I have been fettling this Guardsman for the past week or more, it's been in my garage for nearly 20 yrs. in bit's. Firstly I got rid of the pi$$ poor paint job that was on it from the factory and gave it a bit of a buffing up, new seals and a new mantle. I put a drop of Paraffin in the tank and swished it about to loosen any bit's of muck, reassembled it and had a go at lighting it, but it was just flames and smoke, but it had a go at lighting so I thought must be a blockage some were So I took the vaporiser off to see where the trouble lay also poked some wire down the tank feeder pipe to make sure that was clear. Well I took the hood off and gave it a couple of pumps and turned the control cock on with the vaporiser exposed and I could see it was struggling to let fuel through so I cleaned out the vaporiser and had another go at lighting it, this time success it's brilliant I need sunglasses to look at it, dead chuffed with it. First time in well over 20 yrs since it's been lit.
Cheers guy's but the euphoria didn't last, just discovered there is a leak in the bottom of the Fount. I noticed a wet patch underneath when I moved it I thought "Bugger" well I turned it off and emptied it took the cowl and cage off got it in a bucket of water and pumped it a few times but could see nothing, I ended up pumping about 150 times before I could see a little cluster of about 4 tiny tiny bubbles. Now I am wondering what is the best way to deal with it.
I've had some success soldering stress cracks. So soldering might be a good option if you are comfortable with that. I used a cheap butane torch for burning weeds.
There are about 3 extremely tiny pin holes near the centre of the bottom the fount just below the "Made in England" stamp
It's a crackin lamp, burns very bright and looks really good, I will just have to get it sorted.. I noticed the pressure relief valve was working as well.
@Pitsmoor Col thats unlucky is especially with all the work you have done to the lamp. It may be possible to solder a repair, some brass tanks suffers from fractures, you’ll see a very faint line in the brass, they then start to weep.
Those pinhole leaks have been caused by a small bubble of water in the fuel. Water is denser than paraffin so sinks to the bottom. I reckon you 'll be able to solder those holes without too much bother although you'll need to be careful not to over-heat the base plate or you'll de-solder the base seam...
It's cleaned up nicely @Pitsmoor Col . As has been said those holes should seal up using lead solder.
Just had a go at a repair. Solder did the trick...It's looking good at the moment, but I don't want to celebrate too early. Well anyway another money shot.. She lives again..Back to being chuffed..(for now) Fingers and everything else crossed..
Top Job! I think you can well and truly un-cross those fingers (an ev'rythin else!) and open a celebratory beverage! Well done!
Congratulations @Pitsmoor Col Well fettled, your persistence has paid off, and you’ve gained valuable experience. Love the money shot. Cheers Pete
