The lamp in the pictures recently came into my possession and after reading help and advice on this site I decided to see if I could get it running. As the second picture shows this was quite successful so I would like to say thanks for inspiring me to complete this
Well done. You will remember this first fettle for the rest of your life, no matter how many lamps you end up with.
Thanks guys. I have to admit to a great deal of satisfaction at the first one going as well as it did but tbh the lanterns quality makes it easier. Am I right in saying that it dates to early 50s, there are no stamps on the fount @BigStevie - funny you should ask
Your Guardsman looks very nice - and works well to boot. Your next lantern looks like a Vapalux 320/M320 so a bit more modern but still last century Good one to play with as you will appreciate the similarities and differences. Vapalux also Bialaddin | Classic Pressure Lamps & Heaters
Your early 1950's Tilley Guardsman lantern is working well! It has the original deep glass and those are becoming hard to find.
@stuartc Welcome from Queensland Australia. Excellent first lantern to fettle and now an M320. Of course, you know that these will breed and multiply. Happy fettling and go with the force .... Cheers Pete
Thanks Jeff and AussiePete you are spot on I’m already looking for more projects. There is something very satisfying about giving these things a new lease of life
Two very good first lamps, the Tilley Guardsman is a very under valued lamp, solid and reliable, the last of the well made Tilley lanterns. The M320 is a little more modern, a bit easier to light with the spirit cup and prop and generally worth a tad more than the Guardsman .. have you bought this one yet? Martin
Cracking Lamp! I'm 2 years in the hobby and learning a lot still, as I have a few different types of lamps. I build PCs and that's a huge buzz when you first press the button and they fire up......Well it's the same when You fettle a lamp and they fire up.
@stuartc I have 18 lamps, not as many as some by a long way, but not bad in just under 2 years. My first one was a brand new Coleman, which is still in the box and never used. My first vintage one, a Bialaddin M320 is a cracking lamp, but my favourites are Vapalux M1's. I have 3 of these, 2 in pristine condition.
If this is going to be that addictive then maybe I've just found a purpose for our spare room. So far I think new or pristine lamps have a certain appeal but at the moment I must admit to leaning towards older lamps which need a bit of TLC and I think have a bit of character about them
I have 2 New ones, the Unused Coleman, and a Petromax which was an offer I could not refuse (long story). I much prefer working on, and using the vintage ones though. I think lamps, however nice they are should be used, instead of gathering dust in a shed. Seems all the problems come with disuse. You can still keep em in good nick through use if You look after them.
Johnny19, what you said earlier got me thinking about lampie traits and common interests. PC building, VW campervan scene, motorbikes, photography & dogs. I wonder how many of those are familiar? Martin
@paparazi Haha......Close! PC Building, Camping (Large Tent with all the Gear), Photography, and Train Simulator (don't tell anyone about that ).
Stuartc, you will find the vapalux m320 of an excellent build quality and a nice easy fettle. I'm waiting for my daughter to get married and leave home so I can turn her room into a lamp room as my workshop is getting a bit cluttered with lamps. Regards Ian.
I have the advantage there Ian - I've already got shot of the offspring and have the empty room. Now I just need to start filling it with lamps
Good luck on your searches stuart, your collection will soon grow, I've got over 90 lamps but that is small compared to some of the members on this forum. Ian
