I received and unexpected gift today. A blowtorch, which I know relatively nothing about IT has old gasoline in the tank. The pump works and tank holds pressure. Some gasoline squirted out of the nozzle. Can anyone tell me a little more about this blowtorch, and I am curious as to the metal bracket on the burner tube/guard. ‘kind regards Les
This is a kerosene blow torch so I am surprised if someone has been using petrol in it. Very dangerous. The Primus 633 was around for a very long time. At least from the 1930s to the 1970s. It is a fairly common blow torch from Primus but the 632 with a smaller tank is the most common. Primus in general doesn't turn up that often in Australia though. This is one of the later versions, probably from the era after Optimus bought out Primus' kerosene products. If it is still from the Primus era it will have a date marking somewhere on the tank. Either a circle with letters and maybe a number or a six digit number stamped into the fille spout collar or the pump fitting collar. No date will mean it is most likely after 1962. It's probably not from the 1970s as I believe they had gone over to a sticker on the tank instead of the stamping by then. The bracket on top of the burner is to hold a soldering iron like the plumbers used way back when. The bulge in the shroud under the burner is the pre-heat cup. Otherwise it works just like most other pressure appliances. Pre-heat thoroughly and then start pumping.
Thank you Nils. So far I have flushed the tank and it was very clean. I put in 200ml of kerosene and preheated with two doses of methylated spirits. It ran for about 60 seconds and then stopped flaming, although it was still pushing kerosene vapour from the nozzle. I will clean it up and soak the fittings in penetrating oil. I suspect a pressure leak but since it has no shutoff valve I wonder how to test tank pressure/pump seal etc.when I pump it up it starts shooting fuel from the jet/nozzle. It is a nice thing, and a very generous gift. I will gift a Tilley lamp in return, I think. I did hear the juddering blowtorch sound. So, it is trying to work properly. Not really sure how to fettle these torches, but I am looking at how others have done it. I will clean the jet, at least, and give it another run.
Basically make sure all the seals are good. On this it is just the filler cap and the NRV. If I remember correctly, the pump tube to tank seal is just metal to metal. To check for leaks, empty the tank, pump in pressure than submerge in a bucket of water. The only place there should be bubbles is from the jet. I'm pretty sure that the jet uses the same size cleaning needle as for most kero stoves, i.e. 0.3 mm.
The tank holds around 830 ml, and common advice is to fill tanks to around 3/4 full; so say about 600 ml otherwise a lot of air in there.
Update. Empty leak test showed no leaks , and good flow at the nozzle/jet refilled with 600ml kerosene and two full burns on meths to heat up the generator coils. Success…it lit, started ‘chugging’ strongly after twenty pumps, and I gave it 40 pumps total. It’s been running for about 30 mins. I will let it run for a full hour, cool down and try again later tonight. thank you all for tips and advice. The torch is running, but no visible flame. You can see the dog is excited by the entire event too
