Hello, I have a tilley lamp and with lots of tips from this forum, have managed to fit almost all of the parts of service kit 1 so thanks for the advice everyone. The bit I can't work out is,how to get the washer valve and spring into the bottom of the pump. I poked the old one out with a bradawl and pulled the spring out with pliers but now can't get the new ones in. Anyone know how to do it please? I read on another post that the hexagon end with 2 holes in comes off but am not sure if mine should or not as I can't shift it so far.
That hex nut unscrews. They can get tight and you need to be careful you don't crush the tube. However if you grip it close to the end where there is a brass insert you should be able to get enough of a grip to unscrew the cap nut. Might be good to use a little penetrating oil and another trick is to shove the end in boiling water which will loosen any fuel residues that might be welding the threads together. ::Neil::
Well I got the Hex end off but its got a bit attatched to it and I can't work out where the washer and spring go? They're too big to go down the hole in the middle. Anyone know what do do next or have I broken it?
Hi Like most of the newer Tilley type pumps the two metals of the pump ( alumimium & brass ) have corroded together & you have pulled out the whole pump end which is not unusual at all , just frustrating , I have found that when they're this bad they are nearly impossible to seperate with out doing any damage & you would be better finding a new one What you will need is a new old style brass top pump to replace this one ( from a Guardsman lamp & they are readily available on ebay ) or perhaps someone here may have a spare , if you have no joy PT me & i'll have a look in my spares box to see if i have one Stu
Thanks Stu, I've just come back from our local antiques centre for where I managed to buy another tilley lamp for just £12 with a good plunger. I got the hex end off no problem and fitted new washer and spring but it still wont work, doesn't build up pressure which is why I was fitting the service washers etc in the first place. Anyway I am now the owner of 2 lamps, a red one and a gold one so looks like i've unexpectedly got a new hobby-tinkering with tilley lamps I will look out for one of those pumps that you mentioned as they do sound better.
Jane, I am sure that there are CPL members in your immediate area. It might be easier to ask for practical help from nearby members (just ask on the site). You never know a nearby "knight on white charger" may be able to assist you. I did this recently for a young chap on the Classic Camp Stove site. Thirty minutes of practical instruction saved many hours of internet time. Anyway, living in Halifax you should be more interested in Bialaddin and Vapalux lamps; they were made there by Willis & Bates! Welcome to the site and good luck with the "fettling" - Steve.
Thanks Steve, I'll look out for those Bialaddin and Vapalux lamps, didn't realise they were from round here. I'll check out some photos of them so I know them when I see one. As for the Tilley pump, after more reading on here, I have seen that the leather bit has to be soaked in oil.......I hadn't done that so they are soaking as I type. Hope that sorts it. Jane
UPDATE I now have two working tilley lamps It was oiling the leather that fixed it. Also I now know how to fit all of the new washers and springs so thanks for everyones help on this, much appreciated. Steve, you have put bad ideas in my head about those vaporlux ones, i've looked at photos and realise I saw one in the shop where I got the other tilley today, so will have to resist the urge to go and get it. [Must not get more lamps, must not get more lamps, must not get more lamps. ]
Really sorry Jane, I don't know how to tell you this, but the prognosis is not good at all ! It would seem ,from your symptoms that you have 'Lanternitis' It's only treatable by acquiring more lamps and posting here amongst others that share your affliction Welcome Jane Ray
Hi Jane Well done on getting your two lamps working 8) very satifying 8) , now get down to that shop & if the Bialaddin/Vapalux lamp is still there & is around £20 bite their hand off 8) & i hate to tell you this , i'm afraid it's too late for you " dreaming of lamps already " there's no hope now just surrender to the urge Best regards & happy fettling , Stu
I got a copy of the Tilley book off ebay the today. Why O why did I do that It is like a ready made wish list. So many beautiful lamps, I want them all. I want to know what has happened to all of those really old ones? They are hiding somewhere just waiting to be found. I am afraid you are doomed, just like the rest of us who have just started collecting. Mine started as "I wonder how one of those works" now there is one in every room of the house
The Bialaddin lamp was still there and it was £18 so following your advice, I got it, and I love it already. I was very sensible and stopped there as I was also tempted by another the same (£18) and a green one that was a bit different for £22. Just had to get a mantle for it, which I picked up from the camping shop on the way home and even though its a Tilley one, it works . Here's a photo.
Well done Jane; a bargain at that price. I think it is the Bialaddin 315 model. A very reliable and well made lamp. I particularly like the hinged support for the spirit cup on that model; the hinge allows you to raise the cup for preheating and then to lower it out of the glass globe when the lamp is going. It is always best to do this as it stops the breheater material getting too charred when it is in the lowered position. Were the other two in as good condition? You are definitely inflicted with advanced "Lampitis" now. Good fettling - Steve.
Thanks Steve, Thats handy to know about the preheater, I'll do that next time I use it the wick is a bit charred already and I don't want it getting worse. The other 2 lamps were in worse condition, the green one had a biggish dent in the bowl and the other one like mine was a bit scruffier. Still tempting though, but my son has very rightly pointed out, I may have enough lamps now and if I were ever to get another one, maybe I should get a different model vapalux/bialaddin one for a bit more variety.
At £18 and if there is glass in them they are a steal. A new globe for just about any lamp is around £15 at least these days and the globe in your Bialaddin 315 is an older obsolete one now anyway. At those prices you really can't go wrong as the glass and parts are worth more even if you have to scrap the lamp. Check out the prices at Base Camp here. http://www.base-camp.co.uk/Vapalux.html ::Neil::
I suspect you have already found your bialaddin 315 to be a better lantern than the Tilley's? This is something that comes to us all. I have 3 Tilley's, which I love, but I also have 3 Bialaddin/vapalux which beat them hands down.
