Hello to all This is my first post and hopefully not the last! On clearing out my late father-in- law’s shed I came across a rather tatty looking lamp and almost binned it. But on second thoughts I had a closer look and underneath the messy white paint was brass! Thanks to your wonderful site I have found out it is a 1974 Tilley x246b, obtained spares, cleaned it up and am just waiting for some mantles to arrive. Then it’s down to the garden centre for paraffin. Wish me luck on firing it up - though with all the advice available it should go well - I hope! If I was to go for another lamp ( to fettle/ revive) what would be a good choice that had a good supply of spares available?
Nice job, you must be very pleased with her. Even better she has some family heritage, very nice. Re other lanterns, you might want to try a Bialaddin or vapalux as a starter. They are simple enough to fettle, and spares are widely available in the UK. Some advice given to me at the start of my "lantern" journey was pick a make and stick to it - however I've given that a good stiff ignoring and picked lanterns that take my fancy (Bialaddin, Coleman, Petromax, Vapalux and others are in my collection) . For me half the fun is learning how to fettle the different makes. Good luck with the first light, hope that goes well. I look forwards to seeing your further lantern adventures.
Thanks Alex! Sourcing another lamp will be the hardest part I think - I assume eBay/ gumtree etc but avoiding ‘antique’ shops etc?
Welcome from Queensland Australia. The Tilley and Bialaddin/Vapalux lantern would be good next set of lamps coz the parts would be easier to get from where you are. Also it’ll give you experience and by that time the lamp bug would have bitten deep. Then any lamp that takes you fancy, and as they say, “the more the merrier”. Coleman lantern and lamps are good lamps to try as well. Don’t forget your “money shot” (the photo of the lamp’s first light after a fettle). Enjoy Cheers Pete
Welcome to CPL @BrianM . Your Tilley has cleaned up nicely Regarding spares, good places to start At your service! - The Fettlebox , base-camp.co.uk , ebay.
Welcome to the forum. Your X246B has cleaned up nicely. You’ll find older Tilleys are better made. I’ve had some real bargains off gumtree. Otherwise, once you start looking, you’ll be amazed when and where lamps turn up. A year or so ago when I first got came here for some advice, I was warned about catching the bug, how two lamps will breed and so on. Can’t imagine life without them now! Good luck with your search and let’s see the money shot for the X246B once you’ve got your mantles.... Stevie
@BrianM sourcing potential lanterns isn't a problem, sometimes there can be too many to choose from! I've used ebay, facebook market place, army surplus shops, and antique shops to find mine. Others have found them at re-cycle centers, charity shops and many others. Happily they crop up all over the place. Happy hunting!
@Alex Smith and @Jean J In my case both inside and outside of the shed in gold leaf. But gold leaf wouldn’t go with the ruby door handle, too ostentatious me thinks. Cheers Pete
@BrianM There's no harm in looking on eBay, it'll give you an idea of current prices which could be handy if you come across a lamp at a car boot sale /stall at a vintage rally / secondhand shop. Sound advice from @Alex Smith and @paul m regarding choosing a lamp for which spares are readily available and useful links posted by @ROBBO55. Henry.
But gold leaf wouldn’t go with the ruby door handle, too ostentatious me thinks. I think your right Pete, get rid of the Ruby Door Handle....
Hi Brian ... lamp virus just around the corner har har .. ... yes it is addictive.. I get great satisfaction on looking around car boots and they can be a great source of lamps old and new tatty or not ... in fact only yesterday a trader had a a tray of lamps 5 tilleys 1 vapalux 1 Chinee anchor all in need of TLC and repairable £20 each .. or I could take all of em for £60 .. little red devil on my shoulder go on go on .. but I have too many .. I walked on but well there is E bay . Gumtree ... and well facebook marketplace .. I sourced 2 Tilley 246 ,s for £20 delivered whilst at my daughters in Cornwall . FB marketplace pretty good,and there are curio antique dealers , some people place ads in the press looking for lamps etc with great success .... well it is all part of the rich tapestry of life as they say ...good luck m8tey ... great advice on her for your new hobby.
@Digout Yeah, you're right. I'll change it for a platinum one, in a brush finish, less gaudy and it won't rust.
