Hi Guys Got three scrappers 2 Guardsmen and a X246B and thought maybe I could make one functional lamp out of them. Its my first time to work on a Guardsman so I'm in uncharted territory. On close examination there was a difference in the height of the Vapes. So question one... does size matter. Are there different size vapes for different models of these ? Question 2 ....If I heat the tank to straighten out this ding could the heat damage the pressure nipple. How does the nipple work and are there any meltable parts in it. There is no burner in the gold one, but the hood is as new. Could anyone steer me in the direction of pressure nipple topics. Thanks in advance guys
Hi @Paul Burnell There are two main vapourisers for lamps and heaters a 606 (approx 5”) and a 169 (approx 7”) The standard one for the guardsman and the x246 series is the 606 They did fit the longer 169 to a British Rail version but it had extensions on the cage to raise it up. The pressure indicator is soldered into the tank and is also soldered together The threaded fitting for the cage is also soldered but not such a prob as it is bolted/screwed as well The pressure indicator might fall into the tank if the heat reaches it? @Henry Plews p.s. there are threads where folks have used the expansion of ice freezing to take dents out? Other folks have used water pressure?
Thanks Podbros, for the info on the types of vape for these lamps. Since the cage doesn't have the extensions that you mentioned it is now obvious that the 169 is an OOPA.. or an "out of place artifact" I will also have to research dent removal without heat in order not to bugger up the pressure indicator.... Paul
Heat or ice can certainly damage the pressure tit. I would bent the leg a little so that the cage is in the right position and leave the tank dent as a "battle scar".
Looks like you have all your answers you need, good luck mate. Tilley lamps are very easy to fettle. Congratulations.
I love the concept of battle scars and patina, it shows it has history. But there is also a place for nicely polished and pimped lamps. I think that this is a case for the battle scar scenario... I have nothing to lose as this is a scrapper, and was acquired for parts.
I read those threads that you showed me, they were very interesting, thanks. None mentioned the act of freezing damaging the pressure indicator. This is what I love about this site, people are always happy to share their knowledge and experience
The only other thing I can think is if you do try to straighten it then it will probably leak from that part. This isn’t a big problem as gentle heat + some solder/flux will fix. I have always found that everything needs to be clean/oil free when soldering so i would strip off the paint, at least around that area.. The other guardsman you showed looks great hours of fun… :-)
@Paul Burnell a couple of images showing the anatomy of the tank from a Tilley X246A. The studs for the cage legs are the same as for a X246 Guardsman, just in a slightly different place. You can see that the components were put in and sealed with solder before the base plate was fitted. The boss for the filler / pump has a collar so can't blow out should the solder fail for any reason but it can fall into the tank if the solder is melted. The same goes for the pressure indicator as mentioned by @podbros. Here you can see the bottom half of the "bellows" part of the pressure indicator, it is thinner and more flexible than the top part. What you can't see is the pin that is soldered to the bottom part. As the pressure inside the tank increases, the bottom part flexes and the pin rises. With sufficient pressure the top of the pin will become level with the boss.
Hi Henry A picture paints a thousand words...this could be described to me ad infinitum and still never understand the amount of solder that could fail with heat... I now understand that heat is NOT the way to go... Thanks for the pics
Hi Wimve Great pic, I had no idea how these work. Is there a link on how to restore these if they fail. Thanks
Hi Wimve I love the cut away display .... It takes the mystery out of it, and I get to see exactly what I'm dealing with.. Thank
I have never seen one being repaired, and I think while nothing is impossible, getting to it and then fixing the tank afterwards might not be possible for many. However sometimes they do get very dirty or even get paint in them at the external part so some cleaning/oiling can get them working better. Tilley did discontinue them on the x246b - maybe as they were not too reliable as well as adding cost and complexity ?
The pressure indicator does not have any complicated mechanisms which might reduce reliability. It appears rugged or pretty robust with only a metal diaphragm/bellow, a spring and pin assembled and housed within in a straight-line construction. I'd be more inclined to believe that the discontinuation of the pressure indicator on the X246B might have been one of the outcomes in an effort to reduce production costs. I wouldn't know exactly what the company's situation had been like in England during the early 1960s. I suppose it might also be quite likely that the overall cost of production was considerably lower in Belfast as compared to what was possible in Hendon, Cricklewood or Colindale back then?
Hi Fireexit Why they designed the nipple to lie horizontal, allowing all sorts of fluff and grit to gather in the opening I will never know. Although my belly button lies vertically, and it still gathers fluff and stuff.
Hi MYN You are right about it being a simple enough device. This leads me to think a squirt of WD40 might just do the trick. Thanks
Delighted with myself .... got both X246's up and running. Had to cannibalize the X246B but it was worth it since the tank was blown anyway. I'm a happy camper. The dent was easily sorted by covering the cage lug with a socket and screwdriver type ratchet for leverage. The cage was straightened by eye. It might not be perfectly plump or square, but it now works and is usable. Just missing the glass.
Finally, the x246 pressed into service. The weather was mild enough last to sit out and enjoy a beverage or two...... I went with the battle scar effect and the patina is quite nice. I like it. Thanks for all the advice guys.
Lovely! If you ask me, that's what we do this for... a lantern, a few beers and the gentle hiss as it works its magic!
