My “collection” so far. 1937 Coleman 242b, March 1974 Tilley 246b and a Sievert 556 blowtorch (trying to find some washers for it, anyone?). I’m really enjoying getting them going again.
What sort of washers ? Blowlamps and stoves share many parts e.g. filler cap seals, pump leathers, rubber pip in the pump NRV, so for starters, try The Fettlebox.
Welcome @Simon A from Queensland Australia. Looks like you’ve caught the dreaded “lampitis”. Resistance is useless so enjoy. Cheers Pete
Thanks all. @David Shouksmith I’ve got all the bits just need the washers to put in between them! @Henry Plews I’ve emailed @the fettlebox and @base camp so I’ll see if they can help. I was hoping that a Tilley pump leather would fit but its slightly small. I’m hoping I’ve manufactured a NRV from an old wine bottle cork. Love the fettling. What’s a good 3rd lantern for the UK? Cheers Simon
Tilley pump leathers are one of the smallest at 16mm and pretty much don't fit any other lamps. I am not so familiar with blow lamp parts but I would think the 17 to 17.5mm leathers for Optimus or Primus would fit better because most of the Swedish lamp pump tubes are about the same diameter. ::Neil::
@Simon A Welcome aboard. You are off to a good start and yes these lantern do start to multiply. All I can say is, Resistance is Futile. Cheers, Norman
Hi Simon , when I cannot find the leather washers etc ... I make my own it is easy , any soft leather is suitable 1 mm thick .. old shoe tongues , belts , old coats dicarded off cuts .. all ideal look at but there many ways to make right sized leather washers.. good luck
Strikes me he could save a hell of a lot of material by simply cutting the leather disc to the correct size in the first place! For smaller pump-leathers, maybe up to FL6 size (I haven't tried much larger), simply fix the oiled leather disc shiny side up onto the pump-rod. Push it into the pump-tube and leave it overnight. In the morning, take the new pump-leather off the pump-rod and replace it the correct way round. Bob's yer mother's brother - one perfectly-sized pump-leather...
Pleased to say the blowtorch now has a nice homemade leather pump cup made the @David Shouksmith way. All working fine. On the look out for a Vapalux or Bialaddin for my next fettle.
