A Tilley PL53 deciding to be different

Discussion in 'Fettling Forum' started by ColinG, Jun 28, 2020.

  1. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    IMG_20200628_145041_3.jpg

    IMG_20200628_145049_7.jpg

    I guess it got bored being normal! I could put a mantle on the air button and be done with it?!!!

    Seriously, I think it needs a bit of work.
     
  2. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    1,369
    Location:
    Lancashire, UK
    Fine furnishings to go up in flames Colin!

    John
     
  3. podbros

    podbros United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2015
    Messages:
    3,205
    Location:
    .. next to the Chester & Birkenhead Rlwy
    :shock:...The last pic looks like it's trying to light the candle for you?
     
  4. X246A

    X246A United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Messages:
    1,198
    Location:
    Norfolk, England
    I know the air buttons are missing their covers, but any suggestions as to why this is occurring?

    Regards Jeremy
     
  5. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    9,593
    Location:
    Stinkpot Bay, Howden, Tasmania, Australia
    Short answer: The vapour is burning inside the burner...

    There’s something seriously wrong. I will be interested to see what Colin comes up with.

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  6. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    1,369
    Location:
    Lancashire, UK
    Blocked burner outlets I’ll bet.

    0F1916E6-7754-4529-BE6D-A73A765E1D45.jpeg
     
  7. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    Well, as I have family over, my fettling opportunities have been limited this week, but next week I'll have to find out what on earth is going on. I'm sure I'll get to the bottom of it, but I thought the photo was well worth sharing!

    If only Tilley had seen the potential, the history of lamps and lanterns might have been very different.
     
  8. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2010
    Messages:
    15,013
    Location:
    Shetland Islands UK..
    If there is a strong smell of paraffin, then some part or parts of the burner are loose and it can be the mixing tube which is inside the mixing dome.
     
  9. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    I figured it was either the air buttons or a blockage somewhere. I replaced all the seals but didn't make sure the burner was clear!
     
  10. David Shouksmith

    David Shouksmith United Kingdom Founder Member

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2010
    Messages:
    8,216
    Location:
    North-East England
    That's very odd!

    Presumably it's breathing in through two of the air inlet tubes and out through the third. As John suggests, maybe a blockage in the lower burner area but putting the air intake baffles back on won't hurt as a first step. :whistle:
     
  11. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    Well it's a bit better. I cleaned all the burner tubes out and fitted proper air buttons and it's not doing an impression of a flame thrower now! It's a bit yellow but it might settle down.... possibly not, we'll have to see.

    IMG_20200629_135624_5.jpg
     
  12. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    Hmmmm the yellow is settling down now and turning blue. I might fit a mantle and see how it goes.
     
  13. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    1,369
    Location:
    Lancashire, UK
    The clue was nothing, not even a glimmer, appearing at the mantle - or the other air tube inlets either, so significant obstructions in two air tubes and burner flamelet holes.

    B4F72839-182B-408C-B430-2D1668393E41.jpeg


    @ColinG , a word to the wise. In THIS post you said,
    Though a paraffin-fuelled Tilley for indoor lighting is a fine thing, firing one known to be ailing on a dining room table isn’t to be recommended!

    Sorry, my Fire & Rescue Service heritage thrust me into saying that, at risk of sounding discourteous.

    John
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2020
  14. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2010
    Messages:
    15,013
    Location:
    Shetland Islands UK..
    It's progressing!:thumbup:
     
  15. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    No worries at all, it's sound advice! I wasn't expecting it to do this and it genunely took me off guard. I'm fairly sure I've fixed it now so I'll hopefully post some money shots, but your point was very well made and absolutely correct! Thanks John.
     
  16. James K

    James K United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2017
    Messages:
    649
    I have lost count of how many times I have nearly burnt my workshop to the ground. Perhaps I should find a safer hobby, or remember to testfire outside.
     
  17. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    Fitted a new vaporiser and away she went!

    IMG_20200701_181335_2.jpg
     
  18. Gary Waller

    Gary Waller Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2018
    Messages:
    606
    Much improved...:clap::clap:
     
  19. podbros

    podbros United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2015
    Messages:
    3,205
    Location:
    .. next to the Chester & Birkenhead Rlwy
    That's good news!... :thumbup:

    I've heard about some newer Tilley vapourisers that caused similar odd burn-ups, but i think they were more with the shorter vap tube? (606)..:-k
     
  20. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    Yeah, the jet was badly enlarged... probably been used for the last 50 years!
     
  21. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2010
    Messages:
    15,013
    Location:
    Shetland Islands UK..
    That's good news!:thumbup::thumbup:
     
  22. BigStevie

    BigStevie United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2018
    Messages:
    2,209
    Location:
    Scottish Highlands
    Looking good Colin!
     
  23. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    I'll have to move on to the next fettle now!
     
  24. Alex Smith

    Alex Smith United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2019
    Messages:
    974
    Location:
    Central, UK
    Curious minds are asking, what is your next fettle?
     
  25. ColinG

    ColinG United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2017
    Messages:
    4,683
    I have a Tilley table lamp base with a few dents that need dealing with first. I tried the ice trick without success and even made a dollie to push the dent out from the inside but it didn't work. I've bought some Isopon P38 filler specially for the job.
     
  26. Alex Smith

    Alex Smith United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2019
    Messages:
    974
    Location:
    Central, UK
    Excellent, looking forwards to seeing the results.
     
  27. Alex74

    Alex74 United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2019
    Messages:
    516
    Location:
    Faringdon, Oxon
    I would have seriously tried putting a mantle on the air button....just to take an odd photo or two! But we’ll done for sorting it out. Looks fab.
     

Share This Page