I never imagined I would get one of these, but I did a stupid on the-bay, and won by $2.25 with only seconds to spare. Now for the questions! How do I preserve the transfer labels??? How do I clean/polish the reflector??? I really want to preserve this as much as possible while cleaning it up. I'M TERRIFIED! I expect that I'll see it at the end of next week, and I have to explain it to my wife. She's very understanding, but I may be pushing it this time. Al
Great find. If keeping it at your place will be trouble then send it to me and you can come visit it when ever you want. Could be just the thing for shining gators here in the swamp. piper
Nice find, looks like it's had very little use and that the previous owners had trouble lighting it, the reflector is black with soot.....
Yep, presumably the former owner was expecting it to be a Quik-Lite - despite the lighting instructions being on the tank. Looks like the second version of the AL21...
David is right this is version 2. I am not sure about dates for these though. After 1940 for sure but with those decals possily mid 1950s or a tad later. I don't know when Tilley changed to the four leg type. Spray the decals with a clear lacquer and give it a day or so for full cure and then you can mask them off and repaint or just clean. You need a low grab masking tape mind. The reflector is chrome plated copper and often all they need is a clean rather than heavy polishing. You can use an auto chrome polish if it is required. No need to be afraid of a Tilley. They are not complicated engineering and this beast is mostly steel so it will be pretty robust. The valve and burner arrangement is the same as the lanterns in function and can be fettled in the same way. Very cool lamps these and that is a very nice find at whatever cost. ::Neil::
Nothing to be ashamed of, really That is an excellent find, they have a sort of industrial look over them and once properly fettled they should work very well. I have a FL6 in almost unused condition and I'm impressed with the performance, works great every time. You'll have this working pretty soon, you'll have a challenge polishing the reflector, and maybe a new vapouriser and you're good to go. I'd personally use soap and warm water (not to warm ofc.) Make sure that once you start, your brush is wet, you might get scratches otherwise. As to preserving the decals I guess you can avoid cleaning them, as they might fall/scratch off once you start cleaning the whole lamp. All in all a great find and I'm quite jealous, send one to me next time you find one. Oh - and don't forget to update us here! Best regards, Frank
Would it be possible to adhere some sticky clear plastic sheet to the decals and try to pull them off the lamp surface? My theory being the plastic sheet adhesive surface would be stronger than what is holding the decals to the lamp and the less stronger side would give? Then they could be stuck back on plus they would have a protective plastic film over them? Steve.
Very nice Al. I wouldn't try to remove the decals. Clean it up, reseal it and you are good to go, uses the 191 mantle.
Many thanks for pointing out the correct mantle! I periodically order parts from Basecamp, so I'll just add a little something for myself this time! Certainly looking forward to having it arrive in the mail
