The other day I was given this AL21. It is a bit worse for wear with bits missing and quite bad rust on the mid section of the body. I am going to get the midsection re-made by a fabricator friend. However I think it will be a real mission finding parts so I can bring this beauty back to life. The handle especially is proving difficult to find as is the bottom catch. So any suggestions would be helpful. I am also unsure where this broken bracket goes precisely so if anyone has a parts manual I would appreciate a copy too. As you can see from the next photo, the reflector is quire degraded and corroded - any suggestions? It appears to be copper with nickel plating - is that correct? As usual, I am very open to advice from my betters! Ian
Hi Kiwian The work on the front house is hard but cheap work and here is some inspiration: http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/3859 The reflector is also possible to rechrome using a homechroming-kit. There was a fantastic topic about it here on CPL leaving a fine result but unfortunately I cant find it. It was also a FL6 getting its reflector rechromed. If the AL21 is hard to get where you live then I understand though it also could be sport for you restoring this former noble lamp Claus C
Maybe [url=http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/4598 is the thread your referring to Claus Have a go Ian, some people surprise themselves with what they can achieve when they put their mind to it
Hello Kiwian, it would be great if could source the parts and have your friend remake the mid section of the body. It is so satisfying, when you restore a item that is in such a state most would class as beyond repair, I personally much prefer to restore than to cannibalise for parts, but if things don't go well or it gets to expensive I would go with Jeff and find another and use as parts. Good luck with your AL21 and keep us posted I will look forward to see the lamp up and running
I am gutted. I thought I had found a handle and the associated heat guard for this AL 21 on the Bay but alas out-bid. The collection of parts went for a huge amount - can't figure out how anyone would justify paying that amount really. If anyone knows where one is laying around I would appreciate the heads-up. Happy to pay a reasonable amount. :::Ian:::
Un lucky Ian, that is the trouble these lamps and stoves the price has shot right up. I remember a good few years back, you would have paid next to nothing for a lamp like yours at a boot sale. There as lot more of us collectors out there now and the old barn finds are getting fewer. What i have noticed on the bay, I have seen a good few stoves lanterns and blowlamps etc at buy it now for not cheap but not over priced, yet they have been on the bay for days, yet I have seen similar items there were being bid on go for far more lol, in many ways it is best to buy it on buy it now even though it is not quite a bargain, as your more likely to pay more on auction
This is not as old as the one for which I sent you the instructions. Yours is third in sequence and will have a valve/pricker like all 50s lamps. It will also lack the pressure release which was a feature of the first type. ::Neil::
Neil.. So the vapouriser is different? Is this why the wire cannot be removed from the tube? it seems to be stuck half way out.
At a guess, around 99.9% of Tilley production used either the 169 (7") or 606 (5") vapourisers. The exceptions were the stoves, the leak detectors and the irons. Also some 500cp donuts used the 301 vapouriser. The AL21 used the 606 vapouriser and that's what will be fitted to your model. The pricker wire will be stuck because of carbon build-up inside the vapouriser. You could put the end of the pricker wire in a vice and work the vapouriser backwards and forwards. With a bit of tugging, the wire will come out eventually. It's unlikely you'll do any damage to the vapouriser because it's probably at the end of it's working life already. Replacements are easy to find so it's probably the least of your worries given the state of a good bit of the rest of the lamp...
Thanks for the input everyone. I have deconstructed the lamp reasonably successfully. The brass screws did come free after an overnight drenching in penetrating oil but will still need replacing as they are somewhat burred. The reflector is not in good state. There are two dents in it - one right in the centre (which might cause problems unless I can get it out) and the other near the side. However, the biggest issue is a deep scratch which might be the end of trying to salvage it yet. If I can solve these issues I am not going to have a crack at plating it myself after reading that article. The glass is perfect and as is the brass holding ring. The outer ring and the rear tank housing are both in quite good condition so feeling positive there.
