Been trying to identify this... looks like a Radius? I rather like it, dunno why. Only problem is that the pricker is U/S. I'll need to either repair it or get a replacement (hen's teeth?). Shall I enter the arcane world of pricker-fix?
Oooh yes they're SO similar, maybe it's an Aladdin. Strange that there's no branding on it. (Not that I can see anyway). What should I do about the pricker? I have 008" guitar strings, but maybe that's a thou or two too big.
@Julian Whittaker Late model Aladdin 1A have a decal on the tank that can disappear through use, cleaning etc. Can you photograph the whole pricker rod and pricker, and the pricker itself in more detail, please? Also, can you upload the photos directly using the "Upload a File" button rather than posting 3rd-party hosted images (otherwise you photos will eventually disappear)? Cheers Tony
Here's a pic. The pricker end (about 25mm long total, -about 20mm showing in pic), has a very fine thread, so it can be unscrewed and removed. And obviously the fine wire needs to be present, which it isn't. (Apologies, I never notice the 'Upload a file' box on the right lower- I just 'see' the other icons along the top).
That looks like a homemade pricker wire. In my A1 the wire just screws into the rod and doesn't look anything like the above.
Well, there's no evidence at all of 'home-made' alterations. All looks pretty unbodged under the magnifier. You say the "wire just screws in..." -Do you mean the wire holder section screws into...etc? Mine screws in, it's just missing the actual pricker wire right in the end.
In about hour I will photograph a stock standard Aladdin 1A pricker rod and pricker with measurements for your delectation. In the meantime the stock standard Aladdin 1A pricker setup looks like this: Tony
You say the "wire just screws in..." -Do you mean the wire holder section screws into...etc? Mine screws in, it's just missing the actual pricker wire right in the end.[/QUOTE] My thinking was the wire holder in your photo was used as the pricker wire because the end looks so sharp. I thought the previous owner had simply improvised a wire.
The measurements are to the tip of the needle (when appropriate). Note that the needle units and the rods they screw into will vary in length due to suppliers etc, hence the threaded base and locking nut on the pricker rod to adjust the total length. Tony
Julian, The pump is in the wrong place for a Radius 119. It would more in the side of the tank. The Aladdin 1A is more in the top of the tank, as is yours. The pricker rod to pricker is braised onto the pricker rod. On a Radius 119 it is only screwed on. On the Aladdin the brass section of the pricker is 25mm long where the Radius is 22mm long. The thread on the Aladdin 1A pricker is 9BA TW Sands use to sell prickers for the Aladdin
Associated kerosene and lamps may still have them www.oillamps.com.au Very good to deal with , bought a few in my time
I'd really like to fix this Aladdin 1A (now I know what it is!) Are there any clues as to how I could repair the pricker wire? or isn't that an option? I wonder if a banjo high G or 12 string git 0.08 high G string would do it -Soldered into a brass tube. Wonder what the jet drilling is... I'll try TW Sands anyway.
You need a 0.18mm wire. I don't know what that works out to in guitar/banjo strings. I use stainless steel acupuncture needles.
That works out to .007" - that's finer than banjo or guitar strings. I wonder about mandolin strings... Naah.
You need to split the brass pricker where the old wire is fitted, get rid of the old wire fit the new wire and either crimp or braze in place. Or, fit the wire into brass tubing of the correct diameter (by crimping) the cut the top of the old pricker fitting and braze the new pricker on.It’s much easier to buy a new pricker… Also… some time this morning I’ll measure the diameter of the pricker so you’ve got a more accurate measure. Tony
THX Tony, I might play guitar strings! That thread on the top would be impossible. I think my best bet is to fabricate a new top incorporating guitar string. How critical is the jet size I wonder? The hole is almost invisible it's that small.
Exceedingly critical. Information I have says 0.20mm for 300 cp., 0.23mm (a mere 0.03 larger) for 400cp, 0.25mm for 500cp. It doesn't take much for a jet to be "oversized" thus causing the lamp to burn rich.
@Julian Whittaker @Henry Plews @ROBBO55 INTERESTING! I’ve just measured the pricker wires on new Aladdin prickers made by TW Sands and NOS Radius 119 prickers, and found out something very interesting: 1. The Radius pricker wire is 0.18 or 0.19mm (depending on stock) and WILL NOT fit NOS Aladdin 1A jets (too big). 2. The pricker wire on the TW Sands Aladdin 1A prickers is 0.15m and fit the jet. I’ll have to dig out a Radius 119 and check its jet. Cheers Tony
Yes very interesting. I've sanded an 0.010" E string down so it fits onto the jet - just protrudes, so now to do some very careful measuring, (I will buy one from TW Sands if they have one anyway) but I'm still going to try to fabricate one, just for my own satisfaction. Making a 'holder' (that top 1") will be very challenging I think, more cogitation! Thanks lads.
Julian, The pricker wire I use is 0.15mm (0.006") dia I have used these tubes to make replacements for Aladdin 1A 2mm dia with wall thickness 0.45mm The 1 mm dia tube slides into the 2mm to reduce the centre diameter to approx 0.4mm. If you want to reduce further use a 27 gauge hypodermic needle inside the 1mm. To start and keep the taping running true I mount the 2mm brass rod in a drill press and lay the die flat on the bed. I then turn the chuck by hand. The thread on the Aladdin 1A pricker is 9BA Also have a look at this post Veritas - Generator’s Pricker Replacement
Here's my plan. (I don't have those very small BA dies, plenty down to about 6BA but no smaller). Miraculously I have some very small brass tube in stock - thanks to a lifetime aeromodelling. I'll soft solder a short length of this tubing into the vertical wotsistsname- fits perfectly then cut the guitar string to length so it slides into the tube. Only thing is whether to attempt soft solder it in or try to crimp it. Or both. I realise soft solder won't adhere to SS git string, but it should hold it in there. I would fill the tube then slip the string into it to the right length. Unless you have better ideas? I'm having trouble adding an image -I've attached the file but it doesn't preview... But anyway... See pic below A & B are brass tubing and the old broken pricker, the rest is self explainitory hopefully
Man that's annoying!!! Twenty minutes I'll never get back - editing the post to explain, only to be told - right at the end, that 30 minutes has expired so the edit can't take place. Grrr!
Hmm I'm concerned about putting enough heat into those fine parts enough for brazing or silver soldering. I can try though.
