Hello everyone, A friend of mine, who searches the flea market, found me this lantern. I have no information if it works. In case it does, what shall be the price, I know the forum is not to price items, however, I don't want to make a stupid pay for it. If you prefer not to mention the pricing over here, please send me a message. Appreciate your support
Oops, must get new glasses. Try this: - Model 238B is a rare lantern and much desired by collectors so prices tend to be very high !
The Coleman 238B isn't a common lantern in the USA or most of Europe. Some had been found in Australia. Highly sought-after. There aren't that many members, even at the Coleman Collector's Forum, having it. However, you might have a fair chance of finding one if you're Asia or maybe South Africa. I bought one some years ago in a flea market. The price wasn't too high, about similar to many Petromax or other brands. I don't think they're very common in South America either. It is meant to burn kerosene. It has a unique ribbed vaporizer.
Thank you @JEFF JOHNSON and @MYN for the information. Got the lantern. Now fettling it slowly. Need every kind of hints and tips please. Pump, rapid heater and even the knob at the top of the lantern. I will work carefully and gently and on a step by step pace. The generator knob is stuck. It doesn't turn. I will do a full assessment later.
Well I have to ad to that: the Belgium air force did have had a batch which make the Coleman 238B not that rare as a Petromax wall lamp. You can find them. It is a nut (ball shaped), so it should be possible to unscrew. Try oil (penetrating) or heat if that doesn't help. Warning: be careful with the hood it is made of thin aluminum. No spare parts available since it is not an US version of a Coleman. For the nut and spindle: it is a bad combination of metals: steel and brass. Once the steel gets corroded it fuses with the brass (generator and/or knob).
Many thanks @WimVe . I will take care of the nut. For the remaining I will have to find a diagram, spindle not turning at all.
Remember not to use pliers including this to remove to vent nut:- Try some penetrating oil soak 1st, then some heat. Be careful about the aluminium vent/hood while using heat.
Thank you @MYN . That nut seems very stubborn. I am perceiving it will be a long journey fettling this lantern
Hello again, Dearest forum colleagues, I know you are not supposed to spoon feed a user, but some basic skills are needed to work on certain items. Otherwise, maybe the person shouldn't be trying to fix those lanterns or at the beginning collecting them. I belive however, I'm an enthusiastic and want to improve my skills. I am firstly a stoves enthusiast and started by learning about fettling stoves, which went well and I barely fail with stoves fettling now. Currently and especially with this find (the 238B), and which it cost me a lot of dollars frankly, I'm trying to work with lanterns which seem a bit more delicate . This nut is very stubborn. I put penetrating oil on it overnight and used a torch continuously heating it for two minutes this morning, as advised, but it's still stuck. When I try to turn it, I'm worried the whole top of the lantern will twist, and I don't want to break anything. I'm just giving you a step-by-step update on where I'm at. With thanks and regards, Migwar
Others will know better than I but that looks like the same nut as used on more modern coleman lanterns. if so it is replacable.
The "trick" is to heat it up and then coll down fast (water). Did you do that too (cooling down)? It maybe necessary to do this more then once. You notice the problem that you may twist the globe cage or worse, break the globe. Cutting the nut may be the last option. Remember however, there was a life before you got this lantern, so no hurry here!
Thank you for the note @Fireexit1 For the cooling down @WimVe nope, I've only left it to cool down without entervention. Will work on it back at everning. I am doing as you said "there was a life before I've got it"
Repeated fast heat up and sudden cooling with water will usually free up a lot very tight, corroded parts. That's provided, the male-female threads had not been forcibly crossed and seized-up. Take your time, no hurries there. Rushing through it usually results in regrets due to irreversible damage.
Ten trials heating the nut with a torch for 2 minutes each, then quickly putting water to cool it down. It worked at the end. A picture is worth a million words:
The check valve works, there is pressure in the tank. The pump seal shall be replaced, as it is not in its best condition. I was able to turn the main knob using a wrench and after few turns left and right, it seems operating. When I later pressurized the system and turned the knob to the left, fuel went out and leaked from the point indicated in the picture below. Shall I give the lamp a try and ignite it? Whihout a mantle for now? For now, the rapid fire burner seems dead.
I wouldn't fire up a lantern that is in that state. Personal opinion. First make sure all parts are clean and operate as they should. Making the valve turn with a wrench made you a lucky person with not breaking the spindle. Why the hurry ?
It will leak fuel from there as it is still liquid and not been gassified as the lamp is not pre-heated. I would echo Vim's sentiments, take the whole thing apart, clean it properly and reassmble with new seals. As it is a coleman there are not too many seals. You can probably use graphite tape to replace the spindle seal if needed and you cannot get a proper seal. Coleman - The Fettlebox Be careful with the generator as I suspect these will be hard to come by.
The enthusiasm Okay, will continue the work with many thanks @WimVe and @Fireexit1 for those recommendations. A little secret: I prefer fettling those lanters and stoves to being at my work behind the ugly screen . I'm hoping my boss isn't aware of this.
Hi Migwar. I've taken some PICTURES pictures during the restoration of my 238B. Maybe it is of some help to you. Good success. :-)
Hi @Erwin this is amazing, what a neat and well organized work. What you've shared is definetly a proper hlepful and supporting documentation. Much appreciated indeed
Be extra careful with the unique generator. Unless you are very lucky, chances are, you might not be able to find another replacement if its damaged. You'd then need to completely make a new unit out brass in a machine shop. That'd be a lot work and won't be original.
Thank you @MYN this will be definitely out of my reach. I will take full care. Currently the main screw in the middle of the lantern, which connects the upper part to the tank, is stuck. I am using penetrating oil and waiting. Torch fire cannot reach to the connection to apply heat and cold here.
Myn That generator is probably the only part of the lantern he can replace. lol Old Coleman parts sells reproductions for $50.
