Hi All, This is my wife’s old Tilley lantern that was given to her 20 odd years ago and, I have to confess, is responsible for my pressure lantern and stove interest. I think the generator has a damaged top and the prick is broken off. Is it possible to buy a new generator for this lantern? I believe it to be an EX4.
Welcome to another from Aus Nearly right its EX4 1933-1940 [DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE CONTROL COCK] (its a fixture to tank), the correct vaporiser is 169 (7"long ) a 606 (5" long) will work but the burner will sit lower to the tank, the shade if you have (or get one) one will look strange sitting above the burner hood (the refllector rests on the outward bends of the handle) The pricker wire can be replaced if you can find one, or maybe someone has a spare
This is an EX100 not EX4. EX4 has the pressure release built into the control which is not a valve but just a pricker operator. EX100 has the pressure release on the fount shoulder and does have a valve/pricker control. ::Neil::
We’re these founts originally painted in a bronze-like colour? The top is polishing up well although the vertical base is taking a rub with 0000 and autosol to break through to the brass. Should this then be repainted or polished do you think?????
Would anyone in Australia have a used reflector for sale? I’d rather the patina to be uniform across the whole lantern and don’t want to buy a new one.
@Mackburner Is Jim Dick’s description of the EX100 incorrect (p40 of his Tilley book)? Dick says, also, of the EX4 that “In 1936 the design of the control cock was changed to one where the cleaning wire was operated by a rotating button, and the air release screw became a separate fitting on the tank”. (P40, “Tilley the Versatile Vapour Lamp”. The "PLC" also says: "EX4: As EX4 above but with soldered in XN cock with tip cleaner operator only. Pressure release screw in fount. 1936 - 1939". Cheers Tony
@Mustlust While we are still sorting out the model number for your lantern, what I do know is that early advertisements for the the EX4 said they were “stout polished brass”. Later EX100 (like mine in the Reference Gallery came with grey-painted tanks. Cheers Tony
@Mustlust If polished brass, then, yes, lacquered. If that’s the path you go down, use automobile clear coat, and bake tank at 90C. Tony
I'd step back, pour yourself a drink and have a think about where you are going with this lamp. Don't get me wrong, I don't care which way you go, restore and polish or leave patina as is. You have contradicted yourself though, as elsewhere, you are talking of polishing the fount. I know it is easy to change plans mid stream but you probably want to do it uniformly. If you are going to polish the fount rather than buying a crappy reflector, perhaps you should be looking for one that will enhance the look of the lamp - as polishing the fount will. Of course you can buy a crook reflector and repaint it. That is not what your post suggested you wanted to do.
When I polish I don’t take it back to ‘as new’ condition. I aim for a used look with patina but tidy at the same time. I have several quite old land rovers and get them working really well, but never hide the story of their journey, pardon the pun. This is my approach to the lanterns and stoves, and tools, and furniture, etc.,that I fettle and use.
Ah, ok, I see. So your are merely taking the grime off. I thought you were caught between two objectives when you mentioned polishing then leaving patina. I'll get your vapouriser, pricker wire and hopefully some seals in the post by Monday or Tuesday. I might even have a better hood I can send you. Don't worry, it will have some tales of its own to tell.
You mean am I wrong? Well yes I was and Jim is quite correct as is the PLC. Maybe I should read my own book now and then. Happens when I answer using memory only in the wee small hours. There are two versions of EX4. Early types have the pressure release in the control and later ones have a seperate release. EX 100 does not have a pressure release at all. So this lantern is an second type EX4. ::Neil::
The original finish on mine my EX4 is metal flake gold (It is worn of in places) same as many Tilley's up to 246 Pork Pies
@Mustlust Yes. The Tilley 182 globe is available from time to time on the Bay of Evil; and The Base Camp (UK) has them. Cheers Tony
When an old vaporiser tip has had a minor run in with a hammer, resulting in closed prick vent/hole..... how would a heavy handed dope remedy his earlier mishap?
@Mustlust If you have a spare pricker, carefully push it up to the place where the jet should be and tap it through. That just might work. But be gentle. Cheers Tony
@Mustlust I must be going mad. Why did I (above) link you to the Coleman 237, when you asked about a Tilley 169 vapouriser? There must have been a fat finger involved somewhere. Here’s the link I meant (this is an EX100, but it’s the same vapouriser: EX100 Cheers Tony
I did wonder....... I bought that unloved Kayen, and along with my EX4 am looking for a pair of reflectors. Do you know anyone with some for sale? Prefer originals. The replacements don’t seem to have the attached arms. ..... also acquired a primus 96. I think this bug has big teeth!
@Mustlust The infection (referred to by some as ‘the pox’) is virulent, and irreversible in most cases. I’ll keep my eyes open for a reflector for you, but they are not that common, and usually attached to a lantern. Cheers Tony
Ha, that derogatory moniker must be attributed to poor suffers by discontent and impoverished spouses.
