Hi all. I've just joined this site I have recently began collecting and restoring paraffin and petrol lamps and blow lamps. However I have seen a Benzolene blow lamp for sale, a Vintage Brass Blow Torch British Made Monitor Benzolene No. 43A There's no pump so how do these work please?
Welcome Russ! No pump, ‘benzoline’ (old name for gasoline without lead or additives), a priming with methylated spirits burnt in the priming cup inset into the top of the fuel tank causes the volatile fuel in the tank to heat up and pressurise the air space above the fuel. The fuel to use these days is Coleman fuel or alkylate petrol (Aspen 4) obtainable in the UK from some garden machinery specialist outlets. Here’s a Svea working on the same principle. John
These blowtorches are usually more than 70 years old.The suction wicks are rotten , or there are only remnants left in the intake tube. Then the blowtorch no longer works, because he doesen't have a pump . A new suction wick must be inserted into the suction tube. I use rifle cleaning wicks, a long upwardly bent cotter pin,or a nail for this. The new wick should sit tightly in the tube . Many manufacturers also have a small sieve built into the very end of the intake tube. I also like to use Aspen 4 as fuel.
Thank you so much. If I buy this it will be my 7th blow lamp, it's only £8 so nothing to loose even if I have to keep it as an ornament
Welcome Russ. Do not hesitate. Buy it regardless of what. Figure out how to make it work later. It doesn't need a pump. Operates like what other members had already described. You will certainly need volatile fuels like gasoline, Coleman fuel or equivalents. Don't expect it to work with kerosene. The wick is crucial. It helps administer just the right amount of fuel to the jet/nozzle orifice for proper vaporization without flooding it during initial preheat/startups. Subsequent heating of the fount or tank after startup and during operation provides some self-pressurization of the air inside it. This ensures stronger wicking of the fuel to the point of discharge. Use fresh fuel which still contains most of the more volatile components in it. Benzoline is no longer available. Modern gasolines might foul-up more quickly. Coleman fuel and light naphtha are cleaner alternatives. Alkylate gasoline is similarly clean burning and purely paraffinic/alkanes without aromatic hydrocarbons. These might be more available in your location too.
Thanks all. If my offer is accepted I'll look in to getting g it running....will have to see if I can source a new wick for it
Welcome aboard @Russ Greenacre To create new wick, nothing is better than a mop with cotton strands. Gilles
feed them after midnight and they multiply when you arent looking, average car boot price is between 1&3 pounds, average trader shop price is whatever they can charge, £8 is ok if youre after it, learn about seals and mating surfaces they are in a very literal sense a life saver with any gasoline stove/lamp/blowtorch, a look through the multitudinous posts here will be useful, any questions theres a search box and many people happy to answer questions
