Excellent demonstration and review of carbide lamps. I was always intrigued by how this technology worked. My grandparents were used to this kind of lighting, but I was never exposed to it growing up. This was a bit before my time. Great to see people keeping history alive. Thank you sir!
Yup, I own a Justrite . Used it since 1964 in cave exploration. It is in my cave cartography gear to soot-spot a station stop. Also helped me explore one of the longer California caves. I last used it for warming cold hands when inside a glacier.
Yes it does. A simple invention that had many uses. Its a hard decision to work in a field that you know will take 20-30yrs. Off your life. The coal miners black lung disease.
My great-grandfathers farm had an acetylene contraption in the side yard below ground with a brass line to the house. From there were hoseing to the kitchen and dining room for cooking and light. I was told this by my grandma, from when she was a little girl. Amazing that there weren't more house fires back then. Great tutorial on how carbide is made/used. 👍
It's true they had a large tank outside of peoples homes to provide light. A brighter light than kerosene lamps. Usually a chandelier type lamps. They must have been well off to have one of those set ups. Thank goodness for Edison's light bulb.
I just found a brand new one while going through my grandpa’s house when I seen it I new it was something cool I came across a whole lot of interesting things from way back thanks for the video and information
Yes, they have an interesting history. 2.00 is a great price. They can be restored. One of these has never been used. You can find parts on Ebay sometimes. Take care friend.
Our old farmhouse in Iowa was built in 1860. All manner of lighting was used in it (mostly candles, sperm whale oil, and kerosene) until gas lighting began to be installed about 1894. Our house was one of the first to have gas lighting which operated using acetylene gas generated when water dripped into carbide in a big tank located outside the house underground. It had a concrete top on the tank, and we could easily access this tank the entire time we owned the house. Many of the gaslight fixtures remained in the house up until the time we bought it in about 1973, however most of them had been converted to electricity. Also, as a kid my dad used several carbide lanterns on the hats he wore down to the various rivers in the area for night fishing and campout adventures. He used the lanterns to see what he was doing while fishing, but he also used them for the very important task of keeping an eye out for the many poisonous water moccasin snakes that would sneak up on him on the riverbank at night. ;-)
You came up in the good old days. One of my friends used a carbide head lamp when we went coon hunting. Your house has an interesting history. If those walls could talk! I like the old stuff. I shave with a straight razor. I'll do a video on that one day. Thanks for the comment.
That is a very interesting observation. I haven't thought about the term limelight. The Coal and lime are mixed together and heated up to make the Carbide. Thanks for the comment.
thanks Gary I am glad that you pointed out the part about the gasket. I picked up a couple of these minus reflectorsand I want to demonstrate how they work in our small town museum when kids come in. Know where I can get thegaskets or reflectors?
Dennis Thornton Ebay has the reflectors sometimes. The gaskets are sometimes on ebay.You could probably make one from an inner tube or cork. The reservoir get warm, but not that hot. Napa or Autozone might have a gasket you could s match it up with. Good luck!
Gary J I've actually just ordered two carbide lights off of EBay. One is advertised as working and not sure about the other. Anyway, that's a nice video you made. Thanks for taking the time !
That's great. There is so much history about them. Make sure you have a good seal on them. You might have to make a seal for one. WD. 40 will soften a hard seal ring.
I think you need the ceramic tip because of the high heat from the flame. There is a tool kind of like a allen wrench. That is used to clean acetylene torch heads out when they get clogged up. Stop at a welding shop they should have a torch head cleaner. It looks like this. www.ebay.com/itm/311413289559?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=311413289559&targetid=1262779894689&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9011156&poi=&campaignid=10454521898&mkgroupid=122766957592&rlsatarget=pla-1262779894689&abcId=2146002&merchantid=8570244&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpNGjgL2T8QIVA7GGCh1Y6Q8nEAQYAiABEgLtOPD_BwE
I haven't seen any new ones. They are safe if you have a gasket between the resorvoir and top piece. Sometimes you can find an unused one on ebay. One of mine was unused.They polish up nice.
Yeah I figure if I ever get one I would use some never dull to polish it ,never dull will make almost any tarnished metal look better then new with a little bit of work,those look like brass ,I find those lamps amazing old tech ,how long will the run for,
Thats very interesting. The microwave and plastic and many other things were made by accident. I wish I could make something by accident instead of a mess.
Excellent demonstration and review of carbide lamps. I was always intrigued by how this technology worked. My grandparents were used to this kind of lighting, but I was never exposed to it growing up. This was a bit before my time. Great to see people keeping history alive. Thank you sir!
Thank you very much for your comment sir.
Thank you for sharing this video.🙏🏿 My 83 year old father got to take a trip down memory lane.
That’s awesome thanks for the comment.
Yup, I own a Justrite . Used it since 1964 in cave exploration.
It is in my cave cartography gear to soot-spot a station stop.
Also helped me explore one of the longer California caves.
I last used it for warming cold hands when inside a glacier.
Thanks for the comment. They are interesting lamps. I have not done cave exploration. I have been in a number of them though.
Makes you have more respect for past generations that worked in the mines with tools like this. I had an aunt from near Harlan Ky
Yes it does. A simple invention that had many uses. Its a hard decision to work in a field that you know will take 20-30yrs. Off your life. The coal miners black lung disease.
My great uncle talked about using a carbide generator cutting torch. He was happy when acetylene gas bottles become more common.
I have not heard of those. I have used a cutting torch though.
My great-grandfathers farm had an acetylene contraption in the side yard below ground with a brass line to the house. From there were hoseing to the kitchen and dining room for cooking and light. I was told this by my grandma, from when she was a little girl. Amazing that there weren't more house fires back then.
Great tutorial on how carbide is made/used. 👍
It's true they had a large tank outside of peoples homes to provide light. A brighter light than kerosene lamps. Usually a chandelier type lamps. They must have been well off to have one of those set ups. Thank goodness for Edison's light bulb.
Iam from the Caribbean and i use to build these carbide lamps from scratch for hunting .
Wow! That's neat. A forgotten art. Sorry I misses your post. I just saw it.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with these lamps.
Apocalypse Survivor Thank you for watching.
Awesome video . I enjoyed it and learned a lot about these Lamps by watching this .
Thanks. They are interesting devices.
Thanks for posting this excellent description of how the
old carbide lamps worked.
Jim Sharp You sre welcome Jim.
How cool! Thank you for sharing this with us all!
Thank you for your comment. Have a great day!
@@knightingalesaid Absolutely! You as well, brother!
Fascinating. Thanks for creating/sharing this video!
Thanks for watching.
I just found a brand new one while going through my grandpa’s house when I seen it I new it was something cool I came across a whole lot of interesting things from way back thanks for the video and information
You are welcome! Take care.
So cool
Watching you light one explains where the word "Flashlight" came from.
That's a neat observation. I hadn't thought about it that way.
I just found one at the thrift store for 2.00! I thought it was really cool looking and had no idea what it was. Amazing little piece of history
Yes, they have an interesting history.
2.00 is a great price. They can be restored. One of these has never been used. You can find parts on Ebay sometimes. Take care friend.
eBay they are not cheep all the way up to a Couple hundred the one I found at my grandpas house is about 280 bucks
Yeah? To discover spare parts for carbide lamps be advised old mines afford that opportunity..
Thanks for showing and deep explanation. very informative.
You are most welcome friend.
it’s like a flashlight.....very good lighting...
Thank you. I learnt something today
blagdonboy11 Great! Its always in season to learn.
Our old farmhouse in Iowa was built in 1860. All manner of lighting was used in it (mostly candles, sperm whale oil, and kerosene) until gas lighting began to be installed about 1894. Our house was one of the first to have gas lighting which operated using acetylene gas generated when water dripped into carbide in a big tank located outside the house underground. It had a concrete top on the tank, and we could easily access this tank the entire time we owned the house. Many of the gaslight fixtures remained in the house up until the time we bought it in about 1973, however most of them had been converted to electricity. Also, as a kid my dad used several carbide lanterns on the hats he wore down to the various rivers in the area for night fishing and campout adventures. He used the lanterns to see what he was doing while fishing, but he also used them for the very important task of keeping an eye out for the many poisonous water moccasin snakes that would sneak up on him on the riverbank at night. ;-)
You came up in the good old days. One of my friends used a carbide head lamp when we went coon hunting. Your house has an interesting history. If those walls could talk! I like the old stuff. I shave with a straight razor. I'll do a video on that one day. Thanks for the comment.
@@knightingalesaid Looking forward to your shaving vid.
The Lime gives it the name 'Lime Light'
That is a very interesting observation. I haven't thought about the term limelight. The Coal and lime are mixed together and heated up to make the Carbide. Thanks for the comment.
Very nice and interesting, thank you for this
Thank you for watching.
Because of your video, I’m going out looking for one!
Great, Ebay has them. Find a decent one. A great part of history.
Thanks for the info,I hope someday to find a bike one ,
Impressive
Thanks for the comment.
Use plumbers lube/plumbers grease. WD40 will deteriorate the rubber. DO NOT USE ANY PETROLEUM ON RUBBER FITTINGS OR PARTS. GOOD LUCK!
Thanks for the comment! That’s some good information.
thanks Gary I am glad that you pointed out the part about the gasket. I picked up a couple of these minus reflectorsand I want to demonstrate how they work in our small town museum when kids come in. Know where I can get thegaskets or reflectors?
Dennis Thornton Ebay has the reflectors sometimes. The gaskets are sometimes on ebay.You could probably make one from an inner tube or cork. The reservoir get warm, but not that hot. Napa or Autozone might have a gasket you could s match it up with. Good luck!
Or try a hardware store.
Excellent informative video.
Thank you sir.
My father use it for fishing. Now it is collectible item so i want to keep and plan to restore it.
Thats great to hear. They are interesting items. You can make a rubber ring to seal the bottom canister. Ebay has some parts for them.
Cool lanterns. I have that exact plate. lol
Good taste!
Gary J I've actually just ordered two carbide lights off of EBay. One is advertised as working and not sure about the other. Anyway, that's a nice video you made. Thanks for taking the time !
That's great. There is so much history about them. Make sure you have a good seal on them. You might have to make a seal for one. WD. 40 will soften a hard seal ring.
Very cool, thanks
Do you think these lanterns will work without the ceramic tip?I can not get my unclogged.
I think you need the ceramic tip because of the high heat from the flame. There is a tool kind of like a allen wrench. That is used to clean acetylene torch heads out when they get clogged up. Stop at a welding shop they should have a torch head cleaner. It looks like this. www.ebay.com/itm/311413289559?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=311413289559&targetid=1262779894689&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9011156&poi=&campaignid=10454521898&mkgroupid=122766957592&rlsatarget=pla-1262779894689&abcId=2146002&merchantid=8570244&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpNGjgL2T8QIVA7GGCh1Y6Q8nEAQYAiABEgLtOPD_BwE
I have one from the family ,I put a mig welder tip then work nice,but only for exterior !
That's a good idea. A mig welder tip. I'll remember that. Thanks!
Awesome!
Thank you brother.
Do they make new ones,or new old stock,something safe
I haven't seen any new ones. They are safe if you have a gasket between the resorvoir and top piece. Sometimes you can find an unused one on ebay. One of mine was unused.They polish up nice.
@@knightingalesaid You can find them on Amazon for $80 to $120.
Thanks not everyone no about never dull .🖒🖒
I came here because LotM 2: CoI
Yeah I figure if I ever get one I would use some never dull to polish it ,never dull will make almost any tarnished metal look better then new with a little bit of work,those look like brass ,I find those lamps amazing old tech ,how long will the run for,
If you fill them up with carbide they will burn for 2 to 3 hrs. Never dull will clean them up well.
I have 3 of them I have one from the 1920s and the other 2 are from the 1930s
They are neat lamps. A friend of mine wore one on his cap whence went coon hunting one night. I was a teenager. I really marveled at it.
cool stuff
I have one for a bicycle.
That is really cool. I have seen them in museums.
One of the better youtube videos on carbide lamp use, but please don' t write on cave walls. Graffiti is obnoxious.,
I wouldn't dare. Only on train cars. 😉
carbide was a mistake invention.....he was trying to make aluminum......
Thats very interesting. The microwave and plastic and many other things were made by accident. I wish I could make something by accident instead of a mess.