I think I need to figure out Mica...2 project Coleman quick lites

@Fireexit1 @podbros thanks! Yeah the smell is faint but still there. It seems easier to insert single panes of replacement mica with the globe still rolled up vs unrolling it and working from there. I guess the separation bars between the mica move when you're removing the panes...

 

@Fireexit1 @podbros since you might be interested...the old mica measured out to be around .002mm to .005mm thin (very paper thin) and the stuff from Old Coleman...thats 0.15mm to 0.16mm if I am reading my micrometer right...so thats the difference between the really flexible older stuff vs new. Not sure if anyone else measured the old mica...

 

Also... Here's that thing I was talking about for the cutout for the fuel filler cap being on different sides of the globe cage. Look where the filler caps are located to be oriented with the cage...Weird...

 

They're fixed up pretty well. Congratulations.
The pump tube can be re-soldered back in place on the 427. Some practice required. I wouldn't fix that with any kind of epoxy putty whatsoever. In my opinion it would be better to have the repair as all-metal.
Nevertheless, a repair on the fount-pump is pretty risky. It needs to be really sound for any device having gasoline or light naphtha as fuel. Any failure can be disastrous.

 

Perhaps take it to an auto-repair shop that deals with car radiator repairs ?

like the photo - it is almost like they made left-hand and right-hand versions

 

@MYN yeah...wouldnt mind to try fixing it...but yeah....like my house intact haha.
lemme get a photo of the font...maybe its something I can fix or just replace. Gimme a few to get the font out.

 

I think a stray zero might have snuck into the house while you weren't looking...
But seriously, 0.02 mm is about the thickness of a cigarette paper so that old mica is amazingly thin.

 

@steerpike451 here's what I'm reading on mine...both new and old...so you're right haha...
0.02mm-0.05mm old mica
0.15mm-0.16mm mica from Old Coleman Parts

 

@MYN I think the tube is broken off the side of the pump...

 

Looks like there'd be a fair amount of soldering required. As long as the tube is still straight and not badly corroded, it might be worth a go at it.
Won't be easy but I think still manageable.

 

That old mica is pretty thin!

glad the new ones worked well

 

From USA Mica website:
Mica has an estimable electrical, physical, mechanical and thermal pertinacity properties. It has high transparency, optical clarity, flatness, non-breakability and heat resistancy. As such, it is suitably used as windows in Kerosene stove, Wood stoves, Furnace peep-holes and microwave ovens.

MICA eliminates risk of cracks, breakage, jerks and can easily withstand shocks, strains and vibration during operations at higher temperatures and prevent grassing. Mica also provide complete safety, versatility, durability and reliability and retain its basic strength.

Mica Sheets are available in any desired size and shape, such as, RECTANGULAR, OVAL, CIRCULAR (ROUND) and can be supplied in any specified thickness. They are normally produced in standard thickness of .003" -.006"(0.075 - 0.15mm approx)

 

@Fireexit1 Thats interesting...i think this might be the source for it. There was a variance in the new mica (some "felt" thinner than others).
The wife saved that last piece as it was the thickest one and she was scared it wouldnt flex for the globe but I think it will.

We are waiting on one more small pack from a different place as there is two panels on the globe that could be replaced as they have small pin holes.

 

The tube is missing but not from the side of the tube, the part you show is actually the head of a small brass plug which holds in the ball bearing check valve.

The tube goes here -

It's 1/8" external diameter and the open end is 3/4" below the threads and looks like this -


You may need to remove a small area of nickel plate so the solder will stick.

 

@Henry Plews you are saying the pump is repairable? 1/8th inch brass tubing? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

K & S Precision Metals 8121 Round Soft Brass Fuel Line, 1/8" OD x 0.014" Wall x 12" Long, 1 Piece, Made in The USA: Hobby Rc Helicopters: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

This?

 

Yes, that will work. A point to watch though, is that with such a tight curve the tube may kink / nip up, so anneal the tube before bending to reduce the risk of this happening. Also, consider inserting a (lubricated) thin wire just as far as the extent of the curve to make sure the tube stays "open".

 

@Henry Plews My thanks. Appreciate that you reached out and pointed out the part.

I have already secured a replacement tank thats missing everything (which I have from my donor)
The fuel cap, gasket, fuel valve and pump will have a place to go.

I tested the pump just now...needed a leather cup which I had...and worked great. I have the tube coming in.

Thanks for the reminder on bending tubing. I have bent some waveguides before that are brass tubing, and will pack it and heat it before bending.

I have a spare cage, so the only things I would need would be a cap and a cage rest (the one that says "coleman quick lite" but thats the easy part.

 

@Remus1956 You're welcome. I hope everything goes well for you.

 

@Henry Plews so...I Guess I am lucky because I actually am not to skilled at soldering (non electric type)

But....its alive and squirt me in the face when I worked the pump...

 

Looks OK - it cannot be seen from the outside
Practice makes perfect with soldering. Cleanliness, use of flux and keeping heat local (so as not to melt other nearby joins) are the thngs to work on. Always remove flux afterwards as it is corrosive.
Use plumber's solder rather than electrical.

You can always practice on bits of copper pipe, brass sheet, even steel. (tin cans are fun)

 

@Fireexit1 Yep...plumbers' solder there. The electrician type is weak and not for this type of application.
Its why it looks like a mess...I am not used to that type of solder...but as it is I put a squirt of dye in the pump and plugged the pipe with a wood dowel...it does not come out anywhere else...so its ugly...but airtight at the joint.

 

he he "good enough for government work"

 

@Fireexit1 yeah pretty much...haha.
I will know when I get the tank...the replacement tank is coming in a few days... Then we will know if I am good to go.

But...I think its going to work.

 

Congratulations @Remus1956 , the two lanterns have cleaned up nicely.
Following this post has been interesting .

 

@ROBBO55 thanks man! And now this is going to be 3 lanterns haha...

@Firestarter so the spare tank has arrived. Finding a tank was really lucky actually... Not that it was expensive but just uncommon. This was the only tank I could find that was not on another complete lantern...and man.... If I got a donor lantern I would probably look for a tank to bring that one to life as well hahaha

The "new" tank is in great shape. Nickel is a touch rough... And after a few minutes with tin foil (I ran out of mag polish) I ordered another bottle of polish and decided to see if the new tank held air at least.

So... Mild citric acid bath and a rinse inside and out. No debris... But some pink spots on the tank so it's thin...

@Henry Plews thanks man...I didn't think I would be able to fix the pump...it works and holds air!

(Don't mind the 200a in the background... My wife is trying to clean up the 200a for an upcoming Yosemite trip and is about to get stripped off paint)

Tank is dated July 1925

 

Found a seller who looks like they had all the spare parts I needed and was pretty cool about haggling (I would rather get everything from the same person as it helps them out too)

And... Looks like next Monday or so and I'll be able to build this one up.

And.... No...haha....I am going with a green sunrise logo glass globe on this one... But did check to see if he had a mica globe (now that my wife is a mica replacement expert haha) but I think the glass will look nice!

 

Excellent efforts there @Remus1956. I know what you mean about donor lamps. But sooner or later you will look at any part laying about and use them

 

@Fireexit1 you're telling me hahahaha....last thing I need is another quick lite hahahaha

So.. The parts are cleaned up and somewhat polished... I'm not going to polish the hell out of it because then it looks ridiculous to me looking like a new lantern and being almost 100 years old..grime gone... But not breaking out a polishing wheel on the grinder...I think it looks ok.

It definitely holds air and the generator works so the rest of the parts come Monday...(Burner and the flat disk under it...washer spacer and the vent)

 

So its morning here in Los Angeles and the wife's got a nasty cough so we are taking it easy today.
Getting my stuff ready for the package tomorrow so I can complete the third quick lite 427. Don't have another mica globe but have this sunrise green logo Coleman that fits for now.
Hit the tank with mother's mag polish and that did a lot of shine to the tank. Got all my parts ready to install.

Coincidentally I got a package from Amazon with natural mica (I think the other stuff is artificial or manufactured mica?)
This is from a art supply store... This mica is not in perfect sheets with perfect clarity... It looks like the old stuff and varies in thickness but so far nothing is bigger than the old Coleman parts mica. She's going to replace a few pieces in the globes that have pinholes but I'm looking for a junk mica globe so she can have another project one to fix.

 

The parts arrived...and the only issue was that the pump leather needed to be replaced but had a spare. No leaks but the cage is a little loose.... I'm thinking on how to tighten that up.
I can see now how with the external pump how it would be an easy target for getting knocked around and getting broken.
I like it but I've become fond of the q99 and separate pump. I don't know why but I do.
This one runs nice and hot and the r55 gets plenty hot from the preheat cup. Having the glass globe is nice in a way as I can see what's going on while it's burning.
So....3 quick lites in a month hahahaha...I think I will try something new.