g'day all, from Victoria Australia been a lurker from time to time and thought it's about time I enlist I own a few Tilleys, an M1 Vapalux that I bought new 20 years back, an Austramax and several wick lamps from Dietz, Chalwyn, Alladin and Feurhand. plus a Coleman single burner stove, an Optimus stove, a brass kero stove from India and a POD kero heater except for an old 1950's Tilley, all the lamps, stoves and heaters were purchased brand new over the years and all have given me great service. I notice that there was an event near Staffordshire reef recently. I had no idea that there were other Aussie kero lamp enthusiasts, hence why I have signed up. about me. just retired from full time work early this year as a mechanical engineer after many years working for a mining company. I spend a lot of my time gold prospecting out in the bush. matter of fact I should be out now, but a sudden covid lock down has scuppered my plans.fellow prospectors look on with bemusement when I light up a Tilley and cook on the Coleman or Optimus stove, haha. but camping out for a few nights in the bush I get to use my lamps. theres something that I like listening to the hiss of a pressure lamp on a barmy night in the back of nowhere. this afternoon I polished up the brass Vapalux and lit it to test, but for some reason its not holding pressure so an overhaul is in order, I guess regards, Bonza
@bonza Welcome! I was at the Staffordshire Reef gathering. It was a great weekend. There are a bunch of us across Australia and we are pleased to welcome a new one. Keep in touch. Tony
Hi Bonza A purist eh? Meaning, you bought lamps and stoves to actually use and not just to collect. Good for you! My collection of stoves and lamps has grown over the years beyond merely outdoor/camp cooking and lighting requirements but to satisfy a need to tinker with things mechanical. One more mechanism to explore/service/fix has been the driver. Enders 9061D stove for example. John
@bonza Hi and welcome along from the Scottish Highlands. I’m with you on the hiss of a pressure lamp, something reassuringly comforting about the sound...
Welcome @bonza nice to have you on board ! - get that Vapalux going - having one on the shelf that you know does not work will pick away at your mechanically minded soul
will be my project for the day, especially seeing we are back in lockdown here in Victoria. its had a lot of use but looks remarkably good once polished up. when I first bought it the valve cock leaked at the silver soldered joint. I contacted Willis-Bates in England and not only did they send be a new valve, but a service kit and a spare hood plus some glossy instructions. all for nix, which was very good of them. it was sad to here a few months later that they sold off the pressure lamp side of the business. unknowingly, I must have procured one of their last lanterns
Welcome from Toowoomba Queensland. Looking forward to reading and enjoying your future posts. Cheers Pete
Hello and another welcome from the Scottish Highlands! Hope to hear all about your various lamp adventures soon and maybe the odd stove story now and then.
