From any dozen bunch of mantles, we are bound to have mantles which die of premature death. Blowouts from the first 'pop' light up or sputtering. What cracks me up are mantles which costs quite a bit or those hard to get ones... forms into some stupid shape. I don't usually get stupid shapes from Pmax, more of the Vapalux lanterns. But this one is from the Pmax 150. No idea how the opposite sides got tangled with each other when burning of with alcohol. Hoping they would part and bloom on the first light up. But that didn't happen. It cured in that shape. It looks somewhat usable but the the flame literally splits and i got a figure 11. I was too vexed i did not take the light up shots. Pop a new mantle in.
The only occasion I have a failure with a mantle is when my fettling not has been as thorough as I thought it was, then the mantle gets black and holes occur. The shape in your picture I haven't seen before.
Well, mantles don't form properly because there's been insufficient pressure at start-up to fully inflate them while they're still 'soft'. Having said that, too much pressure at start-up will often lead to the grand-daddy of all flare-ups so you're walking a bit of a tightrope there. Here's what I do when first lighting a new mantle and follow this advice at your own risk. I double prime the lantern (two bowls of meths or two Tilley torches, either consecutively or simultaneously) which usually takes 5-6 minutes. While I'm waiting for the full double-prime, I pump up the tank to full working pressure. When I'm absolutely sure the lamp is fully primed and more, I wack open the valve / control cock / jet cleaner - the lantern lights and the mantle fully inflates at the same time - hurrah! Clearly, do this outside but not when it's cold and windy. I suppose a reasonable compromise between what I do and what the instructions say you should do is to get the lamp up to full working pressure as soon as you can after priming and certainly before the mantle has 'set' into it's final shape...
I have found David's method works well, I tend to double prime then pump like he'll on my Vapalux lamps, not had a badly inflated mantle since adopting this method.
I've never had any problems blooming mantles with Pmax style lanterns. This method of sudden explosive burst of flames will get nice golfball mantles. But in the case of this Pmax 150, the mantle bloomed and still tangled from the inside. Sadly it hardened in that shape for sure. All crispy when i broke it to pieces. With Vapalux style, the only times i got it wrong is when the jet suddenly got blocked when i go crazy with the pumping. Sometimes i wish i have a jig to hold the font while doing the pumping frenzy. Somehow i just cannot get Pmax double ties to form nicely. My only way round is to tie them in reversed. I'll post a pic of the formed reverse tie.
It helps to have the fount full to the brim when installing a new mantle. Full pressure after just a few pump strokes.
First; - make sure you have a good size mantle, - unfolds the folds, due to packing and years of storage, - tie the mantle secure but for all make sure the folds are equally divided around the burner head. As for rapid systems: don't use the rapid to burn off the mantle. The reason should be obvious. Off coarse this only works with a good functioning lantern.
Good point, Wim - I forgot to mention that before I burn it off, I pull a new mantle from top to bottom to get rid of as much of the kinking as I can from around the 'equator'...
@isfuzzy , Indeed, sometimes its possible that the opposite sides inside the mantle get entangled a bit. Some lose weave ends or glue splatters in case for those with sealed paper packagings... Besides the startup procedures as mentioned here earlier, you might want to stretch out the whole mantle a bit to free up all creases and weave sticking or entanglings before tying it to the burner. Stretch it a little more after tying so that its as symetrical in shape as possible before burning-in with spirit.
What works for me to is to soak the new mantle with some spiritus/alcohol. The fluid and weight straightens the mantle. Also it burns off very easy ...
I read somewhere in some old literature that soaking the mantles in vinegar makes them burn brighter. The mantle would then have to be dried before burning. I don't remember what it was in but I think it was from the '30s or there abouts. I have never tried it because I hate the smell of vinegar.
well, My usual procedure for Pmax mantles, -remove from pack -inspect for holes / loosened sewn bottom (met a few so far) -holding the tie end and sewn end -pull and twist left right to see the tension even-ness on all sides -put onto burner ridge -pull tie -tie -make another outer loop -tie -adjust folds on all sides -pull down to check for even-ness -soak up with alcohol -replace inner casing -spirit cup -add fire -while burning, i pump to pressure 1 bar... I did 2 bar years ago but i got holes more often on the first 'pop'. -second spirit cup -about halfway spirit cup, whack open valve. -with welding goggles, look around for holes... i do not like to buy chimneys -wait till the orange flame of blooming mantle to go out -with welding goggles, look around for holes... i do not like to buy chimneys -leave the mantle to burn for 30mins I never realized my procedure is that long With vapalux its a different story. im not very sure why, but they are very prone to form lopsided
Anyways this is how I put on vapalux mantles I'm not a fan of fixing Vapalux mantles the right way round. I have the mantle ties face the burner on both ends. Never had any mantle fail to bloom in this way. Pmax double ties notorious for making stupid hourglass on the spigot, making only the top part glowing. Butterfly double ties I will tie the right way round because they shrink so much.
