So here are the results from my first fettle on a Tilley made in 1983. Here's what it was like when I got it: Fairly tidy looking, but in definite need of a clean and a fettle! I'll add some photos of the tear down and clean up, and let us hope it works when I'm finished with it!
So, lets take it all apart. I thought I'd tackle the pump first, as it didn't seem to create any pressure so start with. Looking at this seal, the rest probably aren't in great shape either. Luckily my kit from Ross @ The Fettlebox arrived in the post this morning. That looks better, and a new pump leather fitted too : All cleaned, greased and reassembled:
At this time, I took the vapouriser and the control cock off, to see what plan of action would be required there. As the burner in the hood looked unblocked and wiped fairly clean, I thought I'd leave it alone as the lamp will get used. It does seem that this lamp has been put into storage with everything soaked in White spirit!??! There was some remnants in the tank, on all the pump assembly, and in the internals of the control cock. Maybe the previous owner wasn't sure what to fuel it with? That probably would've been exciting(but almost certainly disastrous) to watch! With these off, both the seal on the vapouriser and the control cock were perished, so these were replaced. The pricker and cleaning wire were all fairly clean so those were left alone. Both the gland nut and the screen on the bottom of the cock seemed next to impossible to remove. I resorted to boiling water which heated them enough to be removed. the gland nut washers were disgusting and it took about half an hour with a safety pin to pry them out. Eventually the b******s came out, and were replaced with new:
This left the tank all by itself, so that cleaned up nicely. I assume the markings underneath mean it was made in April 1983. Please correct me if that is not so.
Now for the reassembly. I cleaned the glass in one water, and happened to find an old mantle in the bottom of the box. Let's hope it works!
All done! I shall attempt to light it later on this evening, and hopefully this wasn't all a wasted effort! Hope this little series of posts haven't bored any of the more experienced fettler's, though I do have some more interesting lamps that I intend on repairing in the next couple of weeks. It's certainly a fun task while one is on "lockdown". Cheers!
@kw1998 Try a cheap set of dental tools such as eBay item no. 350802553272 This will save time, effort and potentially obscene cursing. Looking forward to seeing the money shot but remember you can test it for operation without fitting a mantle. Regards Jeremy
The money shot, as requested: I'll take a better photo when it's dark. Hard to tell how bright it is when it's daylight. It is definitely much quieter than my Vapalux M320 though ....
Jeremy is right, a set of dental picks are worth their weight in gold! Used them for years, especially on the Tilley, Vapalux/Bialaddin, Petromax. Etc. For the most part I collect Coleman because they are readily available here. I "burn out" most of the old seal on Coleman tank cap gaskets then using the dental pick remove the rest. Great tool. Just don't try the "burn out" method on a Tilley! lol
That’s a fettle well done @kw1998 Congratulations on your money shot, she’s a confirmed worker. @X246A Obscene cursing, I find is the best kind of mental persuasion to help those horrid little seals out, but without doubt, dental picks are to go. Cheers Pete
Good set of photos - will help other newbies to the Tilley range. Now you've got one working, you're ready for the next As you say, hard to tell how bright it is when it's daylight, but she's running
@kw1998 "It does seem that this lamp has been put into storage with everything soaked in White spirit!??! There was some remnants in the tank, on all the pump assembly, and in the internals of the control cock. Maybe the previous owner wasn't sure what to fuel it with? That probably would've been exciting(but almost certainly disastrous) to watch!" Most likely it was put away with the tank full and the pump screwed in. Every time it got warm air in the tank expanded and fuel (the white spirit) came out of the vapouriser soaking the rest of it. There's a lesson there to leave the tank open to the air by loosening the pump when not in use.
I find the best way to remove any old rubber seal is to use a cooks torch, you know lke a mini blow torch, or even a cigarette lighter will do and by holding the metal part with a pair of small pliers heat until smoking then a darning needle gets the old washer out. Works every time. just be careful and don't scratch the brass with the needle Also good for removing seized nuts on rusty bolts, like the bolt on Vapalux/Aladdin top hoods. You have to get these red hot and drop some water on to the middle of the bolt avoiding the now red hot nut using a medical syringe and needle, but again it works!
Thanks. I did actually hold it over my gas hob to try and get it out with heat, but it still wouldn’t come out.
A good fettle and a great money shot, always good to see a lamp liv3 again. So, what are you doing next? Btw, as Jeremy mentioned a cheap set of dental picks will transform your temper when removing the o rings.....
@plantpot Have you used your cooks blowtorch on an X246B aluminium control cock before? Regards Jeremy
Cheers chaps! I’ve got an Army Vapalux M320, and a couple of Bialaddin 300X’s from the 40s. Still waiting on a couple of parts to come in the post for them ...
@X246A I don't recall using it on aluminium for certain, I would be a bit cautious and apply heat just to soften the rubber rather than heating the metal, I don't think aluminium would stand it.
