Got the old girl working after 40 odd years sitting idle in my grandfathers and then my dad’s garage. That was the first lamp I’ve repaired. I’m hooked. Onto what I think is a Tilley PL53 (correct me if I’m wrong) with a Steel tank and no pressure pip. Lots of parts missing and beyond economic repair but I like it and it’s been in the family since new.
If it's a steel tank then it's probaby 1943 (my birth year)! Any PL53 is a great lantern as far as I'm concerned! Good luck, love to see it when you finish with it. I think I have four of these now, and one PL55!
TL10 .... well fettled and burning bright. PL53 .... The base for a fine lamp, slightly rarer being steel. You’ll need a 169 vaporiser, hood, burner, globe and cage. All appear on the auction sites from time to time, used or new.
Hi George. Looking for a for a bit of help. Is the bottom of the handle threaded into the tank? One of mine is turning so do I need to solder it? I can’t see how to get the handle off without heating it and bending “hinge” at the top of the arm
Yes, you turn the collars which are screwed onto threaded studs on the tank. The three parts of the handle then come off as one assembly. No, you could shorten the screwed collar by grinding off a millimetre or so from the bottom or, effectively, lengthen the tank stud by adding a small shim. You'll see what I mean when you get them unscrewed.
Hi lampost1 David's right. Follow his suggestions, you won't go wrong. I don't have a steel one. Got to keep looking. This is the only lantern type my wife says she can't smell! I think she loves the style, too!
Thanks for that. It’s been painted several times in the past and covered with putty of some kind so I thought I’d play it safe and ask first before destroying. Both the handle shaft and the collar are threaded making it awkward to get off but success at last.
Congratulations lampost the TL10 looks good and with a bit of searching the parts are available to get the PL running again.
If @paul m or other members here do not have the PL53 parts for you, Juliands has all the parts to complete it.
Well done on the table lamp, always good on the first light. Good luck with the PL53, she’s a grand olde lady. Cheers Peter
Got her burning nice and bright today on the first try. Only problem was the steel filter in the cock was choked. Now just to get a cage, hood, glass, some air buttons and a lick of paint.
