Tilley FL5

I recently acquired a lovely old FL5 from a regular contributor to this forum. Apart from the short stand and the wire glass protector it is now finished. I did not want this lamp to look new so took the decision to leave the rear of the reflector as is (apart from cleaning). However the tank was in dire need of refinishing so I tried to create a "used" effect which I am pleased with. I believe it dates from circa 1937 but perhaps one of you experts will guide me further.

Oh yes, and I got the fuel gauge working too.

I fired it for the first time today and it runs superbly. I will try and post some after dark shots later.

Anyway, what do you reckon?

 

Looks great, look forward to the money shot....

 

A fine old timer!

 

Very nice !
Well done.

 

Wow, it looks really good!

 

The FL5 was late 1934 to late 1936.
The first ones had the single air tube burners, then there were transitional one with two air tubes and the hole in the reflector for the single patched up and then they went to double air tube like yours.
The stands for these are the same as the FL6. Short and tall.
Very nice lamp and very original.

 

Looks great, well fettled! What a great old lamp.

 

Looks great, well done

 

Fine job! I don't have room for anything that big. As you say, "fine piece of kit!"

 

Thanks for the comments and particularly Anthony for the dating information.

As promised here are a couple of after dark shots. Whar a lovely light these lamps produce.

 

It's working well!

 

If you were wondering why the hole in the door hinge, it was so you could take the frame from the FL4 and have a front to back handle.
(Would be able to hang it far easier too)

 

Thanks Anthony. My lamp doesn't have the hole on top of the hinge.

It is such a wonderfully over-engineered lamp. The cast bracket atop the tank is immensely strong!

 

Wow, you have great eyesight! I was looking for the "swelling" atop the hinge rather than the hole in the middle of the main part. The lamp is now reposing in my garage so I didn't have access.

 

One thing I did learn about this lamp is to always use a cloth when pressurising. The pump knob is perfectly designed to nip the flesh of bare fingers!

 

That’s a great lamp and a fine job, @R100.

They kept a small bore pump on the first rendition of the FL6, and your observation about the pump biting one’s fingers is definitely true (ditto the Kayen CL8).


Cheers

Tony

 

The stand for the FL6 will not fit a FL5, it will sit in it but will ground when you swing it....

 

Or do you mean the tall stand Paul ??

To my surprise there are shorter and taller FL6 stands.
older = 13 1/2 inch from pivot to bottom out. Newer is 11 inch.
Thanks James.

 

edit - are shorter and taller .... tall ...FL6 stands.

(poor picture, they're tucked under the dining table)

 

Lovely FL5

Alec.

 

Opps, where did that come from ?
Thanks @paul m .

 

@R100 that is lovely.

 

Thanks for the kind comments. The Tilley FL series fascinates me. No idea why, but their presence cannot be ignored. They were built for serious use and I feel obligated to get them up and running again.

 

Wow love it.

 

Good work.. Not easy to match old and new?

I'm not familiar with these but is the cowl enamelled at all?

 

An excellent example of a fine lamp. Beautifully preserved. Well done!
Chris

 

Thanks for the comment. The cowl is painted rather than enamelled but in this case it was not in too bad a condition so I have left as is. I was surprised that the whole cowl, bezel and glass retainer is made from copper. Imagine that happening nowadays.