Hi All Earlier this year I bought a PL53 out from England. It had all the parts except the globe wire cage and a shade. Here is what it looked like before the fettle: Incidentally the globe that came with it looks to be the original one and bonus .... no cracks or chips. I have to say in general all the parts were in surprising good nick and I was able to confidently reuse them all. The font was first on the block, given the apparent solder mush on top of the font the soldered joint to the cock was cleaned and inspected for any leaks. None were visually evident and a quick pressure check and a dunk into water confirmed this. All the components of the lamp were stripped, cleaned and reassembled using new seals and washers. I did find that applying smear of silicone grease to the cock spindle seal helped its installation and it also appeased my engineering mind to think that the brass ferrel will slide over the compressing seal when being tightened and not graunching it ...... just a thought. The silicone grease I used was originally intended for chilled water or heating water control valve spindle seals. These control valves are used in air conditioning. The assembly of the parts, this photo was taken after a clear lacquer had been applied. I was able to reuse the vaporiser, I did the carbon clean bit, heat and quench etc., and it looks to be working as expected, only actual use will confirm it though. I eBay purchased a shade and the globe wire cage from our friends in England, they are very good well made copies of the originals and do fitted nicely. This is the finished fettled PL53. I'm very happy with it. First light has not happened yet, its like letting your daughter go out on her first date ........... I know I have to do it but ......... it will happen soon ......... promise Cheers Peter
Great stuff, Peter... Your bench is looking a bit too tidy. I think you'd better start on a new lantern. Cheers Tony
Hey Tony There is one on the go, a Kayen AP2, you maybe able to just see the font in the dim background of the PL53's first light photo above. Cheers Peter
