Oh! Frabjous day! Halloo, Hallay - he chortled in his joy (Jabberwocky). I finally sorted my R1! The problem turned out to be connected to the fact that I have two R1's. One, early '40's with a copper reflector and, another, later, early '50's? with the speculum coated reflector. Having disassembled them both, quite a while ago, I didn't appreciate there was a difference in the length (height?) of the burner assy casing and inner tubes. It would appear that one of them is shorter than the other and, I guess I was trying to use a short inner tube in the long outer casing, hence the lack of thread grip and it falling apart. A couple of photos: In the first photo, the longer outer is at the top and, in the second, the longer inner tube is on the right. Anyway, back to the beginning: Feeling all cosy again!
Thanks for the comments guys! Yes it was good to finally get it sorted. This, of course, leads to a further question: Why was the height changed and when? Answers on a postcard, please!
And, on a further note, I've also sorted the lighting up routine. A good burn, with the windshield and meths torch; open tap and pump: lots of flame! Allow it to burn almost out. Close stop-cock. Re-open stopcock and apply a match. Instant "pop"! Remove windshield and pump until you get a lovely rosy glow. Simples! when you know how! Thanks guys!
Mr S Man You will get less soot in your system if you double prime with metho rather than opening the kerosene too early. I use a preheater similar to a Bialaddin preheater. See here: http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/5661 The one in the photo on the link above was made by Stu (loco7lamp). I also have similar ones made by Kerry460. Even without a draught shield, if I light indoors, I only need one prime using the above device. So, I think a longer or double prime would produce the ideal lighting result for you. As a further note: when lighting any Tilley, the recommended procedure is to prime, then with the control cock closed, pump 15 to 20 times, then open the control cock. Leave it burning at this low pressure for a while (30 secs or more) then slowly pump to 100 pumps. Of course fuel level, and the state of your vapouriser mean that those numbers are a guide only. Cheers Tony
Thanks, Tony, that sorted it! I still needed the draught shield but, otherwise, it worked just as you said. Must look at those petromax primers.
