This is a Radius 119 from what I believe the second half of the thirties, level gauge, fiber wheel, no “Ltd” on tank and the first version of the safety filler lid. Decent condition but the level gauge is completely clogged up with dry kerosene residues and the glass is cracked. The gauge need a long healthy bath in alcohol and a new glass and seals. I have a couple of questions: 1) The glass globe is an original Radius but made in France by Sibor. How common are these on Radius? 2) The hole on the outside of the safety lid was blocked by a piece of lead and I suspect that it’s defect. How difficult is this lid to restore?
1. The Sibor glasses are not very common, so I would look after that one. 2. To start with, here is a picture of the insides of a filler cap. It's the 'new' style, but the parts are more or less the same. It is possible to have a problem with the rubber seal or the brass plate. The most likely is the rubber seal and that requires making a new one. It can be done with patience. I have seen the brass plate cracked in a filler cap. This is very thin brass but also possible to make. Good luck with the fettling.
Thanks! It was surprisingly easy to open the cap after so many years, nothing else than the force of my hands. First inspection show that all seem to be okay, however the rubber seal has no flexibility left, feels like a piece of modern plastic. It will be very interesting to see if it still works when I pressurize the lamp.
Nice and clean. I use the dishwasher (don’t tell my wife) and after that a very, very…very gentle polishing. We have to keep in mind that the oxidation on these old lamps can’t be polished away. The only thing that happens when polishing too hard is that the nickel plating will be destroyed. During dismounting I noticed that previous owners have used all sort of seals and stuff to get everything tight except the right things. I have to order some new parts before mounting everything together again.
Not much happen now (too much to do at work and home) but a new replacement glass arrived this week to serve in daily work as an replacement for the original Sibor. I bought it at Tradera (Swedish ebay) as I thought a none branded replacement glass but to my great surprise it arrived as an original replacement glass. At least I believe it’s a replacement glass and not fitted as original on a Radius 119. Any opinion about if this is a replacement glass or ever fitted as original on a Radius 119 from the forum?
These glasses were original fitment from the 40's on. They were standard on the civil defence version, which is probably why there are many of them available as spares in Sweden.
Finally I got some time to fit everything together. After a first test by pressurize the lamp under water I noticed air leak from the safety filler cap, of course the rubber membrane that Nils expected. New membrane ordered and in the mean time I “borrow” the membrane from my other 119. On top a spare reflector I bought a few months ago. Now the 119 work perfect!
It’s just an ordinary dishwasher that we all have in our kitchens. I'm a little lazy, washing by hand in hot soap water works as well. I believe the outdoor pictures fool your eyes. If you look on the “after” picture on the level gauge you can see that time has left its marks. I will follow Christer’s advice and take some pictures and upload them to the reference gallery next time I use this mature beauty.
Great. Regarding dish washers, they are actually great for cleaning much other than the usual dishes and utensils. Lantern parts, especially the glass, just to mention some. I even placed the entire sub-machine gun there to make it sparkling clean before the final and extra thourough inspection the days before the military service should end. Lazy youths can find out many ways...
