I have 2 lanterns. One is a Coleman gas and the other is a Coleman propane. I have them on shelves that I can't reach right now, but I got them at garage sales and the gas was $5 and the propane was $10. That was over 13 years ago. I have a lot of oil lamps for inside and I have picked up many things for a grid down situation, or a back to basics way of living. I have an old Coleman camping oven for over a grill or campfire that I need to restore. Fun stuff. Thank you for your video.
Living in Ireland. Not many Coleman lanterns here, mostly Tilley & bialaddin. Found an immaculate 1973 639F in an antique store for €70. Originally sold to a car parts manufacturing company in Birmingham UK. I think it had only been used once before as it was so clean. It was full of kerosene so of course I fired it right up. Probably 50yrs old kerosene! No problem. Love it. Coleman need to move their manufacturing back to USA, I think they would sell more products. Thanks for vid.
One of the first things I did to my 639C was remove the Made in China writing on the globe. Found that Lime Away will do the trick with a q-tip and a lot of patience. Used 0000 steel wool in between and it slowly faded away. I kept the Coleman logo. Now I am happier with it.
Both my lanterns are 2nd hand and the 220 has dents and dings on it but it will work again. The old 425B is primer gray. It may not stay that way if it'll strip off. It was that waymwhen I got it over 30 years ago from an old neighbor. Still works to perfection. They're good enough for who they're for. I've got dents and dings myself. Thanks, Pal!
the old ones makes me think of my younger days camping out with my grandfather in the woods back when cars were cars and you got what you paid for. when life was new and fun i guess. i still got my 1956 220f and it works just as food now as when grandpaw bought it new before i was born ive had new ones. they just dont feel right to me guess cause the older ones were what i grew up using going out to the lake or creek fishing all weekend. nothing like the old days
AWH, I like the fact that Coleman lanterns have the year and month of build stamped into the bottom. My dad used to take us kids along with grandma and grandpa camping at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park in the 1950's. He had a Coleman 220 that he hot rodded some how. It had the whitest brightest light of all of the camps. You could see our camp from 1/4 mile away at night because the lantern stood out. I don't know what he did to it but I sure would like to know. He was always fixing other campers lanterns for them and he had fun doing it. I enjoyed how they would tell stories while he had the lantern in pieces on the picnic table.
Old is better! I saved two lanterns from the dump, a 200a marked 8 59 in the box with original packaging and a 228d nickel faunt. Sunshine of the night. Both full of mud wasp nests. They will live again!
your spot on, made in china alone makes it not as good as the old ones. i sure wish they never did that, i’ve never melted a needle by adjusting the brightness either. thanks for the vid
Thanks for the video - good comparison! I don't understand the decision by Coleman to go offshore for some parts - even if it is cheaper. The high quality be linked to their name I think.
You should have put a Coleman 237 beside the 639C for an honest assessment of the two. I have both. A Coleman 237, bought brand new by my father, made May 1962 and still in excellent condition and workability. I just bought a Coleman 639C for no other reason than I wanted another kerosene burner. The old 237 is built far better than the stamped out 639C but it works well and is nice and bright especially with a Peerless 111 mantle. I like them both, but I like the 237 a bit more.
There's something very cool about the old Coleman lanterns. The 220 and 228s are the nicest, along with the 242C. I have a 1949 220D that is in perfect condition and has never been fired, ever. Never had fuel put it in. I have a 1950 228D that is mint showroom along with a 242C that is mint. Fun hobby. I just bought another 228E from 1953. Period correct globe, perfect vent probably fired one time and then drained and never used again.
Gotta 220f for $30 and a 425b 2 burner camp stove for $15 on offer up. 220f pump cup needed oiled and had to take out a stuck check valve and clean it but both run like champs. I also a 220b and 530 pocket stove that belonged to my grandpa I found in a shed a couple years back that also work great !
My wife and I are avid campers. last week I purchased 1963 220e, a 1966 220f, and a 1978 220j, and a 1960's 2 burner duel fuel stove for less than $80.00 total. I know that these lanterns and stove will be around and still working long after I am gone, and I am 66. I look at all the new stuff every year. I live not far from a coleman outlet store. the stuff looks ok. But to pick the lanterns and stoves up they just feel cheap. They have great tents, and a lot of other great items.
Teddonna Luker damn what a good deal. Did you buy em all online from different people? I really want a single mantle to go with my 220b and 220f. My B is an old one from the 40s but looks good with the nickle fount.
I have a 220f and 228b that make the new duel fuel look like junk. -19f out now and the 295-700 strugles to stay lite, while the others haven't notice the the cold. just wanted to see how well it works in sever weather.
Ive noticed my duel fuels like to run full out in colder weather. Ive also noticed that the older lanterns have heavier cast burners which holds the heat better. More heat better burn. You cant beat the old ones.
You pay the same prices whether it is made in the USA or China. Difference is more corporate PROFITS on the ones made in china. One improvement they could make is on the fuel control knob. 1/4 turn and push to make a spark to light it (piezo electric). Can someone tell me if using kerosene will allow the lamp to run longer? If so, is it significant?
Yea shareholder profits generally push for cheaper and cheaper manufacturing...but the consumer almost never sees a reduction of price. Funny how that works As far as longer burn times of kerosene. Kero does have more potential energy however kero lanterns generally have bigger generator orifices making for a brighter lantern but at the same burn times. I have ran a 200 and 242 with a stock generator on kerosene and didn't notice much of a difference in burn times. But I can't conclusively rule out that you wouldn't
Much heavier duty construction on the vintage lanterns. The newer lanterns are flimsy when you compare them sise by side. The older lanterns were built to last and designed to be be rebuildable by the owner. The new lanterns are built to be disposable and discarded after a time. For Coleman to build heavy duty lanterns exactly like the models from the 1930's to 1950's they would have to charge several hundred dollars per lantern. Sad sign of the times.
mixwell1983 check out flea markets. Just picked up a red 1962 200A in good condition for 40 bucks. disassembled it and cleaned it up and works great. Just had to buy a mantle.
there is a silver one beside your orange refill funnel i beleave its duel fuel can it be converted to kerosene ? and what model of genarator will fit her
i can build preheat cup ect i have old oxy bottles welding gear .i am new to lamps yes its hard to get info on what kerosene gas genarator will fit my brand new lamp or genarator tip .i also fully und dangers and no way want gas the reason i want to change is if kerosenes to smelly i can put it back n im not out the cost of 2 lamps but its hard to get info with red tape n yellow hat no one wants to say or sell much my model is coleman duelfuel powerhouse unleaded 295
Let me guess -- you drive a 1950 pickup instead of a new one, right? Of course your 1950 pickup is built heavier in many ways because there was no computer design or testing. You'd just build prototypes until one blew up and then you'd know what strength to make, right?
@@XxKnivesNGunsxX I assume you meant 'were' built, not "we're" built, unless you were around then building. I collect antique fountain pens, watches and typewriters. I understand the difference in technology. Take a look at the cost comparison between that 1950's model and today's - in constant money, of course. You'll find how dear the old one was priced--which also explains why our elders took better care of stuff! Best wishes from Texas in the middle of the tropical storm--I'm just south of Houston on the Gulf coast.
They take a little technique but I think they work fine. Its kinda like snapping your fingers. If you can do that you should be able to work em. Its a love em or hate them thing for alot of guys. If you do get one make sure to slide it back down after lighting cause they get really hot. And you will burn yourself. I know from experience lol
I have my dad's Coleman 220F that appears to be in great shape. I can't get it working. I bought new fuel and mantels and burned them in. It hasn't been used in a long time. I would really like to get it working. Replace the pump? Any ideas? or email me at jkscupp@comcast.net Thanks, Ken
