Hello All and a fine Sunday afternoon to you. Quick question.... I recently picked up a very little used Bialaddin 315 whose hood is immaculate. Now, I understand the concept of the shelf queen and also appreciate the fact that as collectors, we are also preserving these items so that they can survive and tell their stories into the future. I have enjoyed firing up this nice lamp amongst all the others and my question is this...... If I periodically use a lamp with a really, really clean enamel hood, indoors, for a few hours at a time, will the enamel still chip and fail (like most of my others) or is it exposure to the elements that causes it to become brittle etc?? I have used hoods that I can sub for clean ones but I can't help wanting to use my lamps as they are ie as complete items. Maybe a silly question but I reckon we will have a few differing opinions!
I don't think using it occasionally will hurt the enamel most of the damaged that we see have chips from impacts then damp gets under the enamel Then rust cracks n flaking off occurs Nice lamp in great condition you have too Pete
Having done a bit of hood enamelling with a blowtorch, and witnessed the effect of heating and cooling of enamels on their bond to underlying metal, even when it’s sound and not rusted, I suspect there’s always a posibility that cracks in the enamel can develop and subsequently flakes of enamel detach themselves. I’m referring here to normal heating/cooling cycles of a lantern even without the detrimental impact of rain and water ingress. The enamelling process on a very damaged hood. John
I defer to others on the chances of it cracking. My point would be hoods in this condition are scarce and how would you feel if it does crack or chip. A bit like running an old Tilley with a teardrop globe. Is it worth the risk or best to use a substitute globe (or in this case a substitute hood). I wouldn't chance it; too nice a hood.
@presscall @pete sav @Sedgman , thanks for your input. I more regularly run an identical but more worn 315 and that will now be the runner going forward. The pictured is a lovely lamp, hadn't been used for many moons and then fired up with minimal fuss. She will indeed be a shelf queen now. As you say, water etc may not be the culprit, merely just use and the extreme heat and quick cool. Not worth the risk. Thx all.
