Hi fellas I have restored this Aladdin 12A into operation. It’s a cool lantern, not without some adventures. It had a broken globe frame, missing a bale stem,the hood had some sort of industrial paint, the bottom plate had some sort of wax like covering, the tank etc has heavy grime covering it, but it’s all there. I put everything in the ultrasonic bath a few times and removed a cleaned up bits as when ready. The two part hood didn’t clean up well the paint didn’t shift I replaced them with spares I have. I fitted a new pricker. There was a difference in height the 12A rod did not allow for the new pricker even though it was the same as an A1 rod , so I swapped rods and made the adjustments required. I set about remaking the globe frame. Measured cut, machined. Bale holder rods al hood cap latches, with some success I set about soldering/ braised together but I had a few issues. It was going ok but maybe impatient or work skills I managed to melt the plate and top ring. Not happy, so I went with a replacement frame exactly the same. I cleaned and reassembled the lantern but noted the burner tubes and inner working are not the same as an A1, the hole where the jet and top part of the generator are or can be different sizes only by milli meters. Picture 1 is the 12A hole 11/12mm, generator top 9.5mm A1 second pictures so everything is not quite the same. The pump is not original but it’s what it came with northern is the pricker knob looks home made but gives character. I had reassembled the lantern with the appropriate generator and burner, kept the original burner cap. It did light up successfully. I did look in the reference gallery to read up about my 12A . Some interesting reading and the different looks and bits on some others. Just to show 2 12A’s but different is possibly a mix of 12A and 14A hope you all like my presentation ts been an adventure, tried my work skills tried making parts it’s an educational thing. Enjoy, please do comments ask questions about the lanterns it’s all good
Good to see another old Aladdin up and running. The collar that’s on the 12A on the right in this photo is from an Aladdin 14A lantern. Cheers Tony
@Tony Press hi Tony, this is how I found it , I assume it 12A font. The collar and upper are the same as a 14 A that I have restored, not sure but looks like parts are interchangeable. The 14A works different to the other models
@Darryl Durdin All of the Aladdin 12A’s I’ve seen have stamped tanks (stamped Aladdin 12A). But I do have something hanging in the shed that I will have a look at later — it looked a bit like the one on the right with the arrow. @Roy Allan Just the wire; or the threaded pricker with the wire? Tony
The threaded pricker, 20 mm from thread to wire. Either I buy a thread die or braze up something. The wire appears 300
@Roy Allan Yes they can be made and Yes , the brass section of the pricker is 20mm long which is shorter than the later 1A Aladdin which is 24mm long. I use 0.15mm dia stainless steel spring wire for the pricker, however others have suggested 0.18mm. Worth checking the wire in a jet before final crimping. if you have access to a lathe you can drill a 2mm dia solid brass rod otherwise here is the next best way I have found. The pricker wire I use is 0.15mm (0.006") dia I have used these tubes to make replacements for Aladdin 1A 2mm dia with wall thickness 0.45mm The 1 mm dia tube slides into the 2mm to reduce the centre diameter to approx 0.4mm. If you want to reduce further use a 27 gauge hypodermic needle inside the 1mm. To start and keep the taping running true I mount the 2mm brass rod in a drill press and lay the die flat on the bed. I then turn the chuck by hand. A suitable thread on the Aladdin 12A and 1A pricker is 9BA Worth looking at these posts Radius No 119 pricker Veritas - Generator’s Pricker Replacement
Thank you so much Robbo55 for taking the time to show myself and others. It may save a few Aladdin’s as well. And you are correct on the length of the needle. My second Aladdin is 25mm. All the best Rob and also Tony Roy
Youare welcome Roy. The length of the brass section does vary. For the 12A (Radius 119) 20 to 22mm. The Aladdin 1A's 24 to 25mm. Try to match the one you removed.
