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Thread: Metal cage

  1. #1
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    Default Metal cage

    Hi All I have a couple of antique pressure lanterns from the 1920's . These lanterns typically have a mica globe, the later lanterns usually have a tempered glass globe. The mica globe consists of sheets of thin mica held in a metal cage , the original globes are usually pretty stuffed as you would imagine . Am thinking of making a new globe , the replacement mica sheets are available but not sure about the metal framework. The frame is made from a thin steel ? which is folded over into a U shape to accept the mica sheet. Only thing i can think of is to buy a roll of thin metal flashing and cut it to size and fold it into strips, the original gauge is around .3mm . The heat generated is rather intense , ideally a rust resistant steel would be most suitable, maybe stainless. But is it available in thin gauges ?
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  2. #2
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    Hi Morrisman,

    I've seen stainless steel shim material of various gauges in sheet and rolls, usually about a meter long. You probably would have to spotweld the joints rather than braze them.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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    Default globe

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Hi Morrisman,

    I've seen stainless steel shim material of various gauges in sheet and rolls, usually about a meter long. You probably would have to spotweld the joints rather than braze them.
    Thanks for the suggestion. The original globe is apparently held together with crimping only, it is pretty crude . I will disassmble the globe and have a better look.

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    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Default

    Clothes dryer drum is 0.5 mm

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    Hi morrisman,

    Are you wanting to keep the lamp as original as possible with a new mica globe?

    Kero lamps and stoves have become a bit of an obsession of mine, I just picked up another 2 yesterday in need of restoration, an early Aladdin 1A and a Coleman 639 from the 1970's that I repaired and fired up tonight.

    I also have an nice Tilley x246 to repair, the globe is busted but I have a lead on a replacement to chase up.

    Here's a couple of pics of the lamps I have, just don't get me started on the kero stoves and blow lamps

    DSC_0844.jpgDSC_0852.jpgDSC_0806.jpgDSC_0845.jpg

    Ben

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    Default lanterns

    Hi Ben

    I think I spotted you over on the classic Lanterns forum ? Those are neat lanterns you have . Yes it can become an obessive hobby . Replacement mica globes are available from the USA ( Fred Kunz ) but I'd rather make my own if it is possible to do such a thing. BTW Mr Coleman didn't like kero as a lantern/stove fuel, he reckoned white spirits , basically unleaded petrol was better.

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    Yes, that was me you spotted, they're a helpful bunch of blokes on the classic lantern forum.

    I'm not sure I'm game enough to try burning petrol in my Coleman, the price of kero could change my opinion though, it might be time to make friends with a pilot so I can get a supply of aviation fuel

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    Hi Guys,

    Re using petrol in your "Coleman", I wonder if the additives in it would cause any problems ? such as smoke or vapour that would fog the mica window.
    Maybe this is why "White Spirits" could be preferred.

    Morrisman: You say that the cage is only held together by crimping, I've never looked at one of these lamps, is that how the mica window is held in place ?
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  9. #9
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    Default kero

    Quote Originally Posted by NedsHead View Post
    Yes, that was me you spotted, they're a helpful bunch of blokes on the classic lantern forum.

    I'm not sure I'm game enough to try burning petrol in my Coleman, the price of kero could change my opinion though, it might be time to make friends with a pilot so I can get a supply of aviation fuel
    Yes apparently Jet A1 fuel or whatever it is called makes great lantern fuel. Some mix in 10% of shellite or coleman fuel to add a little more light output. Not heard good reports about the DIGGERS brand kero (sold at ridiculously exhorbitant prices) that the hardware stores sell, I think it is refined offshore somewhere, like Indonesia. Some of us are old enough to recall the kero bowsers to be seen at most of the petrol stations. BP were refining kero at their W.A. refinery but I am not sure if that's still in operation.

    Any friendly Jet aircraft operators out there ?

    Shellite is basically similar to unleaded petrol AKA Coleman fuel and many other names depending on where you live. I was at a camping ground in Tassie and a camper lit up a small portable pressure stove running on petrol, I sort of turned around and briskly walked away waiting for the explosion but he said to me later on it ran without any issues .

    "Morrisman: You say that the cage is only held together by crimping, I've never looked at one of these lamps, is that how the mica window is held in place ?"

    It appears to be held together without any rivets screws or brazing/soldering . Only fasterners I can see are two bifuricated rivets that hold the ends together thus making a round rather than a flat frame. Yes the petrol we use in our cars does tend to gum/clog up the vapouriser in a Coleman lantern , I guess it means a shorter life span for the vaporiser. BTW the kero fueled lanterns ( Tilley ) normally have a little metho heater that is filled with metho , this heats up the vaporiser .

  10. #10
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    I have been considering using methanol in my kerosene lamps/stoves, I can get methanol for $2 per ltr, which is about half what I'm paying for kero and is less volatile than petrol.

    I have a couple litres of methanol around here somewhere, might give it a try in the kero stove the next time I'm feeling game

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by NedsHead View Post
    I have been considering using methanol in my kerosene lamps/stoves, I can get methanol for $2 per ltr, which is about half what I'm paying for kero and is less volatile than petrol.

    I have a couple litres of methanol around here somewhere, might give it a try in the kero stove the next time I'm feeling game
    Don't know about methanol, sounds a little iffy. Somebody tried citronella oil and it did perform OK but in the long term I think it would clog up the tiny vaporiser jet. The problem with petrol and its various forms as a lantern or stove fuel is, if there is a leak of any kind, particularly vapour , it can turn the lantern into a dangerous fireball ( just ask the Petromax owners about it ! ) . Although most of the Coleman lanterns were designed for Coleman fuel , Coleman also made kero powered lanterns too as you have one .

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    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    Yes it can become an obessive hobby .
    More like an illness

    Phil
    Pressure lamps.jpg

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    Ah Tillies all in a line. The lantern on the near end appears to be a KAYEN, these have a interesting history . Basically they are a copy of a prewar Tilley, KAYEN were made by Kopsen in Sydney and Nettlefolds in Melbourne ( Highett ) during the mid to late 1940's , these companies apparently got a license from Tilley to produce the Tilley EX100 or PL 53 ? model here in Aust.

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    Nice array of Lamps from times gone by, thanks for starting this thread . What amazes me is that all the by-products of petrol were a lot cheaper, now they are more expensive than the petrol that they came from!!!
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

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    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    The lantern on the near end appears to be a KAYEN, these have a interesting history .
    Spot on. A nice little KAYEN EX100 from Nettlefolds In Melbourne.

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