Recently I have managed to find a few hours to spend on bring both my Wells flare lamps back to fine fettle. The smaller of the two (number 12) was missing it’s filler cap, the pricker and the small chain that joins the two. After measuring up, I ordered the correct gauge and grade Piano wire to replicate the originals that were thankfully present on the larger of my two Wells flares (number 13). I measured up the loop size of the chain links and turned a piece of steel in the lathe to the correct diameter to make a former for the links and then the same again for the loop of the pricker. A new lid was turned to match the original I have but sadly I couldn’t find an exact knurling tool but it’s fairly close until I find better. With a bit of time and heat plus the new formers I have ended up with this, which I am fairly happy with bar the knurling. Fairly obviously, the new filler cap, the new chain and pricker sat to the right of the original.
Next on the list to sort is this Wells Moulders lamp. Somebody in the past has cut down the burner spout and it also has had a piece chipped off. I have now found a suitable piece of cast iron which should produce a replacement.
