Tilley Burners: Differing lengths

Discussion in 'Pressure Lamp Discussion Forum' started by Matty, Jun 6, 2016.

  1. Matty

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    G'day all,

    This may be simple to some but not me.

    I've just noticed I have a couple of burners that are longer than the standard Tilly burner.

    I thought perhaps the longer ones were Kayen but I don't think so.

    Did Tilley use a longer burner for Radiators or units other than lamps?

    Poor photos, night time here and I'm out patience. I think the photo is good enough to see the fairly decent difference.

    1465215130-twinburners.jpg
     

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  2. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    The older Tilley lamp burners are longer than the newer ones. Check the top of the burner dome to see whether it has a Tilley patent number.

    Tony
     
  3. Matty

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    Tony,

    I don't know when "newer" is.

    I don't have and never will have any 246B's. I do have some ML type lamps that are probably newer than the x246B. I only know the date of one of them and that is 1958.
     
  4. podbros

    podbros United Kingdom Subscriber

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    ....Hmmm.....That is quite a difference....

    ..Just measured a pre-war burner off a table lamp and the main body is 40mm long, or 1 and 9/16"....

    ...Is the diameter the same on those two?..... Could the larger one be off a doughnut type thing?

    pb
     
  5. Matty

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    I make it 40mm and 49mm

    Both have the same diameter.

    I only have one do-nut and neither of these burners came from it.
     
  6. podbros

    podbros United Kingdom Subscriber

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    ....Ok.....

    ...I have just been looking at the Lamp gallery and in the Kayen section there are some pictures of burners which might help you?

    ...Sorry i cant do a link but 2nd row down in the middle Mr. Press has put some pics of a handsome AP2 and if you scoll down you should see the burner comparisons?

    Edit...Its the first page

    pb
     
  7. Mackburner

    Mackburner United Kingdom RIP - Founder Member

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    Maybe these will help a little. I think there are probably some more variations out there but these are the three major types. ::Neil::

    1465221054-__Til_Burner_1930-1935.jpg

    1465221067-__Til_Burner_1935_to_1962.jpg

    1465221077-__Til_Burner_1962_to_now.jpg
     

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  8. Matty

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    Thanks PB and Neil.

    Neil, from your chart I'd say the longer ones I have must be from the 30's.

    It's funny how you don't notice something then it hits you between the eyes.
     
  9. Anthony

    Anthony Australia Subscriber

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    Neil, thanks for the great references.

    Was wondering if your data sheets like these would go in the Catalogues & Parts section.

    I see the section is used for paper work but there must be some where to keep them in the gallery.
     
  10. Mackburner

    Mackburner United Kingdom RIP - Founder Member

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    The middle image there is where you are likely to find variations in the length of the main casting and mixing tube.

    The top burner image is one to be careful with because of the way it is constructed. The nozzle does not screw out like the later types do but will only come out after the air tubes are removed and then it screws upwards through the casting. As these are always an older burner removing the air tubes is likely to damage the threads and render the burner useless. So if you ever come across a longer casting be sure to examine it carefully before you try to dismantle. Many years ago I destroyed one of these by attempting to remove the nozzle and I don't want to see anyone repeating my mistake. ::Neil::
     
  11. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Going back to this old conversation, I have a ~1935 Tilley EX 4 that I started working on.

    I was going to try to use the burner that came with the lantern, but it was wrecked by years of use, was and dysfunctional.

    I realised that I had never handled this variation of the Tilley 3-armed burner. So, in a conversation with @Anthony, he remembered Neil McRae’s photos in this thread.

    The burner from my EX4 has the spigot that is one piece with the inner tube of the burner, as in this photo of Neil’s (from above).

    Attachment.jpeg


    I decided to pull it apart for parts, and also to dissect the main part of the burner (the extended spigot was fused by corrosion to the rest of the burner).

    IMG_2870.jpeg

    IMG_2881.jpeg

    IMG_2882.jpeg

    IMG_2883.jpeg


    I’ll have to go through my spare burners to see whether I have one of the old ones, but I doubt I will.

    For completeness:

    IMG_2869.jpeg

    IMG_2871.jpeg

    IMG_2872.jpeg

    Note the “R” stamped (sideways) on the burner.
    IMG_2873.jpeg

    IMG_2876.jpeg


    For your information

    Tony
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2026 at 9:41 AM
  12. pete sav

    pete sav Founder Member

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    That is a very well used burner you have there tony
    Look how the nozzle holes have enlarged with constant use
    Cheers pete
     
  13. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Not just the nozzle holes, Pete. There were pin holes where the groove is to tie top string of the mantle.

    Cheers

    Tony

    @pete sav
     
  14. pete sav

    pete sav Founder Member

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    @Tony Press i have had a few like that over the years also tony makes you wonder how many running hours they have had to get in that state. The lamps that us collectors have now will never see that amount of use i suspect.
    Cheers pete
     
  15. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    You’re right, Pete.

    The vapouriser on the EX4 is much younger that the lantern. I wondered how many vapourisers it must have gone through over the years.


    Tony
     

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