These 1 litre Optimus brazing lamps are fantastic, the paraffin ones are great as well as the petrol ones , here is an unfired 5235 I have , it’s military surplus and unfortunately it has had low grade ( probably general military Issue) kerosene sat in the tank for ages judging by all the chalky deposits it has left
@The_Yellow_Ardvark I don’t suppose you know where to get these ‘baffle plates’ from? I have been looking for years but there must be some left somewhere, any intel would be appreciated, thanks Tom
@Thomas1 @podbros Howdy Tom, I agree with PB that fabricating one may be the easiest. The part is common to the Barthel Patent series of super-brazing torches which includes those made by Thermidor, Monitor, SH&S amongst others as well as some of the other larger models of brazing lamps. I fabricated the front casting for a monitor 52 out of thick common steel. The baffle plate you are showing is common to that model as well. The attached image shows both sides. If you need dimensions PM me. I somehow just don't think you will find the part easily but who knows another reader may have a spare in their cupboard.
As a beginner I am having trouble getting my blowlamps to work I have changed the parts of the pump but still get fuel out of the pump when pressurised and another on I have fires he’s of burning fuel like a flamethrower what am I doing wrong and are there any step by guide.
Hi Robin some photos of the ‘lamp in question will help us further with the model whether paraffin or petrol? Whether there is a non return valve to be changed in the pump tube etc? cheers pb
Your pump valve (or NRV --> non-return valve), is not working properly. It is not sealing under pressure and is allowing fuel back up the pump tube. It needs to be serviced, or adjusted (ie, clean the pip or renew the pip; make sure there is no grit; make sure the NRV is fitted properly in the pump tube. As I don't know what lamp you have I'm assuming it has an NRV. You are not preheating the lamp enough. With a blow lamp ensure that you preheat it properly, and begin by carefully building the pressure. This site doesn't venture far into the blow lamp arena. You might be better off looking at a UK blow lamp collectors' site. None-the-less, a pressure stove works on the same principles as a blow lamp. There is plenty of information here about operating kerosene and gasoline stoves. If you were a Subscriber you would also have access to the Reference Gallery where there are manuals. Lastly, knowing what blowlamps you're having trouble with will help a lot. Cheers Tony
@Robin coleman Hi Robin there is this website but not sure if it is still active? perhaps there is some help there? www.blowlampsociety.com
one of these ? if you can undo the whole pump the non return valve is then accessible.. they are usually quite tight though ? the pip might be the same as some of the camping stove types ? other members might know more @presscall @Sedgman
@Robin coleman The English blowlamp site you have been referred to by @podbros and @Tony Press is quite useful. The advice by @podbros and @Tony Press in respect of servicing the NRV is critical. You must fully remove the pump and the pump tube from the blowlamp to service it properly. Luckily kero blowlamps have no wick so that makes it easier. Tony has emphasized the importance of the preheating and you need to do this properly before attempting to pressurise it. If you see it acting as a flamethrower release the pressure quickly as that is dangerous and it is obviously not preheated adequately. Also when attempting to light one assume it will become a flamethrower and don't have the unit indoors or pointing at anyone or something like your good car panels. The British made model 26 is an inclined blowtorch which comes in 3 versions: one has a steel tank, the other two have a brass tank, one with holes in the handle and the other with slots in the handle. The capacity is one pint. My records show the pip in the Monitor 26 blowlamp is the same size as those used in Veritas, Austramax and Companion; namely 3.7 mm or 0.145” and generally a height of about 3 mm. That height may be slightly higher than original but it often works better since the springs are often not as effective. Lighting instructions for any 1 pt kerosene blowlamp should suffice as they are all very similar.
