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Teapot Wick Lamp

PostPosted: May 17, 2007 9:53 am
by Adam Craig
Back when carbide caplamps were considered "new technology", alot of miners were using the old teapot style oil and wick lamps. Has anyone ever fired one of these up underground? Just curious as to the light output... Not that I'd use it regularly, but it might be neat to go caving with one of those old lamps. Anyone done this???

PostPosted: May 17, 2007 10:24 am
by Wormster
Why bother?

PostPosted: May 17, 2007 10:45 am
by Adam Craig
'Tis a pity one must ask... :patriotic:

PostPosted: May 17, 2007 4:39 pm
by NZcaver
Wormster wrote:Why bother?

The same could be said of carbide, I suppose... :tonguecheek:

Ah, the nostalgia of flame! :carbide:


Adam - I don't expect an old oil-and-wick lamp would put out much more light than a large candle, but why not give it a try? (Assuming you don't contaminate the cave with soot and oil, of course.) :wink:

PostPosted: May 17, 2007 8:22 pm
by Adam Craig
Sure... The same could be said about anything.

As far using an old wick lamp, I'd first have to obtain one. That may be sooner than later though :banana:

I'm sure the light output is seriously reduced compared with a carbide light. That's not the point. I just want to see the underground like people saw it 100 years ago... :exactly:

PostPosted: May 17, 2007 8:31 pm
by Teresa
To avoid mess, and putting out big big bucks, get a camping candle lantern. They use the 1" diameter plumbers candles, are glassed in, the wick and candle have a receding cap to promote efficient burning, and come with a handle and sometimes a hook.

Works great! We've also caved on (really cheap!) beer can candles:

Take a beer and drink it. (yeah, a 12 oz soda can will work, too).
Remove pop top tab.
Take a tin snips and cut the can off 1/2 of the way of its height.

Punch a hole in the bottom for a 1/2 inch white candle. Poke candle through, with the can forming a cup around the candle.

If you have a second candle (they come in paks of 4), a friend and some tinfoil, line the top of the can with tinfoil, punch hole in foil through the former drinking hole, and insert candle.

You now have two, cheap, drip controlled cave candles.

Light and enjoy. But carry spare candles.