Testing out an old-school oil lantern.

The newer ones are ones I built using parts from Lehmans to complete older fonts that I bought at a flea market. Like these:

2m3fqqf.png


As you can see, they have no fill caps. But they are thick glass and have good capacity for oil. I added burners, collars and globes from Lehmans, and wicks of course. The dual wick model they show is interesting though. These mimic mid-20th century lamps.
 
I used to be concerned about the fount crimp leaking oil. But then I looked up the FAQs on the Kirkman Lanterns site, and question 9 relates to how to address a leaking fount. For rusted tanks they recommend gas tank sealer. For crimp leaks they recommend exterior grade marine spar finish.

Now to me, that means that even the good lanterns can develop leaks like the cheap ones. So for the time being, unless I come across new information, I think I'm going to stop worrying about my cheap lanterns, and just invest in those two compounds should a leak develop.
 
My only experience is with cold blast lanterns. I'm afraid I don't know how to operate the hot blast variant.

In other news my little knockoff lantern has been holding its oil for three days and the fount crimp is as dry as a bone. So far so good.
 
Nearly a week of continuous fill status, and nary a leak. I think it's safe to call this lantern a good one.

Time to get another one.
 
This is a good thread . I have a small lantern like the metal one Les Snyder posted here . It's made in Germany but it's an orange color and I'm sure that's it's original color . I forget the name on it and it's snowing sideways here today , so I'm not going out to the shed to find out lol .

But while we're on the subject of lanterns I do have a question . I used that little lantern for years while car camping with my family and it always worked great until the last couple of times when it seemed to just burn up the wick . It that because maybe I had left it dry too long and the wick didn't soak up the fuel enough before using it or what ?


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HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
Hey , for anyone interested , I just did a FEUERHAND lantern search on the big auction site and there are quite a few brand new from Germany listed with very reasonable shipping .

So they ARE available if someone is looking for a good lantern . For the record , I have NO connection to any of them . Just a couple of people mentioned they'd like to know where to get one so when I saw them I thought I'd post it here .


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HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
Mike-

No idea what the matter is with your wick. Get another one, let it soak for a good while in your oil of choice, trim up the end you're going to burn so it's well maintained, and give it another try.

Keep in mind not all wicks are created equal.
 
Mike-The-Knife said:
This is a good thread . I have a small lantern like the metal one Les Snyder posted here . It's made in Germany but it's an orange color and I'm sure that's it's original color . I forget the name on it and it's snowing sideways here today , so I'm not going out to the shed to find out lol .

But while we're on the subject of lanterns I do have a question . I used that little lantern for years while car camping with my family and it always worked great until the last couple of times when it seemed to just burn up the wick . It that because maybe I had left it dry too long and the wick didn't soak up the fuel enough before using it or what ?


...............................................
HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
Click to expand...

Replace the wick with a fresh one. They can get clogged with laquer from sitting in old fuel for years on end. And reduce their ability to wick fuel so that you burn wick instead of fuel. Be sure to get the right width. Some old hardware stores stock them but as mentioned above, I just buy a pack from Lehmans and done. Kept dry and clean the spares will last a long time. Clean out the fuel tank and refill with fresh fuel while you are at it, and clean the globe inside and out. If it is bad sooty, vinegar on a cloth. If not, just wipe and polish with newspaper.
 
Thanks guys , will do . It's a great little lantern and I'd like to have it working right again .


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HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
Codger_64 said:
The newer ones are ones I built using parts from Lehmans to complete older fonts that I bought at a flea market. Like these:

2m3fqqf.png
Click to expand...

I have a matched set like that, vintage, from my grandmother. Her's have handles on the sides, which I rarely see. She always kept them filled with a red colored oil.
 
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