OK... This is another of those 'look what I got cheap today' posts that makes us all jealous. Sorry, but the only reaction I got from the wife when I got home was rolling eyes so I need to boast to someone! At my local Tuesday market there is a guy who runs a collectables stall. I've bought a couple of lamps and stoves off him over the last four or five months. His prices are very reasonable so I never haggle, just pay his asking price. I always stop for a look and a natter, and sometimes a mug of tea. Today when I walked up to his stall he said that he had something I might be interested in. He disappeared into his van and came out with a Bialaddin 300x and a very tidy Vapalux 320. Both were complete and had their original glass and pre-heaters. The hood on the Vapalux was unmarked and even had a complete mantle! He said I could have the pair for £20.00 plus a mug of tea! I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough.
Hi Trojandog well done a brilliant bargain,you would pay £20 or more for just the 300x in that condition on ebay and getting a 320 in very good condition as well,i see a good few lanterns last summer going for under £10 in the auto jumbles at a few steam fairs i visitied but sadly i never bothered buying any as i had a tilley and a bialladin but was not to concerned at the time in building a collection as my main collection was stoves
Gave the Vapalux a wipe over tonight and it fired up first time. Didn't even need to oil the pump leather. Pulsed for 20-30 seconds and then ran fine. The 300x will need a bit more time! One thing I did notice is that the filler cap is alloy not brass. The pressure release screw is however, brass. Not seen an alloy cap on a Bialaddin before.
I have come across the alloy caps on the Bialaddin before and I do not like them. When you come to fettle it get in touch with me as I may have a brass one to replace it with, if you wish. Steve.
Thanks Steve, I think I've got one somewhere that was on a cracked tank, just got to dig it out. I don't like alloy caps either, didn't realise that Bialaddin ever used them.
No, I didn't know that either. None of my lamps have them fitted, although looking at the image, the silver colour peeking through the burgundy looks somehow familiar... I presume the use of alloy was due to post-war austerity and the glut of aluminium available due to it no longer being needed for aircraft production. What does the team think..?
