Got a Tilley X246 Guardsman from ebay. What a contrast to X246B! Solid brass tank with a pressure indicator, all-brass pump and valve. I used parts from my nonfunctional X246B to get it going. The lantern arrived in very poor condition: the hood was crumbling, the vaporizer was just a piece of rust, and the globe shattered during shipping. I took those parts from X246B, did some cleaning and replaced the seals. The lamp exploded into light right after preheat and was just blinding! It looks like ultrasonic cleaning of the vaporizer and burner really helped. But there are still some problems: - the shaft of the control cock is a little bit bent. How do I fix it without destroying the tap? - It would be nice to get the pressure indicator working again. What do I use to release it? Some kind of penetrating oil? - Cosmetic condition: what can I use to polish the tank and cage? Thank you!
Hi Radiomanul . You're right thr Guardsman is a great lamp and far superior quality to the X246A and B. But it's like most things they find cheaper ways of making things. Hence the old saying They don't make em like that any more. I see yours has the wingnut type pump. These are not that common but are a better design both in looks and ease of use. Nice to see it shining so brightly too. Good pictures Thanks for posting them
Nice find and good to see you now realise why the B version is best used as a door stop. The pressure indicator is operated by a spring loaded diaphragm. You can check it is free by pushing down on the inner with a small screwdriver. If it moves and you can feel the spring then it is obviously free. If it fails to work then it is broken. They are not serviceable unless you remove the base plate to access the fitting. ::Neil::
Hi there! Thats a loveley bright lamp!! Ive got one exactly the same as yours These are very good quality and beats the B right into the ground! Nice find! Adam
To straighten the control cock's spindle, first of all unscrew the knob, it unscrews anti-clockwise. You may have to use pliers to unscrew it, cover the knob with a cloth and use the pliers gently. The spindle can be straightened with pliers, but don't force it. It may be prudent to renew the seals on the control cock's gland nut, that nut also unscrews anti-clockwise, Jeff.
Ah Jeff is right and they will straighten but they are brass and can break when bent for a second time. If you can remove the gland nut then get the spindle red hot where it is bent and quench in cold water before re bending. Tricky this because the valve block is very close and you must not get that too hot or you will run the solder seal. Takes care and precision to just heat the spindle but annealing it like that will ensure a re bend without breakage. ::Neil::
Hi Neil can you point me to 'the pressure indicator' just so I know for future reference and I now have 2 Guardsmen and will look for it.
