Hi All Earlier this year, from eBay and after much deliberation, I bought an electrocuted X246 1st model, this lamp had been on eBay for some time and it was relatively cheap. The deliberation was caused by the lamp's conversion to electrickery, the subsequent loss of the burner, the rough soldering of the 4 cage posts to the tank and the "why" would someone solder the posts and what was the solder camouflaging? Here was what it looked like The soldered cage posts or legs to the tank, all 4 post were like soldered and covered with a liberal dose of gold paint. I had to use first the Dremel to remove the bulk of the solder and then very sharp chisels to pare away the remaining solder. It took a lot of hours to painstakingly remove the solder from the brass without damaging the tank. I had no idea what was laying hidden under the solder so I didn't want to risk using any heat. The solder has been completely removed and the brass polished. Its just had a coating of clear lacquer. looking down at the 4 posts. Incidentally there didn't appear any reason for the solder job, the tank and the post receiving sockets were sound and held/hold air pressure. So why the solder ........ ???? The tank is in excellent condition, free from dents and scraps. The hood cowling's brass had to be straightened, at some time it had been either whacked or a heavy object placed on it causing it to concertina somewhat, I used a small ball peen hammer on a cast iron anvil and successfully tapped the distorted brass straight and true. I had to provide a replacement burner, the original went west when the conversion to electrickery was done. I used a burner that was reclaimed from a X246 manufactured after the 2 model, the type with the wire cage. I felt this burner would be in keeping with what one would expect in this lamp type. This is the finished fettle. The orange enamel cap is a new one from Korea and has the same profile as the original. The 171 type glass is the deep dish type commensurate with the glass found with the model 1 and model 2 X246s. The plated cock that came with the electrocuted version was carefully scrapped clean of its plating thereby exposing the brass and subsequently reused. The finished lamp has all new seals and hold pressure very well. I haven't fired her up yet but its time is near. So after the hesitant purchase I am very happy with the restoration. She's a keeper! Cheers Peter
The legs were most likely soldered as they might have been loose in the threads .Solder might have run into threads making them unable to be screwed out now . Just my thought .Seen that one for a while on Ebay good job on bringing it back . Bob .
Hi Bob Thanks for that, appreciated. I suspect that you're right. I didn't force the issue with trying to unscrew the legs. Let well enough alone theory. Peter
Hey Pete you have done a fine job with that "pork pie" and it's come up a treat! Couldn't help but notice the X359 in the background . Does your Tillite torch work? I have just acquired one myself and am in need of a vent as the rest is in reasonable condition Wondering if you had a spare or knew of anyone who would here in Aust Kind regards Andrew
Hi Andrew It's actually a X246A with a X359 hood. It is as originally supplied from the factory. It appears that the Tillite Preheater on the X359 was not very successful and Tilley abandoned it. Tilley then used up the X359 hoods on their X246As. One fine day I would like to find an actual X359 and have a go at getting it to work. Cheers Peter
Hi Pete yes imagine my suprise when I wandered into a SH shop yesterday and there it was and he threw it in with a X246A ! I couldn't pay Hom quick enough! I love a challenge and hope to get the the Tillite torch firing . I've done a bit of homework here but haven't had a chance to have a good play with it yet! It looks complete though The vent is I bit squashed but could fix up and get re porcelained but we shall cross that bridge later I think I saw yours online A lovely pick up Here is mine
You did a grand job on this one! I have two, one of which I am going to start restoring very soon - I hope! I underwent cervical spine surgery for the second time in almost 10 years and this last surgery was worse than the first time... but I'm almost 10 years older now and it's harder to recover. These pork pie Tilleys are one of my favorites; I love those old PL-53, too.
Hi Andrew In the words of Monty Python "you lucky lucky b.....". What a find, what a treasure, keep us informed on your progress. It would be great to see the fettle pictures. Peter
Hi George Thanks for that. I too like the pork pies and strangely enough I'm about to post my fettle of a PL53. Watch this space. Get well and cheers Peter
Good work, Peter. Have you run the Pork Pie under full pressure for a while? Sometimes they leak at that joint on the tank, but all that solder may have done the job. Now all you need is the short bail version! Cheers Tony
Hi Tony All working well. Yeah a short bail job would be great, so my lovely wife will need another box of chocolates I'm thinking ...... Hahahaha Peter
Hi Peter yes a lucky find indead Contimplating getting the hood sorted properly as I doubt I'll find another one ! Will keep u posted on fettle now I've sorted photo issues out here I'll post a few more' lucky ' rarities here soon ! If you ever want to put the proper hood on your x246 I'll swap you one Do you collect any other lantern brands or just Tilley? Cheers
Hi Andrew My first lantern was an Aladdin Stormproof 1A, my wife and I saw it in a local market here in Toowoomba going for $35. I bought it and decided to get it going. (I must add that I grew up in the mid north of South Australia and kerosene was very much part of my early life) I fettled it with the missing and buggered parts replaced from TW Sands and got it going, I was so excited, that's when the bug bit me. I bought another Aladdin 1A and fettled it, great stuff I thought, and there was no stopping me, a lamp acolyte was born. I decided to collect Tilleys, and then later branch out from there. Tilleys coz that's the lamps I remember as a kid, it seemed the word "Tilley" meant kero pressure lamp whether it was manufactured by Tilley or not. I'm just about to write a post on my fettle of a PL53. I'm posting my fettles now coz I've sorted out the picture side of posts, I think ....... Cheers Peter
Hi All The X246 1st Model has been lit. First light after its resurrection from its electrocution. Sweet success after I replaced the 606 generator, the used refurbished one I used caused severe flare ups. A new generator of the older style, with the brass ferrel, did the trick. Looking at the replaced generator's jet hole I reckon I could poke one of my fingers into it ...... tight fit though, I don't think my thumb would have fit ........... She works like a beauty ......... She's a keeper. Cheers Peter
Hi Pete looking forward to your next Fettle as you have done a really smart job on the Pork Pie! I have a few Aladdin A1 They are a wonderful lantern and have a " proper " kero gen I've been mainly collecting early Coleman Lanterns but really have taken to the Tilleys I hope to find a first model X 246 to fettle but that will be after the X359 is done Keep the pics coming and again well done!
