Hello forum, it has been a long time since I have added a post on CPL, as I only have a small collection of pressure lamps and a couple of heater's. I have all ways liked and wanted a classic Coleman lantern, the type with the barrelled type glass globe preferably a kerosene model. As I have a very small budget, collecting stoves lanterns and blowlamps is limited, but I had some great luck on the bay this week, I scored a very nice Coleman 639, and was surprised I was the only bidder. Being this is my first Coleman lantern, I have a couple of questions I am uncertain of if any one could be so kind to clear up for me. The above is the lantern as it arrived today, the first query I have is I have not got the manufacturers recommended lighting procedure/instructions, i would like to know how much pressure is required IE how many stroke of the pump is required to bring it up to full pressure on a full tank. And can the lantern be fully pressurised and then the regulator opened up after it has been preheated, or is it semi pressurised and then the regulator wheel opened and then brought up to pressure in the same way as a Tilley or Bialladin etc. The second question I have, in the pics above even though the lantern is in quite good condition, there are a couple of small rust spots in the paint as shown in the above pics, I was wondering what is the best colour match for the paint, as I am considering repainting the tank, not just to make it a shelf queen, but being as the tank is made of steel I want to stop it getting worse and to protect the tank so it will last for ever, ps I forgot to mention this lantern is date stamped 73 so it is 40 years old
Ahh i wondered who got that, these are really easy to use lamps, i use these and 237s all the time now, they tend to preheat in half the time a Tilley would, you'll not look back with that one, if you ever need a generator for it, give me a shout...
Hi Paul many thanks for your kind offer, I am going to strip it down tomorrow I don't think it is going to need much work it holds pressure the leather washer is in perfect shape my only concerns is the blistered paint spots
I best color match I could find for some of my old coleman 201s was the Rustoleum Hunter Green universal (and probably most quoted color match I could find on the web). And the missus reckons it was a darn close match. I'll see if I can take a photo of a couple of 201s with original paint and repainted after work this afternoon. I haven't actually had a close look at it in the last 6 months since I sprayed it so I'm actually curious, now you mention it, to see if color held as it cured out in the shed. (201s are shed lights for me now. Camping and displaying on shelf in the house - 249s, I'd display more but TPTB say otherwise) I have also read about a Krylon Hunter Green for pre '80 lanterns, but i haven't seen that in a store here in oz.
I use an Anchor 500cp., mantle on my Coleman 237 lantern as it forms nearer to the vapouriser and that keeps the vapouriser hotter and therefor the lantern works better. Jeff.
When I use my 237, I give it 20 pumps to start with and once the mantle has lit, I then gradually increase the pressure. I'm not certain how many strokes of the pump it takes to bring the lantern to full pressure, I pump until it's difficult to pump any more, Jeff.
When i light my 639, i give it thirty pumps. When its going i give it thirty more and that keeps it shinning bright all evening.
Hi KeroNut Jeff and K180 many thanks for all your valuable advice. I have some petromax 500cp mantles some where I am sure they will work,if not I will order some Anchor mantles
Here's a manual for the 639B. http://coleman.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/74455/1308166068/redirect/1/filename/639B700.pdf
The first 639 lanterns like yours were essentially modernized 237 lanterns. As your 639 has a separate generator cleaning lever like the earlier 237 lanterns also have a look at these instructions for the 237A in the 'To Light' section. Later 639A, 639B, etc lanterns have the generator cleaner controlled by the fuel knob. http://light.papo-art.com/tech-n-info/Coleman_technical/OldDirtyColemanPaper/Coleman237AInstructions.pdf
The Petromax 500cp., mantles will be fine and I tie the mantle so that it forms quite close to the vapouriser, Jeff.
Mr Optimus, A bit late but I took the pics today of my 201s for you to compare paints. The 201 on the left was scratched/bubbling/rusting so I cleaned and repainted with the Rustoleum Universal Hunter Green. I needed to reseal it as it was my camp lantern (until I discovered 249s, and stole the globes from the 201s for 'em). The 201 on the right as far as I know has original paint. A shade different in color, but close enough for a working lantern. If you find a better off the shelf match, let us know. Look forward to seeing how it turns out for you. Antony PS almost ashamed of cage condition in those pics. Really should clean them up. But they have been very well used.
Best thing to do on the fount is to bead blast it clean of rust and use a good primer prior to painting, something the factory neglected. The rusty spots can fail, especially if they are over a stamped letter or some irregularity
Rustoleum do a good combined rust killer & primer (black) and Kurust is also great for exterior rust.
Nice 639 Even here in Canada this model is not an easy find Honestly I would keep the lantern original the rust spots are not too bad looks like it's in great condition
i would leave as is.looks fine to me. put some metal polish or car wax on fount,it should protect it.nice lantern!
