Model 44 KampKook complete!

[doug hodder]

I picked up this stove at a Coleman camp out last summer, traded some cash + a 70's cooler and jug for it. I really wanted to do up a different color on it, but told the previous owner, I'd do it original. Someone at some time decided to melt a load of candle wax on it. That's what's splattered on the lid and wings. It was a bear to get that all cleaned out of the box on it. Haven't fired it yet...still a bit green on the paint, but I don't expect any issues...it blows air like it ought to. I now have a Mother/Daughter combo.... Doug


Before:





After:




Mother and daughter combo:

[Loader]

Looks fantastic Doug! The pair is really nice. VHT paint on the grates or did you get them redone?

Nice Job

[doug hodder]

I use Rustoleum VHT silver...it's more of a light gray. There has been some discussion on the Coleman board about how to treat grates. Some have "seasoned" them like you would a cast iron pan. I'm not a fan of that, since as soon as you run the stove it'll cook off the seasoning on the grate and be a rust magnet. I think if they had VHT paints back when these were made...they would have sprayed them with it. It's a clean sanitary look and that's what I like. Not that tough to remove if needed. Besides...on a nice cast iron grate...you wanna show that off! Doug

[Woodbutcher]

Great job Doug, That is a fine pair of stoves you have there. A couple of pieces of history saved!

[Lazybones]

Great job Doug! Love the reflection in the paint.

[DragonFire]

Beautiful!!!

How rare are those? Or how rare are they in working condition? Did you have to do much repair to them to get them working again?

That paint is perfect. Makes me want to get a whole paint setup for stuff I find...not just camping equipment.

[bdosborn]

Doug,

I just love those before and after pictures. Reminds me of the American Restoration show. Nice work!

Bruce

[Mark72]

What Can I say Doug? You are a White Gas Machine! I am in the process of building a new generator for my Model 44.

Mark

[doug hodder]

The thing on a stove like this is to make sure you get a complete stove. If you are missing parts, it can be a search and the satisfaction of getting it restored will have to be put off till you get them. You can however build a Frankenstove out of just about any stove though. Like they say on the American Pickers show...the time to buy an antique is when you see it.

For me, the fun is in doing the best job of resto I can. Some people may say I've ruined it and the patina is gone...tough, it's my stove, I'm gonna keep it and they are only 35$ items, it's not like I chopped a Duesenberg. A restored model 1 Coleman did however go for 1400$ a couple of years ago. My model 1 however is going to take a lot of work.

Dragonfire...no real difference between a stove and a lantern, tend to the pump, gennie, check the packings, clean the burners/ tank etc...just a lot more straightening and body work since it's a lot more sq. footage of stuff to tend to. It's all the same thing...just a whole lot more of it. Doug

[Mark72]

Unfortunately my 44 is a ebay bite. the previous owner thought they could get it working by drilling the end of the generator out with a 3/16 bit when all they really needed to do was clean the tiny fuel pick up tube.
Of coarse they sold it as untested and as is.

Mark

[campmaster-k]

Great Job Doug.

I agree, you told me once when I was having a hard time doing a color on one, Doug said " Paint it the color you want after all they are not Faberge eggs."

Keep up the good work.

[doug hodder]

Mark...I completely understand...I think I got some serious issues with my Model 1 Ebay item. Gennie feels like it's stripped out, but I haven't torn into it yet. Hate to say it, but it might just be a static display item. Doug

[Mark72]

Don't give up too easy! I am on the trail of getting the taps and dies for generator repair.

Mark