Apologies if this topic has been discussed 100 times before but I am a stranger here myself, having joined very recently, and it is a pretty daunting task to thumb through 5,694 previous threads to check it. I have acquired some super-bright mantles for my Tilley lamps (X246Bs) which are tie-on rather than push-on and I wondered if there was a best way to fit them. Knot (what type) or double knot or clove hitch. Also, what to do with the loose ends - snip them off or let them burn off when you light the lamp for the first time. Any advice would be very gratefully accepted.
Hi Roger and Welcome! there is a good thread about tying mantles You can search for it by using the search bar at the top right corner or perhaps some helpful member could post a link as i only have a phone hope thats helpful regards pb
For tie-ons and in my humble opinion, any kind of knot that you're handy or good at would do. Certain mantle tie-strings can be a little springy. Just need to ensure that the knot doesn't work itself loose before burning in. Once it is burnt-in, the type of knot does not really matter. As for the loose ends of the tie-string, snip them off if their appearance bothers you. They won't burn off but instead, might break off just like the rest of the mantle.
A knot tip some may (knot ) be aware of... A great knot to use is a reef knot (left over right and right over left etc), you can leave it slack until everything is sitting right and then use at least 3 fingers on each hand to snug it up tight. However, take it one step further and do a Surgeon's Knot. A double turn on the first "half"/layer, this has the effect that it holds the knot tight on the first tug, the second half secures it. When its snugged up tight its barely larger than a plain knot. It's a blessing for some burners which can reduce me to a torrent of expletives. Here is one using a wire-tie... Happy Fettling, Alec.
I find it easier to remove the hood, with the burner in it and face it upwards when fitting a new mantle rather than on the lantern. Same with a Tilley FL6 floodlight, I remove the burner and invert it into a block of wood with a hole cut to match the burner mixing chamber. Bit easier this way to force the opened mantle without having to move the material around on the string forever and a day. Then reassembling the lantern and burning off the mantle for the first time with a few matches at a time and outdoors. Then you follow the normal lighting procedure and the mantle assumes it's correct shape.
Thank you Pb, this is great and exactly what I was looking for. I never knew there were two ways to fit a mantle, and I bought my first Tilley around 1985. The reef knot I can manage but the surgeon's knot sounds even better if it holds the string tight while you finish it off. I very much appreciate all your help.
