Hello to all! Well, I dug a hole for myself... I have a Primus 1020 circa 1935. This is a beautiful lantern and one of my favorites. The NRV finally crapped out on it and I am having a rough time trying to remove it. I have the "special" tool for removing the NRV but I have been trying for so long I've rounded the sides of the NRV and now I can't get the tool to grip it. I've tried penetrating oil, filling the tank with boiling water for 10 minutes, etc and I still can't get the damn thing to break free. Pleaseeeee help me!!!!!!
It is possible to drill them out, but you need a long drill, if you have the right size of drill it will come out, in to the tank. I have done this on a Optimus 200 with good result.
@george The two "last resort" options are: 1. Use an "easy out" to screw it from the pump tube; or 2. De-solder the pump and take it off the tank. Tony
I would go for the drill and "easy out" method myself. The shoulders of the NRV are rounded now so it will need to be replaced anyway. I believe there is a good thread on here somewhere describing this process, but havn't had much luck finding it.
@george Make sure your easy-out is smaller than the thread of the NRV and that it is centred accurately during extraction. It may be worthwhile using an pump cap or similar, to keep the easy-out lined up with the centre of the NRV. Cheers Tony
Haven't been able to try it yet. Other things popped up. My wife had two major surgeries in six days and I have my hands full right now. Really want to see if the easy out works. Will get back with either good or bad results.
@george I asked because I have the same problem with a MEWA 351L and I recently ordered a set of screw extractors. A fellow collector told me that MEWA used aluminium washers instead of lead washers or they left the washer completely away and tightened the valve brass on steel, I hope I will get it out and my further hope is that a Petromax valve will fit. I wish you luck removing your valve and all the best to your wife! Cheers Stephan
@george My extractors arrived today and I was able to remove the NRV. As I broke my sole long 3mm drill off I had to hammer a small torx into the valve to enlarge the hole to give the extractor a good grip. I plan to reuse the valve because it stayed fully functional thanks to the height of its head. I will have to fill the rounded slot with JB WELD and when cured I will cut a new slot in the undamaged brass. Sorry for hijacking your thread but I considered the information as maybe useful. Cheers Stephan
Refurbished MEWA NRV. Rounded slot closed with JB WELD to prevent tools to get in the wrong place. New slot filed a bit deeper as the original one. Cheers Stephan
Well, have to admit you had luck with yours. I am not worried about ruining the NRV in my Primus 1020 (it didn't work anyway). I still am having a problem getting the NRV out. I have done enough damage to the NRV that I have to be careful I don't damage the threads in the pump barrel. I'll give it another go when things start to improve here at home with my wife. Thanks for all your help.
My idea for the next step, that luckily was not nexessary, was to glue a hex nut on the NRV and use a ratchet/socket to try to remove it. That's why I had JB WELD ready to close the ruined slot . Take your time and I am sure things will sort
JB weld doesn't sound like a bad idea. That would be better than un-soldering the pump barrel. However, if I have to un-solder the pump barrel what would be the best way to do it? I am terrible when it comes to soldering and un-soldering could be a nightmare for me...
What type of screw extractor did you use? There are different types available. The extractor that I used is for screws with cylindrical hexagon heads. There are other types for cross slit countersunk head screws. They differ in the shape and pitch of the cone.
G'day George Have a look at this post . Its a stove but the method is the same. Pump Tube Removal and NRV Rework
GREAT! Thanks, when I get the chance and the easy out just will not work I have this to fall back on. This is a great help. Thanks for all your suggestions.
Okay, I ordered a really nice set of easy outs. They cost a little but I hope these will work. I had some old ones but I don't think they will work very well (dulled after 40 years!). Wife has good days and bad days but she is doing better. She must be getting better when she asked me if she could help me remove the NRV! After almost 50 years of marriage it has its effects.... Would you believe!
I bet, after almost 50 years of marriage, your wife can surely persuade the NRV to do something it did not want to do originally.
Sorry, I should have gotten back sooner. I've been sick and my wife had to play caretaker for us both! Can't seem to win... I received the new easy outs and I am now waiting for a set of long extension drill bits. They should be coming pretty soon. I checked into a new NRV through Base Camp and I should be able to get one soon. All I have to do now is get well!
Okay, I now have the easy outs and the extended drill bits. Unfortunately, I checked with Base Camp on the Primus NRV and I'm afraid the price is a bit too high for me. I'll have to look elsewhere. By the way, you guys on the other side of the pond - Remember, remember the 5th of November! Ha, ha! Bonfire night...
Total disaster, drill slipped and went thru the bottom of the pump barrel just to the side of the NRV. I can only hope it did not damage the threads in the end of the pump barrel where the NRV fits in. I'm going to get my son to unsolder the pump barrel (should have listened to you, Wim) and remove it. I can only hope if I have damaged the threads I can at least find an old Primus tank with an intact pump barrel. This makes me sick, I've had that lantern for years and it was one of favorites.....
Sorry to read this. Make sure with un soldering the tube that you don't wickle the tube to much and widden the hole. Also don not let it fall into the tank !
I'll use "more" common sense this time. I have noted they sell new pump barrels for the petromax clones and I was wondering if they would fit the Primus. Does anyone have any ideas on this??
