OK, for those who’ve been following my thread in the ATMB forum, here is a copy of the e-mail I sent TubaDiva:
So there you have it. I have no idea how much to offer as a reward, partially because I have no idea just how much expense obtaining such a lamp might involve. For starters, let’s say $20 or 20% of the lamp’s cost, with haggling allowed.
What you want is called an Argand lamp. This one is a bit pricey, but it’s a genuine antique and absolutely beautiful. I suspect that, knowing what it’s called, you can likely find a modern reproduction that’s somewhat more affordable.
And I see you knew that already. Shoulda read to the end. :smack:
http://www.theoillampstore.com/antique_and_collectible_oil_lamps.html
Pricey and no need for a bounty if its what you are looking for just glad to help.
So for Q.E.D. haggling starts at $2900? (And you apparently need a supply of spermaceti oil.)
Gives me renewed appreciation for my fluorescent desk lamp.
Unfortunately, a genuine period antique is beyond my price range; if anyone makes modern duplicates of those, the example you linked to would be great.
A lot on ebay some may be what you’re looking for under student lamps.
Lehman’s has a small collection of “olive oil lamps”, which will burn any vegetable oil. They don’t look like they would be as efficient as some of the antique lamps in the other links, especially without any kind of reflector to concentrate the light.
I’ll keep looking through those from time to time, but apparently virtually all such lamps were electrified and no longer can burn oil; or they are “student lamps” in style but have always been kerosene burners.
Nice, but not what I"m looking for.
A couple of vegetable oil lamps here
http://www.artofpewter.com/02_pewter_kerosene_and_oil_lamps1.htm
These guys may be able to help - still not cheap, but they can make to order!
No fancy glass chimney, but it’s cheap and you probably have one in your cupboard.
Can of tuna in oil, awl for pokin’ a hole and a piece of wrapping string for a wick.
Burns for 4 to 5 hours. Fairly pathetic flame and smells surprisingly…like fish.
But hey, you can still make a sandwich afterwards.
This is a brilliant idea. Do you mind if I do a video tutorial on this method for my website?
Pretty sure it isn’t a patented idea, have at it. A link to the video would be fun.
Great! I’m going to do it this evening.
You can also make a lamp out of a tangerine:
Cut a round hole in the skin of the tangerine in the bottom. This will officially be the top. To determine hole size, imagine you are working on a tiny jack-o-lantern.
Extract the orange segments* but leave that pulpy stem thing attached inside. This is your lamp’s wick.
Pour in two or three tablespoons of vegetable oil and let set a bit. Then light your wick and you have a cute little lamp. It smells good too!
*You get bonus fun points if you can get all the segments out without damaging them. It is possible if you’re careful.
Meant to add for Lumpy, I’m wondering what if you just bought a wick that can be used with vegetable oil and put it in a lamp of your choosing? This site says some of their fiberglass wicks can be used with biofuels. They might have other alternatives but I don’t have time now to look. Hope this might be of some help though.
Now THAT"S Macgyvering!
These folks will sell you a 500 cp pressure lantern for a very reasonable price.
The thing is advertised as burning everything from kerosene to gasoline to biodiesel and diesel fuel - I think veggie oil would be OK.