Yes it's a box .. Since we're collectors and enthusiasts, we all need to transport a lamp from time to time. I would like to share and like to ask how you bring your lamps. Last camping trip it was a bit of a hassle to transport the lamp, because it's fragile and doesn't have a box-like shape for easy pack-away. A transport box for a Petromax 250 is hard to find, so the obvious solution is to make one. The box is inspired by the Swiss Army 'Beleuchtungskiste": A solid box with a hinged lid. The lid has foam patches to secure the lamps in place when the lid is closed. I've contemplated other designs, but this design offers structural strength and the lamps can be fixated, so they don't move around. The box has 3 sections. One section is for the deflector. The other 2 sections can have a lamp each, but mostly I'll carry one lamp and use the 3rd section to store fuel and spares. I'll stuff plastic bags on top to prevent loose parts from moving around. With this 'solution' I have a lamp, deflector, fuel and everything else in one single box. Design: -The clasps are on the side with the grips, so they don't take extra space at the front, which should make packing easier. -The color is white on purpose, because the lamps will be needed in the dark. When dark, a white box is easier to spot and easier to see into, than any other color. Material: -Most of the materials had been lying around the house as left-overs from other projects. Most of the box is made from 18 mm multiplex, which makes it quite heavy: It's 8kg empty. Yet it's very sturdy, so the lamps are well protected. It will probably serve as a camping side-table as well. -Wood glue mixed with sawdust makes an excellent glue/filler combination. Measurement: Put the lamp on a piece of paper and draw its outline with a pencil. Then draw the rest of the box around it. Then transfer these measurements onto the wood.
Building: The woods are cut at a 45 degree angle with a buzz-saw. This creates a large surface for glueing. Use a power router to cut a 5 mm deep circular base in the bottom of the box. The bottom of the lamp will be secured herein. Also cut slots for shelves inside the box. Then put the box together with a few screws. Then unscrew the box and apply the glue/filler on the edges. Then screw the box together with glue applied. Wipe of excess glue and let dry. Painting: The inside of the box and the shelves have been painted separately and put together afterwards. Thanks for viewing and please leave a reply: How do you transport your lamps? Cheers, Peter
Hi Peter What a fantastic box. Far beyond my woodworking skills. A few years back my father knocked up a couple of these boxes to transport my working Tilleys when we go group camping. They keep them safe and are easy to load into the car. Thanks for sharing your photographs and construction method. Your lamps will certainly be transported in style and in safety. Regards, Jeremy
Hi Thanks for your kind comments! to Jeremy: The design of your fathers boxes is very good imho, because it works! It's doable to make one, even if you don't have the handiness or tools. Hardware stores can cut your woods to size. Then glue/screw it together and voila, there's you 'transport solution'! I've put some extra effort in mine, it costed around 3 days to make .. I'd like to encourage every lamp user to make or have such a 'transport solution'. It protects the lamp(s), makes it easy to pack and everything for the lamp is kept at one place. To Wim: Please post it on your site, if you like. I can make some extra/different pictures if you like. I'm curious how others transport their lamps. For instance to Newark, how do you bring your lamps safely? I'm sure you don't just toss 'em in the car .. Cheers, Peter
Mine go in the boot (trunk) with an old towel or dog blanket around them. Boxes take up too much space. Nice workmanship though
I used to stick mine in a heavyweight plastic bucket. It allowed them to wobble and bang around ensuring any mantle was effectively wrecked by the time I got to the beach Then, being quick on the uptake, wedged them in place with something for the return trip, thus ensuring whatever it was (coat, scarf, car blanket) was nicely scorched by the time I got home again.
Hi Peter, Nice design and I love the idea of a double box. I have one only single box, timber, for transporting an old Guardsman my father gave me, and he built the box specially for me later on. It has piece of rubber at the bottom and a wooden ply insert with a large hole at the top for some stability. Holds the Meths and Matches on top of this. I have also purchased a Coleman plastic box for one Coleman lantern, but have not used this yet. Others I stand on the passenger floor upright and pack soft stuff around them. I also like your solution for the deflector.
Thanks Tony for the hint. I'll get onto it in the next week or so. I only recently figured out what the odd hood was.
