Hi all. I am about to start cleaning up a Tilley lantern. I'm a noobie to this. I believe the model to be a X246 Storm Lantern - Plated which, according to my searching, dates it to 1950-1952. From a family member, now deceased, but it has not been used for maybe 35 years. A few questions to start with , if someone can help me please? 1. the best method for cleaning up the plating, which isn't too bad but could do with some TLC? 2. how to remove the control knob? Does it pull off or screw off? 3. how to extract the cleaning wire for cleaning. I'm not sure if it has its full travel, as it only pokes out the top of the vapouriser a miniscule amount when the knob is turned. Or maybe that is the correct amount it is meant to protrude? Thank you in anticipation.
To answer your questions: 1. the best method for cleaning up the plating, which isn't too bad but could do with some TLC? Empty the tank. Submerge it in 1/3 vinegar to water for a few hours. Empty the tank and clean off any accumulated crud from the outside with a damp cloth. If need be use soapy water. If that doesn't work on accumulated kerosene residue, use some turpentine. You can then, if needed, polish with Autosol or similar (but NOT polish which has ammonia - it corrupts the brass). Then to finish off, polish with car wax - it will keep it clean and protect the plating. 2. how to remove the control knob? Does it pull off or screw off? If it is the old-fashioned one (short and roundish as opposed to somewhat cylindrical) it screws off anti-clockwise. 3. how to extract the cleaning wire for cleaning. I'm not sure if it has its full travel, as it only pokes out the top of the vaporiser a miniscule amount when the knob is turned. Or maybe that is the correct amount it is meant to protrude? That is the correct amount of 'poking out'. It clears the jet and then seals the hole. It can be removed by gently pulling it out from the bottom and twisting it as it comes. It is not screwed in to anything. See here for more ideas on fixing an X246 (I have a few...): General advice for the first time Tilley fettler: 1. Take it apart gently and clean dirt and oil off everything. 2. Soak the burner and its various parts in 1/3 vinegar and water for two hours, clean with a cloth or if it's really dirty, some 00 or 000 steel wool. Make sure there is no gunk inside the burner and the airtubes. Tighten all the bits up to very tight hand tight then a slight tightening with multi-grips lined with thin leather. Check that all looks clean and tight and clear. 3. Take the vaporiser off. Check that the tiny pointy end of the vaporiser needle makes its way through the vaporiser nipple (less than 1mm is needed) by carefully but firmly pressing the bottom of the needle on a hard surface and watching the top of the vaporiser. 4. Then take the needle out and soak both the needle and the vaporiser in the vinegar mixture for a few hours. Clean the needle (carefully) with steel wool and tap the vaporiser firmly many times to clean out any carbon inside it. Refit the needle and make sure it can emerge from the tip of the vaporiser. 4. Take the control cock apart (look at The Base Camp site for an exploded view of the control cock) and soak it in the vinegar mixture for a few hours and thoroughly clean it. 5. Do the same for the pump. 6. Then replace all the washers and seals with new ones (you can order from The Fettle Box). 7. Clean out the fount by also soaking in the Vinegar mix, drying (with a hair dryer if need be), then flushing with kerosene a few times. 8. Tighten everything up. The externally fitted bits like the control cock and the pump are only fitted to hand tightness. 9. Fill the tank to 3/4 with clean kerosene (850mm). Put on a new mantle. Good luck. Cheers Tony
Outside I clean with car wash or dish detergent then Autosol polish ( do not use polishes with ammonia [Brasso] etc) for corroded heat affected parts use 50/50 vinegar /water, soak with 1/2 hr checks until satisfed. Inside tank, empty and rinse with solvent i.e. acetone until clean, dry and air out. oil pump leather cup. 2 The on 50-55 type B Knob is screwed (grip shaft with leather and pliers to undo) the later tapered (as 246B is a push on) 3 needle sounds fine vaporiser unscrews from control cock and you can then remove needle clear carbon careful to not bend it. Do a dunk test to check for leaks by pressurising I remove pump piston and plug pump then submerge in water and bubbles will show any leaks I must be slow typing as Tony`s post was not there then
If like me your eyes aren't quite what they used to be and/or the lighting isn't great you can very gently run a finger across the top of the vapouriser; as long as you can feel the tip that's usually good enough... I really can't see it at all without a magnifier these days
