Anyone Else Here Collect Coleman ?

Lookin at possibly a different first lantern. Don't really know what I'm getting into. 220J. If there is internal rust in a lantern fount is it to be avoided at all costs or if it isn't too bad can and how should it be cleaned? If I get one that has nickel how is the best way to polish it up?

 

a 220J would be a good first lantern to start with, easy simple design, if the inside of the fount has rust in it, i and most others use about twenty to thirty BB's inside and shake it up for while, then remove the BB's and clean/rinse with fuel until it comes out clean, if the lantern has sat for a long while you may need to remove the pick-up/fuel control valve assy and clean it...........as far as nickle plating goes, depending on how bad it is, fine (0000) steelwool lightly, then i use mothers mag & aluminum polish several times until it shines as good as it can, remember most all nickle plated colemans are brass founts, nickle plated (the bottom plate of the fount in these are galvanized steel that will rust also, so still watch out for rust inside one of these also), some with thicker plating than others, so be careful with the steelwool that you don't rub too hard..........

 

All of you are bad influences on me! I feel a new addiction coming on. I dun got my first gas lantern. I am just on the way out for the weekend and this shows up. Unpacked and fondled a bit and am now chomping at the bit to play with it but have to go as I am really late now.

 

wow!.........very nice, i see you went for the akron, hope you got it at a fair price........also, be careful with that coleman globe, that's one of the early "block letter" globes, i'd be interested in it if you decide to find a correct globe for the akron..........well done.........

 

a couple pics i thought you might like, J.C. Steese, the founder of the Akron lamp co. and his humble shop circa 1898...........

 

and here's my recent "big find", yeah, i know it's just a propane lantern, but this one has a story, i've been wanting a 5114 or 5107 propane job for a while now, they're one of the best propane models ever made, and this one popped up on the bay very early this last Monday morning with a very low BIN and low shipping, it said that it may have only been used once then stored and was still in new condition with box, so i jumped on it without really looking that close at it, after an hour or so i went to look closer at it, and to my surprise this one is one of the very few that had the "fluted" style globes in it, the globes are in the 100. range value wise, so once i got it here at home i replaced the globe with a standard "picket" style to use in it and i'll keep the rare globe stored for safe keeping........

 

here's a few pics of the clear fluted style globe and i added a couple of the "white picket" non fluted globe as well, most of these are found on the 275 lantern, the picket style was also made fluted for a short time.......

 

well, this is a little off topic but i just had to share, i almost bought one of these heaters off ebay a few weeks back but let it go through and someone else bought it for next to nothing, i thought they were much smaller than they really are, the heater is a 60's vintage Arvin in classic teal color with chrome trim, i found this one today at an antique mall priced very reasonably and i grabbed it, still in super shape and works very well, it also has a tip over shut down, must have been state of the art back then and it really throws off some heat, it also is fan forced with automatic thermostat, wish i new what i passed up on ebay or i would have bought it, heck, for all i know this might be the one that was listed!!, anyway a couple pics.........

 

The disorder is starting to take hold. Picked up a 1-76 Coleman 220J over the weekend. Pics to follow soon. The pump won't build pressure. Looked at the W store and there were pump assemblies with about 17 model numbers starting at 228 and up. Will it work in my 220J or are 220's a different pump? I put a couple drips of oil down the hole 15 minutes ago. If that will help how soon will I know?

 

Yes, my Dad.

We have 525 million coolers of various sizes, shapes and colors around here.

Actually the amount is more like, maybe 8 or 10, maybe?

Plus, he's got a crapload of lanterns or various sizes.

Don't even get me started on his pea-picking kerosene heaters!

 

i'd take out the pump assy and see how the pump leather looks, you may need to replace it, use neatsfoot oil on the leather and fold it back over itself and let it soak in the oil for a while, also spray some carb cleaner down the pump tube and let soak on the check valve down at the bottom (take out the close off stem first), worst case you may need to remove the check valve to clean it (a special removal tool should be used), alot of times they just stick from not being used, also make sure the filler cap seal is good, if dry rotted at all replace it, an o-ring will get you by in a pinch until you can get the right cap seal....

 

here's a breakdown of the 220j, the pump leather is item #18, and the check vave/close off stem is #16.........

 

Just went out to the garage and played. I took pics and tried the pump. I think the pump may have come back to life. I can now build pressure and if I crack the valve I can hear hiss. I will need to clean the fount and try firing up when I have more time. My Akron needs a good cleaning and a filler cap seal before I try the pump. Any lead would be appreciated on finding an accurate glass for the Akron 103.

 

Once and if I can get the lanterns to run what is the best way to store them to prevent rust and gummy generators?

 

Fred Kuntz makes very nice repo mica globes, a search of his name should bring up his site, here's a couple pics of his work............also coleman fuel has additives to keep it fresh for long periods, but i'd still just light them occasionally, on the akron you'll need to remove the generator to clean the tip on occasion as they have no tip cleaner built in......

 

This is a really cool thread, I have a old Coleman lantern in a cool wooden custom box, ( home made?) from my step grandfather. It's been sitting on a shelf for years in my garage. I can't wait to go home and dig it out and look it over closely. Thanks you guys for opening my eyes!

 

hmmm......... keep us posted with what you've got.....pics would be cool...................

 

Dug it out and will take pics, gotta get my kid help me load them when he gets home from school. How bad is that.

 

OK, just got the kid to help me! Here are the pictures of my lantern.