Hi All Just joined up and need some data on the torch pictured. Year of manufacture etc, would be great. I have seen pictures of a complete one and will fabricate new steel parts for it, including the preheater spirit cup and a new top soldering iron holder. The pump is already fettled and I'll make a new wick for it. Cheers Rod
Gday also need to know how the main head unit is sealed to the pump tank. Is this done with some form of sealant? And your opinions on the wick please. Cheers all
Fettling update Pics show new part fabricated and the old part I hate rust. Will be painted with matt black etch primer and heat will do the rest. Cheers Rod
These Self Heating Soldering Irons (SHSI) are interesting and your Optimus looks to be an early one possibly the mid-thirties onwards to perhaps mid-fifties. Primus models in the 1934 catalog look quite similar excepting for the tank flutes which are more common on Optimus and Sievert brands. Australian brand ones such as Darlton are generally post war to the late fifties. Because they usually run on Coleman Fuel / Shellite I would investigate some sort of petrol resistant joint sealant. Nice job on making the part. Mostly (but not all) the burner covers and spirit cups have rusted away or are badly damaged on those that I have seen or acquired. 1947-1963 Darlton SHSI
Gday all thanks for all the kind remarks lads. The torch is now finished as in the pics, and I only need to seal the pump thread where it screws onto the head with something, not sure what yet, I'll keep you posted on this. The small copper rivets are hand made and are 5mm long and 1.8mm in Dia. The cup is a small pill? case and the stand was based on the one and only photo of an original torch I could find on line. Cheers Rod
