A C Wells flare lamp, parts re-manufacture.

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.

 

Nice work

 

It certainly looks the part

 

Thanks for the positive comments. Here is a picture of the old broken handle and the new one.

 

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.

 

I did eventually get around to the Moulders lamp spout, I just have to blue it now to get it to blend in a bit better.

 

Nice!


Tony

 

The spout looks good

 

Now blued and blending in somewhat better.

 

The next one was more of a blacksmith job. A couple of months ago I acquired a number 16 from a forum member, it’s a lovely lamp and quite scarce but sadly the handle was broken and part missing (second photo). I managed to borrow a complete one to copy.
It is an interesting design in that the handle can be engaged into the body for carrying the lamp or left loose for hanging.
I started with a piece of flat bar and the set about with grinder, file then emery paper until I had formed the profile (a lot of hours to get right). Once this was done fire and hammers plus various radius pieces of steel became the next tools. After persevering for some time I managed to get all the bends in the right places and now have a handle as per original.