I picked up this lamp at the reclaimation centre last week for about $3. I'm really interested in restoring it as its a lovely thing. Can anyone give me any help in identiying it? from what I've read it sounds like its from place 40's early 50's.
That particular version of the 300x would have been made between 1950 and 1952 as far as we know. That one looks to be pretty much complete and original: a nice find
Welcome, You've picked up a good lamp for an attractive price. Hopefully, the fount would hold pressure. This would be of greatest concern for any old pressure lamps besides the completeness of parts.
I've partially dissassembled it to start cleaning it up. Doesn't actually work at the moment. I don't think there's any pressure at all which hopefully is explained by the fact the leather boot on the pump is missing, got one of those on order so we'll see once that arrives. Cleaning up is fine, really not sure what to do about the painted bits though. Is it actually possible to repaint these? I hear there some serious heat particuarly in the hood. Thanks
Hi Andrew The hoods on these lamps are made of steel and coated in vitreous enamel, theres been plenty of debate on this forum about trying to find some sort of paint that will stand up to the temperatures generated. The fount will repaint nicely ,I've done a few of these with great results. Regards Ian.
Welcome to CPL @AndrewA It's a good lantern and should clean up nicely . Be careful with the glass, they're hard to find in Australia. As said, painting the fount is straightforward but just clean up the hood as best you can. Don't hesitate to ask questions.
If you paint the tank the hood will look tawdry. Why not clean it up and use it? You could revel in its history…
You should get your hands on a complete seal kit. You need the one that is for the larger of the two fuel caps (later models have smaller ones)
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I've started cleaning up but my leather boot has not arrived so i've put it back together to test. Can't get it to light at the moment, but not sure if I'm just missing something. I seem have pressure as the pressure release in the filler cap audibly fizzes when i release it. I can also see oil coming out of the vaporizer - kind of pooling at the top once the pressure is pumped enough. I've found unless I do the nut up quite tight on the jet cleaner i see oil leaking out of it, not really sure if I should have it tight or not? I'm a little unsure in terms of the mantle, bought some new ones, all the descriptions talk about big hole at the top, small at the bottom, none of mine have bottom holes at all. I've been cutting my own at the bottom so it can slide onto the vaporizer, but i'm unsure if it should be able to slide up and down the vaporizer (with the top clamped onto the that ring of the burner, or if i should be pushing the top of the vaporizer into the bottom of the burner, and kind of forcing the bottom of the mantle inside the burner tube. Obviously I'm quite new at this I've failed to get the mantle burning properly so far after watching a few youtube videos on how to light the lamp. Anybody got any suggestions on what I should be checking next?
Hi @AndrewA good progress can I first ask if you have changed all the seals? i realise about the pump leather but the fuel should make a thin stream shooting out , not just pooling on the top is there a spigot that screws into the burner? It helps to slide and steady the burner onto the vapouriser and you tie the bottom of the mantle onto it Sometimes when you get a lantern they are missing.. hard to see from your photos if it is there or not? have a look at this , it is a Tilley but the mechanics are very similar to the Bialaddin .. this is a letter model but the burner is mostly the same.. the spigot is present.. but can be unscrewed to help with fitting the mantle
Thanks that's actually really helpful. I'm kind of learning how this thing works by seeing bits working, (didn't even know a pressure lamp was a thing until I picked this up) but I was wondering how the pooling oil could possibly have enough force to get to the top of the burner. Probably hence the question about the mantle placement. Have only changed the seals which have broken, not all of them. I do have a seal kit on its way from fettlebox (thanks guys for the last bits) so maybe that needs to be my next step. Spigot is definitely there and looks intact to me. Mine has a groove in the bottom fat bit which i can clip a clip type mantle to.
If the Tilley diagram I showed is confusing then there is an exploded diagram of a 300X on the website of a great resource which has the correct model numbers for all the parts (see link below) www.base-camp.co.uk Once there, if you click on the top right lantern image it takes you to the parts page for Vapalux (Bialaddin) Scroll right down and there is a link to the diagram edit : just saw your reply.. the seal in the gland will need changing or for now you can get some gas ptfe tape and wrap some around then screw the gland nut back on?
I would suggest a full seal kit and the correct mantles. It is tricky to diagnose issues if the lantern is leaking air/fuel. There are rubber seals/washers top and bottom of the jet cleaner, as well as one under the knurled nut round the rod that ends with the knob. The mantles need to have holes top and bottom. They can be sourced pre-tied or loose. Original part no V42. You have bought mantles suitable for different design of lantern. When you say oil do you mean Kerosene ? Keep going.. Chris
Andrew, see here: Bialaddin 300X If you run into any problems getting your lantern to run, send me a pm and I can call you to talk you through it. Tony
Thanks so much for all the replies and the mass of usefull information. Just waiting for a few extra seals to arrive so i can make sure they're all replaced.
