Hello! So I was only supposed to buy one lantern and no more. Now I have both the first one and another which I am restoring. The thing is that I have gotten my eyes on a Tilley which I think looks nice, but I dont know anything about em. The model I have been looking after is a X246. Does anybody have an opinion about this lantern and how much CP does it have? In comparison I am restoring a Optimus 930 which has 350CP. Am not quite sure but do believe it is about the same height.
The earlly Tilley X246 (1940s to 1955) have the best founts. If you go to the Gallery you will see examples. Try and get a fount that is not stamped either with a date on the base or the brand on the side of the tank. Tilleys are relatively straightforward to fettle and get going, but the trick is almost always a good clean and replace the seals and washers, pump leather etc. There are plenty of illustrations of the parts in the Reference Library and old and new spare parts are available from The Base Camp; and washers etc from the Fettlebox. They are (allegedly) 300cpu. PM me if you want to discuss anything about them or keep this thread going.. I grew up with them and somehow they seem to be breeding and multiplying around my place without me noticing!
Thanks for the good answers Tony! The next question would probably be if there is an other model which is more suited for my use. Even if I am not aiming for it, this will end up as a collection of some sort. But my main use is for campingtrips where I actually use the lanterns for lighting. So then I wonder, which Tilley lantern is suited for such usage? There is also an issue of how to get the right model, perhaps I can find some Norwegian dealer who has one.
In my view you should go for the X246 that was made from around 1950 to 1955 (see here and similar on the Gallery site): X246 circa 1950 Make sure it has a tank that does not have stamped date or made in England or the brand stamped on it. Also, make sure it has the same handle and cage arrangement - not the later one. These early X246 Tilleys are often on eBay for a reasonable price. If you are really lucky you might find a "pork pie" Tilley like this: Pork Pie Tilley X246 But if you got one, for 'rough use' I would replace the hood with one of the later black ones a seen in the first link in this post, and keep the older hood for show. The later hood is more robust for general knocking around.
Think I will search for one of the Tilley mentioned. Perhaps I am lucky and get one from Ebay. Also found a Norwegian dealer who sells Tilley X246B-R and Vapalux M320. Guess they are produced in China and assembled in England? Are sold as brand new but cost a lot.
I have never had an X246B (the R means a red tank, I think). There are comments on this site that point to them being of poorer quality than the 40s and early 50s 246s. I use the current price of a 246 and the cost of spare parts as a guide to what I'm willing to pay for a reasonable old 246. Once you clean them up and get them running (sometimes a fiddle, but there is a lot of help on this site) they go forever.
The Vapalux 320 is currently produced in South Korea and reports suggest that it's at least as good as the former British versions. As you say, they're expensive (£180) and you might be better finding an army surplus one on eBay UK. There are loads to be had, often unfired and some at giveaway prices - there's no need to pay the £120 some sellers are asking. Tilley is a different matter. There do seem to be some quality issues which have been reported here and might point to the use of inferior Chinese parts assembled in England. Frankly, I wouldn't bother. Your mileage may vary...
That will be my next lantern on my wish list, the Vapalux 320 that is. Hopefully it will sell at a fair price some day as well. If all goes well, I will get to buy a pre-1960 Tilley 246 from Shed Man Steve. Gonna compare it with my Optimus 930 if I ever get it up and working again.
Only if I can sort you out a good one Kristian! And I will only ensure that it is working, so you can have the enjoyment of restoration (if you wish) to do yourself - Steve.
Hope it is not totally destroyed and abused like my 930, had to change everything on that one. As long as it holds pressure and perhaps dont make the mantle black, then I am happy. By the way, what is the difference between a 246 and a 246B? Or perhaps there is not any difference?
Firstly, these lanterns are X246 and X246B - there's also the X246A. The series began in 1946 with the X246 which had a square shouldered tank with a small dome in the centre (generally known by collectors as the 'pork-pie'). There are 3-4 versions of this one. It was superseded by the X246 'Guardsman' which had the conventionally shaped Tilley tank. There are about three versions of this one. The X246 Guardsman was superseded by the X246A in 1961 but this was mainly the previous Guardsman stamped X246A. In 1962 the X246A we're all familiar with arrived - this has cranked globe support legs which come out of the tank top at an angle. In 1964 the X246B appeared. This has the globe support legs welded to a circular plate which is held onto the tank top by a knurled nut. This model is still being assembled today. Hope that helps - they're all in the Reference Gallery...
Hum, I see some guardsman lamps are crossed over to X246A. What do they mean by having a flare? Is that a part of the lantern or something?
Kristian, You said "Hope it is not totally destroyed and abused like my 930, had to change everything on that one" Here are a couple of pics of the pre-1960 Tilley 246X that I can provide to you; and I will send more pics by E-mail tomorrow. I hope that this shows that it is "not totally destroyed, and that it is working like a good-un!" You will also get the spare mantle and preheater clip that you asked for. It's pretty good for a lamp that is over 70 years old. Steve. Steve.
Looks good to by me, was not expecting a wreck, but for that price you never know . I actually dont worry that much about the looks, it is more important that they work as I will use them on lots of trips. Is it possible to buy a spare top part somewhere?
Keep an eye open on E-Bay, the later black enamel version does come up for sale now and then, sometimes as new. Steve.
Kristian, Just to check: when I said "But if you got one, for 'rough use' I would replace the hood with one of the later black ones as seen in the first link in this post, and keep the older hood for show. The later hood is more robust for general knocking around." I meant that in relation to the earlier brass hood on the first versions of the 'pork pie' X246: the photo above from Steve shows the later, more robust hood (same as the black one but different colour) so you don't need to replace it for rough work, only aesthetics. Cheers
I would highly reccommend a good Bialaddin 315, we had those years ago, when I was in the local scout troop, and they are very robust and reliable. The Bialaddin/Vapalux 320 is a more modern version.
Thanks for the tip! Gonna check out the Bialaddin 315. At the moment I am so privileged to get a X246 pre 1960 in the mail and cant wait
