Beautiful work. That popping noise is acetylene escaping around the tip because it's not fully seated. Put a small block of wood against the tip and tap it a few times with something like the handle of a screwdriver. That should seal it. I enjoyed your video.
To light it with the flint, let some acetylene flow, hold the lamp reflector up. Cup your right hand over the reflector, trapping some gas. Draw your hand to the right, sliding your palm across the flint. The spark will light the gas right away. In caving 50 years ago we almost never used matches (no butane lighters then.) We filled the tank pretty full with carbide, but we also carried spare carbide in a plastic bag, and an empty bag for the spent carbide. It would last 1-3 hours as I recall. We used it as bright as we could make it. It gave a good light, and if it was a large passage, you had light from everybody's lamps. They made one with a large reflector, 8-12 inches across. I actually used it on my bicycle when peddling at night to my girlfriend's house. Her father made me leave it outside as you can't turn the gas off completely. There were battery headlamps then, but batteries were expensive to us poor college kids. Now with LED bulbs, and rechargeable batteries, that's they way to go. If there was snow on the ground when we exited the cave, we would spill the still working carbide into the snow, then piss on it, when the gas started really going we would toss a match on it and watch the snow burn. We carried spare carbide and felt filters, as the water dripping on the carbide sometimes wet the felt and clogged it. We also carried a spare flashlight, even candles, so if we stopped to rest or eat we could use those and save the carbide. I once bought a 50 or 100 lb tub of carbide for the Brooklyn College Open Road Club (Outing club) and had it delivered to my house. I don't think the school wanted it on the premises as it could get wet and explode. I saw a new old stock 4" reflector on ebay for $13.51 on December 28, 2019. It came with the flint and striker. Also small flints are available on ebay. Wikipedia has a nice article on carbide, which is really Calcium Carbide.
Michael this was a great read. Sounds like many fond memories…I just bought my first carbide lamp and I’m excited to learn how to fix it up and operate it. Once I’m confident in using it, I’ll take it to a local cave (with back up lighting of course). Take care, Dan
dear michael thanks for this information regarding this repair, my step dad was a minor when i was a child and this facinated me, what with all the stories he told me, would this light not be dangerous tho due to gasses down the mine? if u could reply and let me know i would appriciate it many thanks,
My grandfather was a minor in LaSalle, IL. My 92 year old dad has grandpa's carbide lamp. I remember as a child my dad getting it up and running a few times. Great job. Great memories. Thanks
This is cool, but it must be dangerous when being used down mines due to gas build ups, thanks for sharing, i love old stuff like this, stay safe and see u in your next epic repair job.
Great job! Hand beaten reflector has multiple reflecting surfaces that makes the light softer not so hard on eyes ...can be used for longer time without tiring the eyes ... well done.
Уникальная лампа ! Видел в исторических фильмах карбидные лампы шахтеров , но чтоб налобный фонарь - вижу впервые 😳 Ролик 👍 жду продолжения темы раритетов ! УДАЧИ 👌
No. In the USA it's called a CARBIDE LAMP, just like he said. Nowhere did he say FAN. Nowhere did he say CARBITE. Both my grandfathers were coal miners and all miners called them CARBIDE LAMPS, probably because it was much easier to say than acetylene.
Quando o homem usa seu conhecimento para a tecnologia a favor do trabalho,isso é magnífico...uma lanterna de reação cálcio/água para produção de gás volátil...era de época passada mas como pode a simplicidade junto com o conhecimento produzir algo fantástico...que peça bonita,que trabalho de restauração interessante, parabéns amigo!❤️
As a young child I can remember my grandfather and uncle preparing their carbide lamps before going on shift. There was a very distinctive smell coming from the carbide. I think I might even recognise it now 70 years later
I have the very same lantern but I am needing some parts the end where the gas come out at and where to get the cap so to go in there. I am also needing the gasket what material is use can you help me ?
Randy. The tips are hard to come by. You may have to salvage one from another lamp. The cap for the tip isn’t needed. It’s an extra part. The gasket can be bought at a good hardware store or check Amazon. Sadly, the only supplier for these lights quit a couple of years ago. Good luck on your light.
Nice restoration of that old miners light there the only thing is that i couldn't imagine having to use it the mines like the older generation of miners did and go to the places that Ive seen on some videos of them i still to this day don't know how they didn't fall to their death's with those lights in their too compared to the lights that they use in today times here
Nice video. Too bad Bob and Bob went out of business, they had replacement reflectors for like $10 or less. I restored several of these with new reflectors from them. The flame should be out a little more than what you had in this video, should be about 1 1/2" to 2" long, if the tip is worn out it will not shoot out a good flame, it will be too broad and not long enough. Thanks for the promo, by the way.
You can also use a Scotch Brite pad if the felt is no longer useable. The cup thing over the tip is a wind guard. I probably have a few spare reflectors around from my caving days.
It will light with the flint. I used the lighter for expediency. If I cup my hand over it and use the flint, it lights. If you watch it to the end you will see that I did light it with the flint. Thanks for watching.
