Zach's Lantern Thread (another 242C pg5)

[campmaster-k]

Already hitting the fuel at lunch, he is a goner. It was nice knowing you Zach, sorry we ruined your life.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Well what else am I supposed to do on my lunch break?!

Eat?

Pffft! Food is over-rated.

Need fuel.

Must have Coleman fuel.

Must go light lantern.

[Joamon]

Zach
It looks like you found a diamond in the rough and already polished it out. Sounds like you had a good time visiting and talking shop with the guy. Glad you had a good expirence all around. I was going to say that might have been a little on the high side, but you really made a looker out of that one. Good job. Love to see people enjoying these things.
Thanks for sharing.

Keith

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Yeah I was somewhat concerned that I paid too much too - and maybe I did - but I really like the nickle plated fount, so its all good

I fired it up at my parents house yesterday, after I picked up the fuel at lunch, and they really liked it. My mom asked why I needed a new lantern - she didn't realize it was so old and was very surprised when I told her it was from '48. Then she was very impressed. My Dad loves to tinker of stuff so he liked it as soon as he saw it.

So yesterday after work I was outside tooling on the teardrop and I decided that I'd pump the lantern up and let it burn for a while, just for the heck of it. Well the little thing wouldn't light. It had plenty of pressure but gas wouldn't flow. Last night I took it apart again - this time really taking every little piece apart, going by this old instruction manual I found.

I traced the pressure blockage to the tip of the generator at the little needle and gas tip. Three problems I found with the generator:
1.) the generator tube (and the small rod inside) was slightly bent
2.) the needle at the end of the rod was bent over like a fish hook
3.) the gas tip seemed to be clogged.

So I gently persuaded the generator tube and rod back to something that looked relatively straight, soaked the gas tip in WD-40, carefully straightened out the tiny little needle, and then used the needle to unclog the gas tip. It was a PITA to get the generator assembly back together just right, but it works once again!

After all that, I have a lot better idea of how the lanterns work, and am figuring out what all the different parts are called.

[parnold]

Good job Zach: I have a couple lanterns you can work on!!

You know... I've been wondering all this time.. why your handle here is absolute wonderbread?

I know it's snowboarder, but every time I look at it, I see Wonderbread.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Good job Zach: I have a couple lanterns you can work on!!

You know... I've been wondering all this time.. why your handle here is absolute wonderbread?

I know it's snowboarder, but every time I look at it, I see Wonderbread.

LOL thanks Paul. Hey wonderbread is good stuff!!

[Ratkity]

Oh dear, Zach,

You've been at the fuel already. You've shined that font so much you could swear a genie is gonna pop outta it soon.

Oh yeah, Coleman Keepers, another has JOINED THE CAUSE! *cue Another One Bites the Dust music*

Congratulations on your new acquisition and addiction!

Hugs,
Ratkity

[johnnyb1216]

after admiring the X-II build i was afraid you would tear it apart and rig up some LEDs in it
but seriously im a newb at the lantern thing to and just dont know what to pay for them. It seems people want so much more than what everyone else tells me to pay but i think you got a good score, but what do i know?

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Oh dear, Zach,

You've been at the fuel already. You've shined that font so much you could swear a genie is gonna pop outta it soon.

Oh yeah, Coleman Keepers, another has JOINED THE CAUSE! *cue Another One Bites the Dust music*

Congratulations on your new acquisition and addiction!

Hugs,
Ratkity

LOL thanks Patricia

after admiring the X-II build i was afraid you would tear it apart and rig up some LEDs in it
but seriously im a newb at the lantern thing to and just dont know what to pay for them. It seems people want so much more than what everyone else tells me to pay but i think you got a good score, but what do i know?

No LED's on for this one! I do like what Paul did with an old abused lantern though - he converted it to LED. Might do one sometime, but this one will stay shiny. Yeah I'm with you - I don't know which lantern is worth how much. Not too concerned about it though. I did an ebay search to see how much similar lanterns were going for. That might give you a rough idea.



And now...

I just rescued one off of eBay tonight - a 1948 220D. It seems like its in decent condition but I really won't know until it gets here. I only got it because it looks kinda like a big brother to my 242C since its the same year, with a nickle fount, but its a dual mantle. Anyone have any info on the 220D's?




Dammit. I'm more doomed that I originally thought. I just didn't want my 242C getting lonely.

[parnold]

No collection is complete without a 200.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Just looked up the 200's. I really like the one with the nickle fount, made around 50-51. Can you see a trend forming? Looks like they were the replacement for the 242?

[Oldragbaggers]

Thanks Kirk - I dont need a show piece, but I've been keeping an eye out for a lantern to play with, and really like the nickle plated look. Are there any tips you can give me as to what to look at when I go see it? I've never dealt with the old gas lanterns before so I'm somewhat clueless (but willing and eager to learn)

Zach, I got a beautiful 220K at the local thrift store for $9. It's great looking and fired right up. If you have any thrifts in your area you might keep your eyes on them. I am also going to head up to PA to a couple of the Lancaster mud sales. I hear you can pick up some good stuff pretty cheap there. I also just got a 2 burner 425C off of eBay for $31 in near mint condition. I have been bidding on stoves on eBay for a couple of months but they usually go too high, especially when you add in the shipping. I lost a lot of auctions because I set my limit pretty low, but if you keep trying you can get lucky.

[parnold]

Just looked up the 200's. I really like the one with the nickle fount, made around 50-51. Can you see a trend forming? Looks like they were the replacement for the 242?

I have a soft spot for the 200's because that's what I grew up with. I have a couple from the 50's and an anniversary model that's never been fired that is a 2007. I got it half price at a Coleman outlet in Lake George because it was missing the bail and fuel cap. No box though

I have a 228 birthday lantern, and am keeping my eye out for a 200 birthday lantern (month and year I was born).

I also have a 242, but the nickel was in terrible condition, so I've actually removed most of it so it's a brass fount now. The purists would scoff at what I did, but I'm the one who has to look at it.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Just looked up the 200's. I really like the one with the nickle fount, made around 50-51. Can you see a trend forming? Looks like they were the replacement for the 242?

I have a soft spot for the 200's because that's what I grew up with. I have a couple from the 50's and an anniversary model that's never been fired that is a 2007. I got it half price at a Coleman outlet in Lake George because it was missing the bail and fuel cap. No box though

I have a 228 birthday lantern, and am keeping my eye out for a 200 birthday lantern (month and year I was born).

I also have a 242, but the nickel was in terrible condition, so I've actually removed most of it so it's a brass fount now. The purists would scoff at what I did, but I'm the one who has to look at it.

Have any pictures of those Paul? Didn't know you were collecting

I may try to find my birthday lantern (12-82) but I don't think there was really anything cool being made then. I guess that just means I should be able to find it cheap.

[parnold]

You should be able to get a nice 200 that was made 12/82.