On Mon, 12 May 2008 15:44:13 GMT, Jim wrote:

I used paraffin on the wick. Worked OK, but probably so would have
meths.

Meths will burn cleaner, rather that sooty, though it seems the procedure
is have fuel in the tank, valve closed, pump it a little, open valve to
let fuel down and onto the wick, close valve, light the wick and wait
(pumping up in the mean time) until the fuel in the coil really starts to
vaporise and roar, the open the valve and away you go.

Paid a totally outrageous 7.99 for 5ltr paraffin at our local rip-off
garden centre.

Ouch, road diesel would have been 40p/l cheaper!

Problem no.2: In use.

Any nuts to nip up? There might be an O ring in there that has dried and
shrunk but will now be well oiled.

Problem no.3: In use.
Not really a nice, small pointed flame.

You'll not get a small flame from it. B-) Think of something a foot long
and the diameter of the nose... pointy, stable and basicly blue with some
small yellow flashes should be attainable. It is a bit of balancing act
between valve opening and pressure. Best to try and only adjust one of
pressure or valve at a time. But the pressure will drop as fuel is used so
pick a valve open position that you can repeat and the adjust pressure to
make it run nicely.

Flaring (large or big yellow flame plumes) is indicative of too much fuel
and if difficult to bring under control by adjusting the valve and/or
pressure may indicate a worn jet.

--
Cheers
Dave.