I recently decided to purchase my first lamp from America,as I've always been so worried about overseas purchases I've never had the courage to buy from America, so I decided to pull up my socks an stick my chest out an do it. What a stupid, stupid,stupid gullible dick I am! !!!!never ever again. The seller description was, completely stripped an cleaned new parts added where needed. Nothing had been taken apart, valve stem packing non existent, check valve destroyed, tip cleaner assembly crushed an leaking, generator completely knackered!!! I've tried unscrewing air tube but rock solid. As Clint Eastwood would say what a cluster f-ck. Now I'm not a violent man anymore even though I spent most of my youth fighting tigerbay boys but aaaarrrrrr.calm Paul be calm. Can some very kind person tell me where I can get valve stem packing and a cleaner assembly? Would someone here have spares I can buy from them? Please help me. Thanks. Gozzy
I had no problems when I bought my 220E, but the 220F I picked up came with a smashed glass... I only have a spare for a 200 so that won't help. You could try Old Coleman Parts http://www.oldcolemanparts.com/home.php (US based). Was it through e-bay? If so you do have recourse for some satisfaction.
Gozzy, that is a very common lantern in the US. If you want a good one at a reasonable price from a trustworthy source, try the chaps on CCF. They will see you right.
Hi Gozzy1, The good news is, I have an unloved (by me) 220F somewhere in the shed which I know I have had lit. Hang on a mo' while I have a rummage. Right, the tip cleaner is all there and working as is the pump check valve but for some reason the on/off valve complete with packing is now missing. For packing, you can use graphited string - they used it in olden days, or use PTFE tape twisted into string. If you go for PTFE, use the GAS stuff, usually on a yellow reel and much thicker than plumbers stuff on a blue reel. I seem to be pretty busy just now trying to get jobs finished and getting sorted for Newark. Can you wait 'til after then ? Henry.
O God bless you Henry an yes I can wait, I paid 40 quid for lamp which was refunded but I have a loss of 75 quid postage an important vat I'm so bloody mad at myself. I had a littlego at heating air tube to unscrew but no joy. Any help from any good people would be a miracle. All I wanted was my first twin mantle lantern, what an arsehole I am . Gozzy
You are not an areshole for that mate - it happens. I got lucky with my purchases from the US, however, I did get absolutely shafted with a Coleman 242 which has just arrived with a completely rotten base.
Bloody hell expat I feel for you what a bastard nightmare, I have been put off buying from the states for years eventually got my gonads out an took a risk! Never again. 2 engineering bricks castration comes to mind. Gozzy
Coleman lanterns are often listed on Ebay UK., check out the links below. http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sop=10&_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=coleman%20lamp&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684 http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_sop=10&_nkw=coleman%20lantern&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684
Who was the seller? Sounds like the "Goose" to me... he goes by two different names and loves to screw buyers particularly from OS.....if it makes you feel better he got me when I was first starting out. With me it was bait and switch.
Gozzy, Mine was from the UK but thankfully, I've had a full refund (including postage). Hope you can sort yours, the 220F is lovely
i just wanted to mention that not all of us here from the states are not crooks and try to pedal things off at a high price'that is one big reason here even in the states so many try to pass off very good condition items at a high price than find out they are junk ;the old saying here goes you can't judge a book by it's cover as we have been bitten so many times ;i will mention as well that many in that so called CCF they are mostly want'a bee's who don't know jack ;i have been restoring and collecting for over 17 years and not once has any buyer come back on me;i am truly sorry that you have had issues with certain sellers here but again we are not all the same
If you paid by Paypal, I know paypal in Australia offer you a refund on postage on one item per year, no questions asked. I think from memory there is a limit but that limit whatever it is, is better than nothing.
Hi Gozzy!, Not sure you need to. With a slim spanner, slacken the nut which holds the frame down on the collar and then unscrew the pricker control & burner.
Thank you all for your kind understanding an i know not all seller's are the same this is my first bad one, will write more later. Gozzy
OK, state of play on 220, extracted screw driver destroyed check valve with my (tap)home made remover, replaced check valve. Found perfect fitting o ring for valve stem packing (perhaps someone can tell if using o ring is ok) it's not leaking! Now the crushed cleaner assembly, after a short look round in my brothers workshop i found (luckily )a hardened ball bearing that was just a smidgen bigger than the entrance of the cleaner assembly, I put ball on face of orifice few knocks with a small drift an it's reshaped, then I skimmed the face with a small fine diamond stone to remove the burrs taking care not to take to much as I don't want cleaner stem going to far into eccentric block, put it back together an no leak. After half hour heat and quench an a drill bit cleaned out generator replaced spring and packing from a new 335 gen. Put fuel in an mantles an it works fantastic (pictures to follow )I'm not sure how long cleaner assembly will last an I'm still going to have to strip the lantern.
Instead of buying from eBay in the USA, buy from some of the American/Canadian guys on this forum or Coleman forum. Only time I've ever had a lantern arrive damaged was when my dad didn't listen to me... 275 showed up with a bunch of broken glass. Most of the collector guys will give you a good deal. And the price will be low enough you wont pay customs
And it's goes on! Today I received a wonderful information pack on my misgivings from the seller in America, 18 pages of printed off instructions from the old coleman centre an museum website on how to strip a 220f an put it back together, he told me in a personal note he always follows the instructions to the letter! Also in his personal letter of advice he said I quote, "this ain't my first rodeo I've been rebuilding lanterns for years NO WAY underlined did I screw up this bad".then he said this! I quote "did you know that the 220f was made in millions an as such is pretty much worthless as a collectible "lol.i was gobsmacked! Then he goes on to put me down a bit more. So I sent a message most was about state of lantern but I had to say something about worthless as a collectible, so I said, you say 220f is worthless as a collectible in that case you are NOT a collector, just cos something is so common in one country it doesn't mean it is in another country hence "collectible ". What is wrong with people. Gozzy
O and on a personal note I want to thank Henry, what a bloody diamond that man is, his generosity is heart warming. CpL has reminded me the most important thing in life is helping! !! Thanks Henry an all. Gozzy.
Sorry to hear of these rotten circumstances Gozzy. I can assure you that not all of us yanks are shysters like that. The man is a fool for saying something like a 220 no matter what isnt collectible. They are reliable and well made lamps. A joy to use and sometimes "educational" to restore as I had done with a 1950's model. If Old Coleman parts doesnt have it, I can usually find something from an "auctionthat" who is an avid supporter of restoration. Be sure to show us a shot of it running once you get it all sorted.
Hi Gozzy It wasn't a problem. I'm happy that I've been able to help someone in need as others here, have helped me when I was in need. Henry.
