Hello again, I purchased this Tilley 246 today, my plan is to get it running and show it off to friends and family, I'm hoping somebody could give me a little information about it (this is my first lamp!) At a glance I can't see a way to preheat, so it must be missing a preheating part, unfortunately, the glass is broken and a piece of the glass is missing, will it run OK with a broken globe? I checked The Fettle Box but couldn't find any parts for it. Regards. Ben
Well, first of all you need a Tilley pre-heating torch to prime it, although you could cobble-up something that would do the same job from the bottom of a Fosters lager can - pour the contents down the sink and then cut off the bottom. Punch a hole in the centre of that about the same diameter as the vapouriser (=generator) and slide it down over that. Use methylated spirit (='metho') to pre-heat the lantern - about 2-3 minutes burning will be needed. Shame about the globe - it was one of the original deep-dished ones. Usually not a problem to replace, even in Oz, although you may have to make do with a later shallow-dish one which will work OK but won't look 'right'. If you use the globe as it is, you'll find that the slightest breeze will upset the flame. You'll also need to check all the seals are tight otherwise you'll lose pressure or find paraffin leaked out all over the place. It's a nice lantern, or will be, when it's fettled - the shade is a nice feature. You might also need an insect screen for the bottom of the globe to stop suicidal mozzies destroying the mantle when the lantern is lit. Welcome to the forums. I'll leave it to one of your countrymen to take up the reins - you never know, there may be one within 250 miles or so...
Thanks for the advice David, couldn't agree with you more on where to put the contents of the fosters can, aweful stuff, almost as bad as VB. I've fettled a blow lamp and a Primus stove in the past so once I figure out how it operates/what's missing I should be OK with this lamp. Yes, hopefully one of my neighbours will be along shortly
@Ned's Head There’s a member not too far from you. You’ll need new washers, mantle, seals, and globe. Look here at a earlier Tilley X246. The essential components are very similar. Cheers Tony
What's the forum opinion on the cheap eBay mantles e.g. 10pcs Mesh Camping Lantern Mantles Lamp Mantle Paraffin Lamp Gas Lamp Cover EB | eBay Are they usable mantles or should I spend a little extra on something else?
No idea. Are they single or double-tie? You'll need double-tie mantles for Tilley lamps and lanterns. It is possible, apparently, to cut a small hole in single-tie types and use them in double-tie applications but I'd do it only as a last resort...
The one I posted was a single tie, I think most of the cheap eBay mantles from China are single tie, although lots are photographed at the right angle to give the appearance that they could be two tie but on thorougher inspection they are only single tie. @Tony Press Did you forget to ad a link in your post? I'm not seeing it on my end. Regards, Ben
