Was in an antique store today and saw this. Anyone know what it is? It looks like a kerosene or gasoline radiant heater? There is a pump behind it. Or perhaps this is some kind of old gas lantern?
It was cool looking, but very rough. The cage badly bent and barely stayed on. The reflector at the top is bent. And the filler cap/pump was stuck. Couldn’t turn at all. Is this restorable? Or not worth it?
The burner is sitting on the vapouriser incorrectly. Edit: Unless the tank is badly damaged, it’s quite straightforward to get working again, but parts in the US may be more difficult. Tony @Chad Campbell
FYI - not asking for valuation. Just if it’s more trouble than someone should put into it. How handy? Am ok, but want to learn more.
@Chad Campbell The stuck parts should free up with gentle persuasion, and the bent reflector and cage should also be returned to working order. These radiant heaters are no more complicated that a Tilley lamp. Cheers Tony Edit: You’ve got a mantle with it, and that’s a bonus. But missing the ceramic cover for the spigot.
Those heaters are very useful and they are simple to restore and they use paraffin/kerosene, the links show relevant information. Tilley R55 complete https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1950s-tilley-r55.1785/
Thanks for the replies. I may try to negotiate a lower price for this one. It’s cool. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube about it. Very interesting.
I thought trying to haggle a lower price was standard practice at antique dealers - in my book, the ticket price is merely the starting point for negotiation! I generally ask them if it's complete (it isn't) and working (it can't be) so there are two reasons to negotiate a substantial discount. Also, when they don't know much about an item (they won't), antique dealers tend to price by size - the bigger something is, the more they tend to ask. What's their asking price? I wouldn't want to be paying much more than, say, £30-40 for that so $50 perhaps... Anyway, it's a standard R55 long-burning radiator (not either of the pig-heaters, which were configured to direct the heat downwards and therefore pretty useless for human beings - unless your sole intention was to burn a large hole in your carpet!). Kerosene fuelled and as has been said, pretty much the same to fettle as any other Tilley lamp, lantern or heater. The tanks were usually a rather fetching shade of royal blue. The good points on that one is that it has the correct safety guard and wire mesh mantle. A slight minor point is that as well as the missing ceramic insulation tube, the mantle retaining nut has been lost, which is why the mantle has fallen off the burner. Finding a new one of those shouldn't be too difficult from the UK and postage will be cheap - it's a small part. Both are in the SP4 service kit but someone here is quite likely to have the missing parts in their spares box. BTW, you'll find it's not cool at all, much the reverse, in fact! Best of luck with it...
I have seen far worse condition Tilley heaters come back to life. And these are not all that common - but not rare either - but probably harder to find your side of the pond.
The meths/alcohol torch is clipped onto the burner tube and the tank is a later example so it will have a date code stamped on the base plate.
I went back and bought this heater. Able to get it for $25. I appreciate all of the support and information on this heater. I’m sure I’ll have a ton of question once I start working on it.
Thanks Anthony and David- I stand corrected on the pig heater! 25 notes sounds like a good price. Ebay seller hootflopflipandfly has NOS SP4 kits for sale.
@Chad Campbell Have fun. VINTAGE NOS TILLEY SP4 SERVICE KIT BURNER 1222 R1 RIA R55 IF54 RADIATOR HEATER | eBay
That looks a bargain !! .. nearly all the bits are there ... Steel tank on these so check for corrosion and make sure to clean the tank thoroughly before any thoughts of fuelling up... careful with the fuel gauge float , if it's still there? Er.. I'm sure someone will be able to point you towards better information on this via a link ?? Well done (again!)
@podbros Thanks for the reply! Funny thing is, I was wanting a propane heater for a porch and nearly bought a modern one. Winter is almost over where I am so I decided to wait. If this thing can work, then it will be exactly what I was wanting. Since I am trying to learn some new skills, I try not to get in deep on price. While many of you may feel good about your abilities and skills, mien are still new. And good chance I mess up. Ha!
Found another one of these today. But needs a grille. Anyone have an extra? Or know where to get one? @ROBBO55 Working on getting those parts from eBay.
