[@joeweber4537]

That's a really neat stove Robert. Look forward to seeing it in action.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks Joe. Oh man I can't wait for the spring meet. I will brew us up a cup of coffee. God bless

[@TheBeardedCarpenter]

Howdy Robert- that is one cool little stove. You have a lot of patience to be able to fix those goodies you get. Thank you for sharing this. Have a great weekend. God bless

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks my friend. I have to say that most all I have learned from guys just like you right here on KZbin. Hope all is well with you and your family. God bless.

[@doinsngoins]

Absolutely gorgeous stove

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks my friend. The Optimus is definitely my favorite. God bless

[@LaurentGouzouAKALynx]

Awesome tutorial on how to insert and adjust the cleaning needle 👌👏👏👏 those Optimus blue box are just fantastics stoves . I have a 111 that I need to change the spindle,the graphite gasket and the cleaning needle( the needle is broken) . Thanks for your just perfect video👍👊✌️

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Great little stoves. The small graphite coated leather seal inside the valve is there only downfall. I just toss them and put a pure graphite seal from a Coleman lantern. They are about twice as think or even more but the diameter is the same. The graphite seal is available at oldcolemanparts.com. There are two different sizes available and you will need the smaller one. I broke the needle off my other 8r but it dosen't effect the performance any. I have never had to remove the tip and clean it but I only run Coleman fuel in it. Regular gasoline would be a different story.

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Can't wait to find a 111 for my collection.

[@LaurentGouzouAKALynx]

@@BluegrassBushcraft that’s a very good info my friend I thank you so much because my researchs lead my to a place in UK and with overseas fees it cost more that 75$ canadians. I only use coleman fuel I don’t see the need to use gasoline unless in very bad scenario.👍👍👍👊✌️

[@LaurentGouzouAKALynx]

@@BluegrassBushcraft it’s very good stove I have it since the early 80’ and it serve me well. Hope you can find one in good condition at reasonable price👍✌️

[@doinsngoins]

Stunner Stove , nice fix !

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks. Paul over at the real 111t channel and Ray over at Charlie Tango one channel really helped me out how to get these old Optimus stove going again. I had my first one just sitting on the shelf probably a year or longer not knowing how to fix it. I have met a lot of really great friends who have tought me so much on KZbin. I consider some of these guys really good friends. Some I have got to meet in person and some who I will probably never have a chance to meet but still consider them great friends and that includes you. God bless

[@doinsngoins]

In the Box , 👌

[@charlietango1635]

That's a nice stove Robert, when you strip it down, take the jet out and adjust the pricker anti-clockwise ( to the left) 1 or 2 turns, that should stop the candling, and you may as well clean the jet out while you have it in bits, I agree, I don't think it has had a lot of use, you got yourself a nice little stove there Robert, I gave you these guide lines BEFORE I finished watching the video, well down mate. ENJOY MY FRIEND

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Thanks Ray. I catch myself writing comments all the time while watching the videos and end up deleting and writing them again because I spoke to soon. Lol. Thanks for watching my friend and God bless.

[@ahah1785]

todays gasoline got some nasty additives mixed in. So using white gas ( coleman fuel) is probably better to avoid gunk from unburned gasoline. 8R is on my list but so far i managed to get an older 8 (unregulated).

[@vaughnsnyder5902]

Would you make a video on how to install the graphite tape please. Thank you

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

I really wish I could but don't have any this time that are leaking. I try not to remove the valve nut unless there is a leak because this could damage a good seal. The next time I find a leaking one I will definitely make a video. I really wish I had got the video this time but was really concentrating on the problem and forgot about the video. Ray over at the Charlie Tango one channel is going to start a series on completely refurbishing an Optimus and hopefully he will cover this. In the mean time have you tried tighten down the valve nut a little more? More time than not this will fix the problem on my Coleman lanterns. Thanks for stopping by. God bless.

[@Tamlin73]

Hi nice primus :) i own a Fuhrmeister no 8 its for sale for the right price. Best regards from Norway.

[@bonnie8441]

Nice.What size is that syringe you've got please Robert?.Do you buy them from a pharmacy or hardware shop?

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Sorry can't remember the size of the syringe. I just asked for it at the local Walgreens pharmacy. If you're wanting it to prime a stove I wouldn't recommend this one. It's way too hard to plunge and you get alot of over spray.

[@doinsngoins]

OHHHH Robert ! SCORE

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Definitely. Just got an opportunity to pick up an Optimus 111. Been wanting one for a long while. Can't wait but it will be coming from England and that will be like waiting on Christmas. Lol. Thanks for watching. God bless.

[@doinsngoins]

@@BluegrassBushcraft cant WAIT !!!!

[@charlietango1635]

Robert, did you ever get a Optimus 111 ??

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Just the one I bought from you. I can't remember if it's the 111 or the 111B?

[@crisblack7899]

Hey uncle robert

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Hey buddy. How you doing? I'm itching for a camping trip.

[@crisblack7899]

@@BluegrassBushcraft I got a hammock

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

@@crisblack7899 awesome. You tried it yet?

[@crisblack7899]

@@BluegrassBushcraft yep

[@nigelnightmare4160]

They call it 'politically incorrect'. I call it 'Freedom of speech'.

[@charlietango1635]

Robert, I understand in your video you are on the lookout for an Optimus 111, well I have an offer ONLY to you my friend, you can make me an offer for one of my 111 if you are interested that is, because all these stoves are getting very hard to find, just bare in mind the shipping cost, which I think was £15 as I recall, it is entirely up to you, no pressure whatsoever, I will make a very short video of the stoves on my bench, you just tell me which one you want, there is NOT a time limit on it. ATB Ray (Charlie Tango 1)

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Wow! I really don't know what to say Ray. You have always been really good to me my friend.

[@charlietango1635]

Just uploading it now 13.50pm

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

Comments are turned off on your last video. You probably forgot to check the box this video is not made for kids. If you skip it the comments are automatically restricted. Hey I think since the green stove gave you such a fit I will have to go with it. Seems like every stove I get gives me a little fight and first. Lol. I will message you a little later about the payment arrangements. Thanks again my friend. God bless.

[@charlietango1635]

@@BluegrassBushcraft I have changed the settings, so now people can comment if they wish.