Primus 96 Char cloth.

[pwb]

After reading Tadpole's tutorial on making char cloth I thought I'd gave it a try and took the opportunity to fire up my old Primus 96.

The stove had been in storage for a few years but it was overhauled before storing and I'd replaced the pump cup and cap washer as well. Fired up no problem.

The char cloth on the other hand was a disaster . I'd just grabbed an old duster which judging by the residue left on the tins lid wasn't 100% cotton, it barely took a spark.
Next time I'll use a new tea towel or dishcloth. You live and learn

At least the stove works

Pete.

 

[Jhenry]

That is really a neat old stove. A classic. I have made quite a bit of char cloth and if I may I will offer a pointer or two. It dosen't have to be pure cotton, linen also works but does not catch a spark as readily. A nap on the cloth helps. I use baby flannel from the cloth store. I always have 4 or 5 yards on hand anyway for gun cleaning patches. It is 100% cotton, a nice fuzzy nap, and chars great. I can see your setup, which looks fine. Be sure to plug the hole with a nail or some such when you take it off the fire or oxygen can get drawn in and spoil the works. You can also make char from other substances. Cloth works well but you will find it to be very fragile. Chared punk wood is prime stuff. Takes and holds a spark better, and keeps it far longer. You make it the same way. Various shelf fungus also makes great char. I prefer the punk wood over all else.

 

[pwb]

That is really a neat old stove. A classic. I have made quite a bit of char cloth and if I may I will offer a pointer or two. It dosen't have to be pure cotton, linen also works but does not catch a spark as readily. A nap on the cloth helps. I use baby flannel from the cloth store. I always have 4 or 5 yards on hand anyway for gun cleaning patches. It is 100% cotton, a nice fuzzy nap, and chars great. I can see your setup, which looks fine. Be sure to plug the hole with a nail or some such when you take it off the fire or oxygen can get drawn in and spoil the works. You can also make char from other substances. Cloth works well but you will find it to be very fragile. Chared punk wood is prime stuff. Takes and holds a spark better, and keeps it far longer. You make it the same way. Various shelf fungus also makes great char. I prefer the punk wood over all else.

Thank for the help jhenry.
Bought the stove at a junk shop years ago it's in really good nick, hardly been used I'd say. They don't make them like that any more.
Never thought of using gun patches and I've got a large roll as well .
I was too eager to get started and grabbed the first bit of cloth that looked suitable .

Cheers,Pete.

 

[chris_r]

My latest batch was formerly a Guinness t-shirt. One shirt will keep you going for months and the quality is good too. Can't go wrong.

 

[bikething]

an old pair of well washed jeans works very well

 

[Celt_Ginger]

Denim jeans are great for char cloth, but Linen is even better. It burns longer and hotter than cotton. Car polishing cloths from Halfords also work well. I have found that by completely surrounding the tin in heat (eg. put it in a BBQ and cover the tin with the coals) gives a very even burn with no brown spots.

 

[rik_uk3]

Lovely stove, I have several 96's myself, they were the little Jetboil of their day. If you look on the underside of the stove there may be some letter or letter and number markings, if so you can date your stove.

http://spiritburner.com/fusion/fpage.php?page/stovefaq/#age

If there are no markings it was made after 1963

You can still buy similar stoves new made by Manaslu in Japan from this site

http://www.base-camp.co.uk/Manaslu/Manaslu.htm

Keep them burning

 

[pwb]

I have found that by completely surrounding the tin in heat (eg. put it in a BBQ and cover the tin with the coals) gives a very even burn with no brown spots.

The burn did seem even, looked good just the wrong type of cloth .
I'd like to make some in an open fire some time.

Lovely stove, I have several 96's myself, they were the little Jetboil of their day. If you look on the underside of the stove there may be some letter or letter and number markings, if so you can date your stove.

http://spiritburner.com/fusion/fpage.php?page/stovefaq/#age

If there are no markings it was made after 1963

Keep them burning

Thanks for the links Rik .
Had a look under the stove says AB on top of 35 .The link says AB = 1937, older than I thought.
I've got another 96 not in such good nick it's a W ( 1932 ) and still got my grandfathers old Primus No.5 it's stamped D ( 1914 ) .

Cheers, Pete.

 

[AJB]

Hi PWB,

Apologies for resurrecting an old post! I acquired a Primus 96 today, in a sorry state and a little incomplete, but nice Would you be so good as to tell me what that brass cone is for? And do you have a recommendation for the best places for parts?

Many thanks,

Andy

 

[ged]

Apologies for resurrecting an old post! I acquired a Primus 96 today, in a sorry state and a little incomplete, but nice Would you be so good as to tell me what that brass cone is for? And do you have a recommendation for the best places for parts?

The cone is a windshield. You can get parts from Base Camp. I can't say their service is scintillating, but they're knowledgeable and reliable and they get there in the end.

http://www.base-camp.co.uk/

 

[AJB]

Many thanks Ged

 

[pwb]

Pretty sure Geds right .
It's a windshield for , as far as I can work out, use when priming the generator tube with the meths dish/cup.

Rick would be the one to confirm though.

Cheers,
Pete.

 

[tim_n]

an old pair of well washed jeans works very well

Gah, I just threw away a pair of old well washed jeans when I ripped hell out of them by accident during a DIY project. It was not a pretty sight and any curtain twitchers would have seen the colour of my boxers.

Must cut down on the chocolate...

An informative old post, thanks for the ressurection!