From Bill Parker **

A) The magnetic reservoir opener can get a bit sticky if it hasn't been used for some time. I found that (not very) gently banging the lamp whilst wriggling a magnet around eventually got it to give.

B) Talking of magnets, the strongest and cheapest I could find came from some beat up old computer disk drives - they each contain two very powerful rare earth magnets - it's well worth attending a boot sale to pick up some ancient 10Gb HDD drives or similar ancient stuff from the nearest computer geek. Be warned however, they are a bit brittle (it's only the chrome covering that keeps 'em together) and they are slippery little brutes. Once stuck to a flat sheet of metal, they're prob'ly going to stay there! :-

Further to previous discussions on flints for miner's lamp strikers, I have found that the Dunhill lighter flints appear to be slightly larger in diameter than the usual lighter flints.  While more expensive than the standard Ronson flints, I do seem to be obtaining a massive spark with them.  I am led to believe that these are the flints that are being repackaged as genuine parts and  sold at ridiculous prices! These Dunhill flints are readily available on Ebay.

See rest of email

I use standard lighter flints that you can get in a tobacconist, they are slightly smaller diameter, but work perfectly well. I will see if I can get some genuine ones as I do some work with a couple of local mines here.

Brian Robinson. Breathing Apparatus and Rescue Consultant

I have a type 6 in my possession and although I can remove the bottom and get to the wick and to fill it if I wished but I can't figure out how to re-new the flint. Is there some way of removing the glass? If not how do I get to the flint housing?

Thanks for any help you may give.

Eric Jessop

Hi. Could you help me please?

I am trying to open an Eccles No 6 M & Q It's just that I am wanting to clean it. I used to know but iv forgotten. I hope you can find time to help.

My Dad was a miner and proud of it, my mams uncles sank the shaft at Dawdon pit, and both were killed. So as you can see I have history too.

Many thanks
Kevin Shaw

Thank you for your super help and prompt reply. I will try it tomorrow and get back to you. Once again.

Aw, I'm impatient, I've tried it now and just as you said. Hey Presto.
Thank you so much.
The wonder of the Internet.
Thank you

Kevin

Brian Robinson 22 October 2008 17:39 Protector safety lamp - Flint Renewal

Greetings Eric and Kevin, Fionn has posed your problem to me.

In case you havn't managed to do it yet, I'll go through it step by step, I'm away from home without a flame lamp but from memory should be ok.

a.. If its a straight type 6, it should not have a magnetic lock holding the base on (where the fuel goes in), unscrew this.

b.. around the glass where the bars are, there are 2 bars close together, one is a locking bar, you should now be able to slide one down through a hole below the glass, this then unlocks the bonnet (top portion)

c.. once the bar is down, grasp around the glass portion with one hand, bonnet with other hand, and screw anti clockwise until the bonnet comes off.

d.. there should be 2 gauzes in the bonnet, a washer on top of the glass (be careful, these washers are asbestos), and simply take the glass upwards.

e.. The flint is in the protrusion, this is a screw cap with a spring in it. Unscrew the cap, take out the spring, flint in, spring in, screw cap back on, and reverse the procedure.

f.. allow around 2 hours after putting fuel in before trying to light it, Ronson lighter fuel is fine.

If you have any problem just email me again and I'll do pictures to help.

Regards
Brian Robinson. Breathing Apparatus and Rescue Consultant