After a bit of advise from the knowledgeable ones Just picked up a 300X, the hood / burner seems stuck on the vaporiser, I have removed the carry handle (I have an M305 so know about the side nuts), but the hood doesn't move , I assume its fused to the vaporiser, theres noting I'm missing about the 300X too get the top off is there
hmm.. sometimes the top end of the vapouriser swells but it could just be rust if you can undo the air buttons you may be able to lift off the hood to get at things better if you can find a good fitting screwdriver to fit the holes that can help too
Good shout, as much as the glass is cracked I didnt want to destroy it to get at the Vap, because of the handle mounts you cant spin the hood like on a Tilley
So restoration done , had to get the air tube nuts V hot to separate it from the hood for cleaning decided to leave the tank with its heritage , but did work on the brass glass holder , pictured running the M305 hood as this had a mantle already fitted Original burner and hood have been flame tested and all works well Another one saved
On these, the weak spot is the annealed rim around the tank base. They crack at 90° sometimes and I've had two out of a batch of 5 I bought completely unusable and nothing less than scrap. Great restoration there btw
Yes. I've had two recently that leaked like a sieve from several cracks around the base. They start at the bottom of the rim and extend upwards into the fount - apparently due to inadequate annealing of the materials in that area. You're probably more clued up on that process than me, but it started with the introduction of the 300X and extended into 305 production. I think by the time the 310 was introduced they had remedied the problems and improved production. I have a 305 tank also that has no less than 8 cracks around the rim.
Wow All of this is new to me , bought my first Bialaddin about a month ago Just picked up my 3rd , a rough 310 to add to the 300X and M305
It's a lottery on which ones will do it of course, I've a couple or more 300X's that are fine, but I generally buy the earlier ones with the brass hood and then swap the tanks over for 315 versions. I've never had a 310, I only really like the early, steel tank Vapalux 300, or much later 320.
Just working my way through the numbers , 300X, M305 , so had to be a 310 next Looking for a nice early brass hood 300 at sensible money
If you've got a bit of spare cash, it's a good time to buy now in such depressed economic times. I paid £140 this time last year for a good, steel tank 1942 military Vapalux 300. That was maybe par for the course or a tenner or two, too much - but now for sure I've seen reasonable, complete ones gor for just under a ton.
