This is my first post here though I have visited you all many times recently and tried to benefit from the many helpful tips and instructions posted here. Perhaps a few words about my interest in pressure lamps by way of introduction... I had a couple of 'hurricane' wick lamps that I used when night fishing on the beach until my pal gave me his Coleman lamp when he bought a new twin-mantle version. Although I have used it several times, somehow it lacked the right 'smell'. I bought an Optimus 930 in almost new condition for £10 from a chap I worked with. He said it didn't work and I discovered someone had added a piece of copper pipe where there ought to be a gap. Even with its removal, the lamp was not a great success and indeed was the source of my login name. I have cleaned that sooty glass so often... When re-discovering that lamp in the back of the garage, I searched for some good advice on how to get it working properly and found CPL . But after reading many posts I also ended up buying another lamp or two or three or... So, as of today, two of my purchases are completely unused and still in original wrapping from the last century and the other three all require some attention and although I am making progress I have a lot to learn before I can enjoy that hissing glow and hot paraffin smell again whilst reading a good book and enjoying a nice beer outdoors of an evening. So, I have a target in mind. Sooty
Hi Sooty, and welcome to CPL - not many members down here in Sussex, I'm over near Heathfield. SWMBO is from Roffey. An almost new Optimus 930 for a tenner! Have a search for Ebay UK item No 390951175320 which sold recently. Terry
Odd that those Optimus 930s were an economy model but seem to go for the most money compared to other lanterns from the same stable. A tenner is (probably) an absolute bargain. I think they're bonny enough lamps and I have a couple around here. One ran fine the first time I used it but then went 'out of tune' and ended up with the dreaded black mantle disease on the next occasion. I can't remember whether I've even bothered to light the other... Edit: I've just checked that eBay number - £650!! I bet Paul was jumping with glee all the way to the bank. What was so special about that lantern? What am I missing here...
I ask my self that question too David and I still keep on buying them. Cant help it. I have just seven, but I know about other collectors with over 20 of them and I bet there are other with more. Beside it is a easy fettling lamp, economic build, very well-working and gives a awesome light compared to the size - then I think it just one of those lamp that gets under your skin. Claus C
@Sooty: welcome ! @claus: 10-20 of the same model ? That is called hoarding ! @Paul: special is the nos condition. That is what they want and are looking for.
Wellcome Sooty Wim. When it stands in front of you with its soft curves and a bright inner flame offering it self cheap - well you cant walk away then can you. You got to do your duty as a lampcollector the mormon-way looking at a lamp you love. 2 weeks ago I just got a almost mint for just a little more than this above and convinced my self to stop now I have one for each day in the week - or was it one for each month in the year Claus C
What! - over £650? Claus, I owe you a favour so I'll be very generous and let you have BOTH of mine for that much. Call them August and September...
650 - even founders are not allowed to curse in here I of course ment the lamp above the lamp above August and September wasnt that the two bad girls from James Bond or was that Bambi and Thumper I will have your kind offer in mind David, as no time-limit is set - I just wait Claus C
How common are the all-brass Optimus 930s? I can only see one in the reference gallery so must be fairly rare, especially with the box.
James, there's actually two brassies in the gallery; mine and Michel's They're not that un-common, really. They pop up now and then. just not as often as the plated ones. Which is a bit strange. I assume that the brass version were cheaper than the nickel plated, and since the 930 was a budget lantern from the beginning, you would expect people who bought them to be cheap aswell and choose the one that cost less.
The brass version only turned up in the late 70s or maybe even in the 80s. It was basically a way of saving costs but was marketed as something special. As there is over 25 years of production of the nickel plated version, including big military orders, and only about 10 years of production of the brass version when demand wasn't as big, it is no wonder that there aren't as many. I'm not sure if Optimus hadn't realised the popularity of the 930 by then and it wasn't as budget as it used to be?
Thank you all for the warm welcome. Roffey is only down the road from me and indeed I used to live there many years ago. Maybe if I find I buy another lamp or, more likely, need to bulk-buy mantles, I can flog my Optimus 930. £650 seems astounding but I can see why someone would like these lamps - neat, shiny, well-made and work well, though this last part has yet to be confirmed. I thought the ones I'd seen going for £90 were quite pricey but like all newish interests, one has a lot to learn at the outset. I will be bombarding you with questions sooner or later and maybe, if I can work out how to do it, some pictures of my lamps - alight! There is nothing special about them though. Actually, first question please - does anyone know the correct green colour for the matt green Wills and Bates tanks. It looks like one of the Humbrol greens I used to use on Airfix model tanks and aircraft as a lad and I'd like to paint over some chipped areas with a matching colour. Many thanks
If I were you sooty I'd give up with the 930 and send it to me to keep my other one company... Seriously they are wonderful little lamps... The usual caus of sooting up is impatience when trying to light them. You need t fill the priming cup to the brim and let it burn until almost dry before attempting to light it. They also need the pressure to be kept quite high, or at least mine does, otherwise you get the black mantle issue.
Thank you Gneiss, and all of the rest of you for the warm welcome. I did get my Tilley alight - hooray - and it worked! To be on the safe side, I gave it two goes with the burning meths thingy and I had no sooty flames - hooray again. However, as it was a test firing, I think I should have put more fuel in as it started to fade after a short time and I was reluctant to over-pump it as I have read dire warnings about blowing the base of the tank. Anyway, we are on our way!
