Can someone please tell why cant i screw the nut all the way down to the bakelite handle to tighten it. The handle is lose and im not sure how to tighten It up. The nut screws all the way down to the end of the thread them stops, but theres still a gap between the handle and the nut. Am I missing a part or have I put it together wrong ? Please see attached photos.
These nuts have often been harder and harder tightened in order to keep the handle fixed. As you can see on yours, the top part has been deformed in a way that the threading no longer is sufficient, which is very common on these lamps. I have also seen that the cylindrical handle can be "compressed" over the years, making it slightly shorter. This is sometimes visible, but not always. You just need to shim the parts up in some way. Personally I have just simply used a fairly thick washer under the nut on two of my CQ´s, and then tightened them with moderation, just enough to stop the handles from rotating. I was thinking on making a better looking arrangement some time, but I am not too bothered by the washer under the nut.
Thankyou Carlsson, im just wondering what options i have so i can still have it looking original. I also noticed that the small rounded top cap to the handle is slightly cracked underneath, not sure if this is common on bakelite handles. Any chance i can please see a photo of your lamp handle and the burner frame. Must be few options people might have in fixing this issue.
Some type of spacer will cure that problem, a piece of brass tubing or a nut or some thick washers as Christer mentioned. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a repair or an adaption, that just becomes part of the lamp's history.
@Kiwiboy00 Bakalite tends to crack with age and deform due to tightening the nut. A washer helps. If you don't want to use a washer you could cut the thread longer on the tube. My guess would be that the thread is BSB but you will have to measure it. These might help. 1919-1924 Coleman CQ Coleman CQ lamp _ Advice needed!
I'm not sure this is bakelite. This material is "softer" than bakelite in my opinion. I always assumed it's some sort of fibre material, similar to what they often used in control wheels back then. I see if I can fix a shot or two when I get back home in a couple of days. One of the lamps is posted here where you can see a bit, but there's not so many details showing around this particular issue.
Remove the downward dishing in the centre of the top washer and fit a flat washer on top if that is not enough fit some large washers at base of handle to lift it. The handle material is what I know as paper bakelite and is a paper type material with a resin bonding
@Kiwiboy00 By looking at the pictures, the lipped collar has been dished down into the handle by historically someone over tightening the brass nut down onto the collar. Possible Remedy Remove the downward lipped collar from the top of the handle by sliding it up and off the centre threaded fuel tube. Place the collar, top side down, on a flat surface and with a wooden dowel tap .... that is lightly tap the collar flat again thus eliminating the dish. Now reassemble, it should now be able to be compressed by the brass nut, however, to prevent this happening again, you could install a large flat washer, preferably brass between the brass nut and the now straightened lipped collar. Hope this helps Cheers Pete
Thankyou Pete i will try that and see how i go. Worse case scenario i will make an identical handle out of Oak wood exactly the same shape/style of the old handle but from solid wood. Then i will stain it the same colour as the original handle. Regards Darren
Thankyou Graham for that handy tip, I will try that. Thanks Carlsson that would be great as i want to see what shape the top of the mixing chamber looks like close up and of the burner frame. I have a whole load of parts so i will have to put together the correct parts for this model lamp. As i have no idea visually what the burner frame and top looks like. Kind Regards Darren
Darren, pictures of those parts were posted in the link I gave you above! Or was it some other part you meant? The discussion in that post is probably also worth reading about how the burner casting have differed over the years. Oh, well... I could just as well re-post those pictures here if you don't want to check older posts.
Thankyou for the photos Carlsson, its not that i did not want to look at older posts, my phone is playing up and sometimes not opening pages or photos. Thankyou for those photos, it has been a big help. This forum is amazing and full of great knowledgeable people like yourself. Thankyou everyone Kind Regards Darren
I have the same problem on a Coleman made Arcolite lamp. In addition the nut has split probably because a previous owner tried to tighten beyond the threads. It is still being used, as a replacement may be difficult to obtain. A thick washer between the bell and the handle works in tightening the assembly.
Hi Blueflame looks like who ever owned this lamp before you needs to lay of the steroids hahaha Where there’s a will there’s a way mate, you will get her fixed up. Cheers Darren
