So I am still attempting to get my 12A Aladdin back to nearer original. When I bought this (cheap) it had no vent or burner at all and no glass. I have acquired an early 1A version of the lantern with a vent and burner which fits nicely on the 12A but had to replace the globe rest and frame as well, however the ceramic nozzle is quite loose and I think would probably let in air. I have given it a run with no mantle and it seems to perform OK (long bluish flame). How on earth do you get these nozzles off? It doesn't want to screw off, I see a very thin hex nut flush with the burner body, does this have to come off first? The nozzle itself is clamped with a circular steel channel ring which also doesn't want to screw off. I see parts photos from other restorations where they have managed to remove this nozzle, how do you do it? This is a great, bright, quiet lantern and I think it deserves some attention.
1 inch spanner and a firm twist worked for me. I suspect this part had a good hold on the clay when new.
David, The hex nut acts like a locking nut and can be difficult to separate from the flane spreader. Heat and penetrating oil helps. Aladdin Flame Spreader problem
Thanks Martin. The link has all the information I need. The one main statement that I should have seen earlier was the comment that it is almost impossible to separate the nozzle from the attachment without damaging either the nozzle or the clamp channel ring. Which, using brute force and ignorance, I managed to do both. The really good nozzle just shattered and the ring is now fatally deformed. I have fettled a few Preston loop lanterns with ceramic nozzles and this form of attachment is the worst and looks designed to not be fixable. I am working on a way to attach the very commonly available Chinese Petromax clone nozzles which are so cheap that I don't mind wrecking a few in the process. I will let the forum know how I get on. One good thing about my failure is that I now know how these things attach and how to get them off!
I posted that the nut acts as a locking nut then deleted it. The nut is actually there to hold the burner in place. As I said above, I suspect the brass ring had a tight hold of the clay and the brass piece on the other side and it was not necessary to tighten it up too tight.
That would be very kind of you if you have one with the heatproof cement still intact. I would happily compensate for cost involved. Let me know.
@David Cully Send me message with your address and I’ll put it in the post on Monday. It’s one of a few that I got a few years ago. It was in a box with two others in as good condition as the one above, and two NOS flame spreaders - one marked 11/9 (eleven shillings and 9 pence), and the other 8/9. Cheers Tony
