New member tear-down questions

Discussion in 'Fettling Forum' started by Bryan Roesslet, Dec 4, 2017.

  1. Bryan Roesslet

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    Posting to the lamp forum rather than the stove forum, this time. To those of you watching both, apologies...

    Greetings. New member here and first post, so don't be shy if I need pointing in the right direction. I searched and couldn't find the answer, so here goes...

    I have two 1954 Coleman military lanterns I inherited from my grandfather. Both have managed to light the night, but not to the extent that I'd say they deserve the "sunshine" moniker. My thinking: rebuild time, clean house, remove lacquer, and replace consumables like washers and seals.

    Watching the takedown of the single-mantel model on this forum gets the fuel control valve off, the pump assembly removed, the generator off, and everything else loosened up. However, I can't figure out how to get the frame off the font! On the take-apart here, there's a slot in the bottom of the frame. Neither of mine have this slot, so with the nut loosened as much as it will fit under the frame (apologies now for the lack of correct terminology) I still can't lift off the frame.

    Any suggestions would be appreciated. My grandfather was much more mechanically-inclined than I am, so I'd like to make him proud but keep thinking he's up there face-palming my efforts at present!
     
  2. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

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    Welcome aboard!:thumbup:
    Photographs will help us to assist you.
     
  3. WimVe

    WimVe Subscriber

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    Welcome to this forum.
    As said by Jeff, pictures say more then 100 words.
     
  4. Bryan Roesslet

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    Thanks to both of you. I'll get pictures posted as quickly as possible and appreciate the advice.
     
  5. kerry460

    kerry460 Australia R.I.P.

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    G,,day . welcome aboard .
    please do not take offense at the following comments .
    the American wording " tear down " always brings to mind a quick pull apart without caring about what occurs to what is being taken apart .
    it is a difference between our spoken languages .
    i felt like expressing my thoughts . i have .

    please do not take it as a personal attack . it is not meant that way .

    cheers
    kerry
     
  6. Henry Plews

    Henry Plews Subscriber

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    @Bryan Roesslet Welcome.

    First, may I say that even when it's working perfectly, the Milspec is not a particularly bright lantern, especially when compared to other Coleman lanterns, so don't be too disappointed if it doesn't light up the whole neighbourhood.

    Here is an image of the bottom of the burner frame
    Milspec burner01.JPG

    So to remove it, simply lift and swing backwards. You'll then see that it sits in one of these,
    Milspec burner02.JPG

    Slide that piece out and all will be revealed
    Milspec burner 03.JPG

    Hope this helps,
    Henry.
     
  7. Bryan Roesslet

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    Bear with me as I try to figure out posting images for the first time.
     
  8. Bryan Roesslet

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    What I hope you can see is that I lack the cutout at the base of the frame.

    IMG_1387.jpg IMG_1386.jpg IMG_1388.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 7, 2017
  9. Bryan Roesslet

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    @kerry460: Absolutely no offense taken whatsoever. I'm something of a language geek myself, and find the topic interesting.

    Clearly, it's the "tear" term that might evoke a haphazard approach, in the same way it might in tearing a piece of paper versus cutting it - less care, less precision. In my vernacular, it can also mean moving quickly due to skill: "I was prepared, so I tore through that test." I think that's the connotation that caused me to use the term (if I had given it a second's thought). I lack skills and experience in this space and am calling upon those of others, so in doing so I was acknowledging that what might be a simple task for another is challenging for me. Perhaps a more humble or thankful approach.

    The nuances of language and their intersection with culture and social constructs is fascinating, and I really do appreciate the discussion. In an unabashedly American phrase, "Thanks for not tearing into me too badly on my first post!" :content:
     
  10. kerry460

    kerry460 Australia R.I.P.

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    G,,day
    excellent reply . i really wondered how my comment would be taken .
    fortunately very well .
    sorry i cant help with your lantern .

    kerry
     
  11. Henry Plews

    Henry Plews Subscriber

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    @Bryan Roesslet I haven't seen that variation before and now understand your dilema. Personally, I'd be tempted to put a wrench onto where the generator fits and unscrew it but someone with more experience may come along with better advice.

    Henry.
     
  12. KAB

    KAB Subscriber

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    Looking at the photos, with no experience of Coleman fettling yet (I have a 200A700 on the to do shelf ;)) I would go for the hex nut and rotate the whole jet and breather tube assembly and hope it is screwed into the top of the tank?? Then I would unscrew the hex nut from the square union in the frame??
     
  13. WimVe

    WimVe Subscriber

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    Hhhmm, I am on Henry's side of the table.
    I wonder why there is a clamp between the two metal "bridges".

    Is it possible to turn the whole structure, air tubes and bridges, to unscrew the generator nut ?
    I think then it will loosen up and release tension on the clamp and the hopefully reveal the mystery.
     
  14. phaedrus42

    phaedrus42 Subscriber

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    That does look like the way to proceed. The generator fitting will unscrew from the valve body.
     
  15. Bryan Roesslet

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    That'll be the plan for this weekend. Thank you all for your input and please keep the ideas coming if you think of any other hints/tips.
     

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