I may be over-thinking this..... But was there ever a reflector designed for the X246 Pork Pie Lantern? I tried a KL80 style but the bore was on the small side, ditto the PL53. The Guardian style is bigger as expected and is a loose/rattle-fit and pretty sloppy. Similar experience with the X359, very similar dimensions to the Pork-Pie hood with respect to the area the reflector would sit, but they use the wide-lug for mounting the bail so a guardsman reflector is held in a better location. There's nothing obvious in the adverts or catalogues (but maybe I've missed something). The Instructions posted by Martin HERE also don't list a reflector as an accessory I'm contemplating getting a cheap repro KL reflector and trimming it to suit Pondering, Alec.
Hi Alec, I have it in mind that the 12 in. white enamelled reflector which could be supplied at extra charge as per 1950's advertisements, also fits the early pork-pie X246. Alas, the only pork pie lantern I have at home is a late version with the modern Guardsman frame and hood so I can't check if the example I have is a good fit or not. I have a modern reproduction reflector for X246 but it needs adjusting as the centre hole is too small and the slots for the handle are too narrow. If you fancy making a template, the dimensions of a genuine 1950's reflector: Outside diameter - 12" Inside diameter - 5 9/16" Slot for handle - 5/8" deep x 9/16"
Now then, thanks for that Henry. I set a pair of long-jaw calipers at 5 9/16", that is bang-on the correct diameter to sit on the outer rolled-lip of the hood. I reckon you've nailed it I had another deep dive into the stash and thought I struck lucky, its a brown-enamelled reflector with a 5-1/16" inner diameter, 12" outside diameter and wide slots. Wonder what that's for I'll buy one of the cheap repros I think, they are advertised as anything from 130mm to 140mm inside diameter, 13" nominal outside diameter, that gives some fettle-room. A Petromax 500cp one is 136mm ID so that is also a starting point. Cheers, Alec. PS I'd still like to see photos of one sitting on a Pork-Pie if someone has an example of both
Early Vapalux 300. This one came on a 1943 Vapalux 300 with grey painted steel tank. According to Ian Ashton's book (Vapalux and Bialaddin Pressure Lamps) The brown colour was introduced in mid 1944, I assume your reflector is from that period and would have looked at home on a brown painted 300 with brown enamel heat deflector.
And pump, a bit of artistic license there I think. It looks as if the lower ring isn't seated on the posts and the glass is sitting in mid air above that as well. It would be drawing air in from under the reflector there, in fact the "weir" of air might even have a throttling effect? Interesting image though! Alec. Edit.... Is this a Jim Dick image? I recall seeing a photo in his Tilley book of a Pork Pie with a filler cap mounted on the opposite side to the pump
I dont have a glass from an OL 51 to compare sizes but the shape looks similar?? also the reflector seems to have a lip??
What I posted is from one of my catalogues but Jim probably did use it in his book. @podbros , the OL51 glass is a lot taller. There used to be so many posts saying the early 246s had the deeper glass but this is very shallow.
The drawing on the front page of this Operating Instruction doesn't indicate a deep globe but the cutaway drawing does.
All artistic license (Joking) I tend to fit deep globes on the Pork Pies but its invariably a fight to get the preheater torch into position, I've often wondered if it was the correct depth Alec.
I have a couple of these in poor condition that fit the later Guardsman , (Bail that holds the hood on) Has anyone any insight as to how hot they get, mine are rusted, will VHT paint last ?
It might be ok for a few firings, but nothing beats the enamel for longevity, i’m afraid :/ you can pick up the black hoods for reasonable prices still?? and on occasion the brown ones @MYN did try making a type of paint/coating which looked promising
@podbros I was meaning the shade / reflector , not the Hood , or are talking about enamelling the hood ?? Having spent a bit of time on them tonight , they were defiantly painted from new not enamelled Gold on the upper and white on the lower side Cleaning up well, but I’m still tempered to re paint
I think I used radiater paint on a KL80 reflector, it works fine. You may wish to adjust the handle mounts on your lantern, the reflector should be a snug fit as in this image.
I’ve painted quite a few Tilley and Kayen reflectors for use. They do not need high temperature paint at all. But make sure you’ve killed all the rust before painting. Cheers Tony
