Optimus 8r, official instructions, lighting and And Safety Notes

[@Helen-and-Katarin-Juska-law]

Thank you so much for this video. We have an 8R from the 1970'swhich, so far as I know, has never been used, or if it has then the previous owner was very careful as there is not a mark on it. Now we know how to fire it up and what fuel to use - it has absolutely no instructions with it. Once again, many thanks, stay well, stay safe, Helen with Kat and Terri with Robyn.

[@BensWorkshop]

I am pleased it was helpful! You can also use Coleman's fuel, (White gas) which smells less if you prefer. I did post a cummunity post with both a picture and text of the instructions here: kzbin.infoUgkxQQPzwDARk8fRH-q2GX3Tc-P21KM-O5E_ Please like, share and if you like the channel, subscribe!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Aha! The Cup of Tea Video, definitely a landmark in your ouevre. The built-in pricker is genius! I'd never seen one of those. Cheers Ben, that was fun.

[@BensWorkshop]

There will be another cup of tea in next Sunday's video too! Many thanks for watching!

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@BensWorkshop I'll remember to get some biscuits in.

[@BensWorkshop]

Good plan!

[@knatelyx5647]

SAFE START OF THE SVEA 123R or Optimus 8R: The fuel tank should be filled to no more that 4/5 full, to allow some airspace, using white gas / Coleman fuel / Shellite Add just enough priming fuel to fill the priming cup. Svea suggests waming the tank with your hands, to cause just enough fuel to come out to fill the pre-heat trough. Then, close the valve. Tip: Dribble fuel down the inside wall of the burner cup. It will drip into the priming cup. This is a great way to prevent spillage and resulting large flames. Then light it with the key turned fully clockwise (OFF). You do not want the stove to add additional fuel to these external flames during warm-up. Let the priming fuel completely burn off. Then, you should be able to just open the key, and light the burner, (it will now be pressurized), getting a good, controlled flame. Happy cooking!

[@BensWorkshop]

I out up a link to the actual manufacturers instructions. Many thanks for watching, please like, share and if you like the channel, subscribe!

[@Big_Johns]

That's a neat little burner Ben, thanks for sharing.

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks John, and thanks for watching!

[@Big_Johns]

Anytime brother 👍🏼

[@GoKartsorGoneFishin]

I dig that..I love camping and survival stuff..great video!

[@BensWorkshop]

Cheers Nate. You'll like next Sunday's video, a small wood burning stove! Thanks for watching!

[@Robert-uy1gd]

I have a R8, bought new around 1980. Been using it regularly, alternated with a gascanister stove and a Trangia. Gas stoves are not very efficient on cold days, alcohol stoves are difficult to light. (on cold days) and require a lot fuel on longer trips. Petrol has more energy per quantity. The R8 uses regular petrol which is the most widely available fuel around the word. When I am travelling on my motorbike fuel is never a problem.... I prime the stove with methylated spirits. I carry a 250 ml bottle and use a syringe to fill the prime bowl. Three mill at the time, and with three times priming a day that bottle last the best part of a month. Use a windshield! That will save a lot of fuel. When I go walking I will not always be able to find fuel so Ia have to be carefull with it. The R8 is not lightweight but offset against the reliability and ease of use (once that is acquired...) make it my go to stove.

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks for that. Hope you enjoyed it. Please like share and subscribe!

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Ben, Cool little stove... Take care. Paul,,

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks Paul and thanks for watching!

[@pauleades9037]

I use Aspen 4 naptha (UK), in my 8R, which is cheaper than Colemans. I also purchased a 1L stainless steel camping kettle, which works a treat!

[@BensWorkshop]

If it works for you that is fantastic! Many thanks for watching, please like, share and if you like the channel subscribe!

[@AliMackMechanical]

Lovely looking machine handy bit of kit for a cuppa when out and about.👍

[@BensWorkshop]

It is good for its size though I normally take a bigger paraffin stove which boils a full kettle quicker, but when I am doing that I have a car rather than a back pack. Many thanks for watching!

[@samsgarage1716]

Very cool little camping stove.made the tea really hot in only 11 minutes not bad.

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks Sam, it is a neat little stove. Many thanks for watching!

[@enginelover1]

Thank you for the demonstration . Well done

[@BensWorkshop]

You are welcome and thanks for watching!

[@MrFactotum]

hi ben great safety video i need one of those for when we get power cuts🤣 you need to cut down on sugar!!!!🧐 take care Kev

[@BensWorkshop]

I would go for one of my paraffin stoves in a power cut, along with the paraffin Tilley lamps. Many thanks for watching! PS, I knew a chap who used to have 5 sugars in his tea!

[@billjaxin]

Lighting it is easier (and safer) with a bit of fire starter paste in the tray. Starting with camp gas usually does create that big initial flame. This was my first backpacker stove, bought in 1966 or not long after. I still have it but of course the new ones are a lot lighter for backpacking.

[@BensWorkshop]

Maybe but it is an extra thing to carry. Many thanks for watching, please like, share and if you like the channel, subscribe!

[@stumpyssmallengines]

great little stove ben very instructive videothanks ben

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks Stumpy and thanks for watching!

[@GrumpyTim]

I've been keeping my eyes open for one of these (since I saw your first video) but I've not seen any for anything other than a silly price, and it's not as if I need it, I just fancy one. Great little stove, you can't beat cooking your food or heating your drink outside, it just tastes better. Although it might look like I'm copying you, my next video will hopefully be featuring another vintage stove, which I've had since I was a kid and only recently found again - I've never used it, and I've got to fabricate a part and try an untested theory to fill the thing, so that video might never even happen......only time will tell. Good safety advice for the Optimus, petrol is just that bit more scary than paraffin, so it's worth a bit of extra care.

[@BensWorkshop]

Sorry for rubbing your face in it! Don't worry about me thinking you are copying, as people with similar interests are quite likely to cover similar ground! What is the stove? Also many thanks for watching!

[@GrumpyTim]

@@BensWorkshop Ahha, it's a Weedex Portable Gas Stove - and that's why I never used it - no way of getting the non disposable bottle refilled when I was a kid, but they've invented the internet since then and someone else has come up with a good method to refill them safely, so hopefully, soon I'll have it running......

[@BensWorkshop]

Ah. A gas stove you can't get the bottles for? That's why I like the paraffin and petrol stoves! (Mind you there will be a wood burning stove next week).

[@GrumpyTim]

@@BensWorkshop Yep, I'm definitely a fan of paraffin and wood (not at the same time), but this gas stove has been one of those things I've always wanted to try out, so hopefully I'll scratch that itch fairly soon. Looking forward to seeing your wood stove.

[@BensWorkshop]

I can definitely see you wanting to try it! We used to have a gas stove that permanently punctured the can (remember those). Now I think about it, I wonder how they filled them? Certainly can't refill those.

[@rotaryhoes]

Nifty little stove for its size.

[@BensWorkshop]

It is, though I prefer the little Paraffin ones like my Primus 96 which is a similar size but has a lower chance of going bang! Many thanks for watching!

[@ahah1785]

i have tried everything on my nr 8 (no cleaning needle): new wick and stainless steel mesh, rebuild safety cap pip, replaced cap gasket too...and nothing no pressure - i used coleman fule/white gas...should i use car gasoline in it maybe? I dont think it has any tank leaks. My only option is to find that super rare optional pump i suppose....Never liked these self pressurizing stoves.

[@BensWorkshop]

There should be a needle in the burner. If there isn't you are not going to be able to clean the jet. I was not aware there was a wick in it. Have you dissembled the burner? Also from a functional point of view, Coleman fuel is the same a petrol/gasoline, so if it does not work on that it will not work on petrol. Many thanks for watching, please like, share and if you like the channel, subscribe!

[@ahah1785]

@@BensWorkshop its optimus no8 ( not 8r ) and it does not have a needle built in. You have to use i prick in case of blockage. Yes i have taken it apart and it had wick in the feed tube as well as very fine brass mesh that the wick was rolled in. Some say only use coleman fuel in non pressurizing stoves others say gasoline....well gonna try it next i suppose.

[@BensWorkshop]

Does it have a pressure release like mine does?

[@ahah1785]

well stupid me ive tried to use kerosene insted of gasoline in it...obviously that would work very poorly...

[@raedfayed1120]

Hello Ben. Sugar is bad for you. I stopped taking sugar 6 years ago. I love sweets though. 🤣

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks. I don't do a lot of sweets though. Many thanks for watching, please like, share and if you like the channel, subscribe!

[@michaelsummers5001]

The instructions are miss leading as they say use petrol / gasoline then only use white gas which is Coleman fuel not automotive fuel.

[@BensWorkshop]

The instructions I have, which came with this stove make no mention of white gas, I have a community post with a picture of the instructions and the text from them. See link below. Many thanks for watching, please like, share and if you like the channel, subscribe! kzbin.infoUgkxQQPzwDARk8fRH-q2GX3Tc-P21KM-O5E_

[@murrayhowe8388]

That kettle is way to big for an 8r.... Not a good idea to use big kettles or pans with these little puppies,you run the risk of overheating the fuel tank,and testing out your Nrv pip (non return valve) in the fuel cap. Take care

[@mr1pearl]

I bet that is old and good for another 50 years don't make em like that any more !

[@BensWorkshop]

It was bought in the 60s, so yes and I expect it will last many years more. The Primus 96 I showed earlier in the year dates from the 1920s though and is still going strong! Many thanks for watching!