This went up on gumtree a while back and they only posted the first pic. I took it for a cut 'n' shut or frankie, but then it was relisted with the second picture... Anyone encountered one?
...Hi... ...No never seen one in the flesh/tin but think there is some paperwork for these in the reference section here?...... Regards, pb
FL6 tripods have two angled uprights each side to cope with the weight of a full tank of fuel and are rather more heavily-engineered overall, with three leg sections IIRC...
Those FL6 tripods are very heavy, cumbersome and difficult to set up. Do you light the FL6 on the short tripod and then try to extend the legs one at a time, one section at a time if you're on your own. Or do you get two mates to help you raise the three legs together one section at a time. Otherwise, you can erect the tripod itself, light the lamp on the ground and then try to fit it onto the tripod but you'll need a stepladder to do that. Maybe you erect the tripod, fit the lamp to it using the stepladder and then light it while you're standing up the steps. Then repeat this for refuelling, pumping up or pricking. It's nuts. How those single spike stands (SS1) for the FL6 were meant to work, I've no idea and my mind boggles at the instability of the whole thing...
Anywhere I'd be using it I'd have a few handy, fit young chaps to do that sort of thing... Which probably sounds unnecessarily dodgy.
frg7700, Before I traded it for the genuine article, I had a tripod like the one you show. Granted, I did have the correct bracket for an FL6 and the whole thing worked well. At first, I was a little unsure about the relatively light weight of the tripod and also the effectiveness of the screws which hold the leg extensions at whatever height as required. I needn't have worried, even with a full tank and legs at full stretch, the tripod was sturdy enough. Start with the legs as short as they'll go, attach the lamp and light it. When it's burning well and fully pressurized, just slacken a screw, extend a leg about a foot (300 mm) or so, tighten the screw and do the other legs the same way until you've reached the desired height. Speaking from experience, it's much easier than having to line-up holes for pins as on the correct FL6 stand. And easier to get the lamp level when on uneven ground too. Henry.
I think Tilley must have changed the design of the tripod during its lifetime. I'm sure some of mine have a sliding leg system for the lowest section which allows the adjustment for uneven ground. IIRC, the upper sections are still a 'pin in hole' arrangement as Henry suggests. By the time I've got the lamp, fuel and tripod where I want them to be then lit and erected, I'm whacked and need to go and lie-down. I'd need a tea-break at least before I could do any work. A complete pain in the fundament...
