I've recently acquired a Vapalux 300x, but the fount has a crank. I plan on doing a repair on it to enable me to do a full restoration on it. I guess this is just one of those things that well all end up dealing with at some time or another. I'll keep you posted
@Gareth Shepherd That’s a doozy of a crack, quite bizarre. Usually cracks, stress cracks, run vertically up through the fount’s wall. Good luck with this one, please keep us posted on this one. Cheers Pete
It certainly is and most unusual for an early VAPALUX of any persuasion. @Gareth Shepherd ; have you formulated a plan of attack ? Henry.
You may pick up a few tips from the topic which is shown via the link below. AGM 256A stress crack fettle
Thanks for your replies. The plan of attach @Henry Plews is to strip it all back and check it all properly. Hopfully I wont find any more horrors! Tha is for the link @JEFF JOHNSON that's a very neat repair on the link you shared. I think I once I've stripped it all back, I'll end up doing a similar repair. I'll post more pics once it's been stripped down.
@Gareth Shepherd There are quite a few here that have saved lamps from the scrap heap by using the method shown in @JEFF JOHNSON 's link. Your lantern has an inverted base plate and the crack is very much in the vicinity of the top of it, so do make sure the inside of the tank is also scrupulously clean, you don't want contaminants seeping into the joint and spoiling the job. You may also wish to run some liquid flux e.g. Bakers Soldering Fluid around the (inside of the) affected area. This topic is totally unrelated but have a look about half way down where @Anthony has posted an image of the two ways in which base plates are fitted. The 'inverted' base plate is on the right and shows what you'll be dealing with. Steel Kopsen, Kayens variations Henry.
Thanks for the info @Henry Plews I've had a morning stripping the paint off the fount. Here are the results... That's the same crack from beginning to end. It only leaks air from one side of the first picture. So now I've seen the damage, the plan of attack is that similar to the link that @JEFF JOHNSON provided. Create a little groove along the crack, fill with solder and finish flush. I'll keep you posted, wish me luck
