Old fashioned goodness, Dietz Lanterns

I saw a lot of information dealing with preventing rust and repairing rust damage. I already had a preference for brass (once a sailor, always a sailor) but all this concern about rust makes me want it even more. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't seem that any of the larger models are offered in brass.

Due to a misunderstanding, the work on my Jetta came out to about a fifth of what I thought it would. Game's on. I've got my eye on the Blizzard. Any thoughts, Sarge?
 
Dave Rishar said:
I saw a lot of information dealing with preventing rust and repairing rust damage. I already had a preference for brass (once a sailor, always a sailor) but all this concern about rust makes me want it even more. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't seem that any of the larger models are offered in brass.

Due to a misunderstanding, the work on my Jetta came out to about a fifth of what I thought it would. Game's on. I've got my eye on the Blizzard. Any thoughts, Sarge?
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The Blizzard's good to go if you want one of the bigger ones, and I've spent more than it's selling price on a twelve pack of decent quality beer. Don't sweat all the talk about rust, unless you actually are going to be using it in a saltwater environment, rust ain't that big of a problem, unless you're a slob, which you ain't. These things are solid, simple, mechanisms, that given reasonable care, should last a lifetime. Kind of like a khukuri or a good rifle. ;)

Sarge
 
Isn't this the point the thread normally falls into the "What lantern is best for a Zombie attack" vear?
 
burning the ghoul is just as successful as putting a bullet in the brain, with no chance of return. The little blue lantern ought to be superb at this.



munk
 
Dave Rishar said:
Game's on. I've got my eye on the Blizzard. Any thoughts, Sarge?
Click to expand...

That is what I got - the #80 except mine is a W. T. Kirkman copy in galvanized steel. Having seen quite a few such lanterns in antique stores, it appears the main problem with painted ones is the paint burns off at the top of the chimney and they may or may not rust after that. So far this galvanized model just needs the occasional soot wiped off and heat doesn't seem to discolor/effect it. Brass would probably be the same.

The #80 gives off plenty of light for the inside of a 12' x 12' white canvas tent and I don't feel the need for anything else. Your eyes adjust to the light it throws and everything seems plenty bright. Also, it throws off a useful amount of BTUs to help take the edge off in the winter.

Prior to that big Tsunami that hit a while back, WTK had most of the bigger lanterns in either brass or galvanized. After the wave, the disaster area needed the entire world's production of lanterns apparently and they haven't been available.

Kirkman is supposed to be making their own here in the U.S. pretty soon though, and I'll bet they will be pretty good and available in something other than paint.
 
Sarge, any thoughts on fitting reflectors to the back or top (Coleman-style) to increase light output? They sell some, for a few, but costly. Must be another way.


Mike
 
Ad Astra said:
Sarge, any thoughts on fitting reflectors to the back or top (Coleman-style) to increase light output? They sell some, for a few, but costly. Must be another way.


Mike
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Hmmmm, I'll take some pics later of what I came up with for some friends of mine who wanted "rustic" lighting available in part of a building. I took ordinary oil burning table lamps and built nice pine wall mount shelf/brackets for 'em. The lamp sits on a shelf that has guide rails on each side, slotted on their inside with curved slots that match the countours of the lamp base. That way, the lamp gets placed onto it's shelf by being inserted into the rails and slid into position. I wanted a system that would allow easy servicing of the lamps, but would be secure enough to prevent them being tipped or knocked over.

Anyhow, you asked about reflectors. These wall mount brackets feature large, 10" diameter, reflectors of polished stainless steel. I paid a buck and change for those reflectors, what they are is stainless steel dinner plates from the camping section of a sporting goods store. I don't know that reflectors have anything to do with increasing light output, but I do know that they're great for directing and distributing light where you want it to go. Result is less wasted light output, and significantly better illumination of the area you want lit.

Scrounge around a bit, and think outside the box, you'll be suprprised what turns up. ;)

Sarge
 
Wow. A Comet, globe, and wicks only comes up to about $23, including shipping. :)

Lehman's seemed a lot easier to use, btw.
 
IMHO, the main point of reflectors is to cut out light from the other side of them, which is useful if the lantern is a navigation light on a barge or something. I rigged one up once, and the result was half the tent being lit, and that half wasn't a whole lot lighter so I tore the thing off.

However, consider the frosted globe. These diffuse the light very usefully and there is no hotspot visible to mess with your low-light adjusted vision.
 
I ordered the #50. Its just too good a deal to pass up. We've got a couple of old oil burning lamps that have been passed down to me. But they are fancy and glass, and stationary. I want that blizzard too, but I figured why rush it.
 
Sailor Dave and Ad Astra bad men, make Sarge look at brass lanterns, make Sarge want brass lantern, brass lantern too shiny and pretty for Sarge's cave, what Sarge to do? :rolleyes: :p ;)

Sarge
 
Think how I feel. I had just ordered a Comet from the other guy!

When 4 of these lanterns show up in the mail, my wife is going to attack me with a khukuri... hopefully, she will have a difficult time choosing which one to use, like many new forumites.


Mike
 
Ad Astra said:
Think how I feel. I had just ordered a Comet from the other guy!

When 4 of these lanterns show up in the mail, my wife is going to attack me with a khukuri... hopefully, she will have a difficult time choosing which one to use, like many new forumites.


Mike
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Give her the little blue Comet with the following story I done already made up for you; "Honey, I was buying these here lanterns as safe and economical emergency lighting to use around the house next time we lose electrical power. I didn't want you to feel left out, so I got this cute little one here especially for you. Couldn't help myself babe, I just love you so much. . . . . ". ;)
If she buys that steaming load of bovine dung, you could be in for some "rough housing" that don't involve khuks. Bwaaaaaaa :p :D

Sarge
 
Sarge, you make up more than just good knives. :D

I recall having a couple of these: one with citronella for outside, a clean-fuel burning one (no smell) for inside. They don't break the bank and you can save your propane for cooking.

In Homestead for Andrew? I was just north of you in Kendall- south of 104th Street. :o Those were some interesting days.


Mike
 
Here's a pic of one of the wall mounts I made for a friend of mine. I made four of 'em at a total cost per unit of twelve bucks each, and yes, that includes the lamps. :D

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Sarge

Re: Hurricane Andrew; Interesting days indeed Mike. After the storm I was given the option of relocating immediately to any stateside Air Force base I wanted. I respectfully declined since I already had orders to Fort Hood that would have me reporting there in November. Besides, they put a friend of mine, Colonel Dan Connor, in charge of what was left of the base, and I figured he could use my help in the recovery. I also figured since I didn't have much of anything left, I didn't have much to worry about or fuss over. Conditions weren't much different than a lot of field exercises I've been on, and the colonel squared his people away best he could. I stuck around until October, recovering equipment, guiding relief workers, hauling supplies and stuff. Then I was gone to Texas. :D
 

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