Is there anything special to look out for when buying wicks for an Adlake 400 lantern burner? It looks like 1/2" would do, but in the nearly years I've had this lantern, I've never bothered to get a wick for it.


Thanks in advance.


JAC

John,

You can get replacement wicks from a company called, if I remember it right C.T. Hamm in California.

I like to burn my lanterns regularly and I have found that if I use a new wick and use lamplighter Farms Ultra Pure lamp oil there is practically no odor. One other trick I learned is by trimming the wick in a slight arc, the flame will burn cleaner. Also, if you start to notice an odor, the lamp may need a cleaning with soap and water. The residue can start to stink and a quick wash does the trick.

I have also tried to use a wick that burned kerosene and was dried out, but it still stunk.

Scott

John, You might also try these folks, W.T. Kirkman at http://www.lanternnet.com I have dealt with them for lanterns suitable for Civil War reenacting. They have given me excellent customer service. They carry a number of spare parts for "Adlake Kero" lamps, and make a very nice and very reasonably priced "generic" RR lantern.

Scott, Gary, thanks. I'll get an order out.

JAC

Ah Yes, W.T. Kirkman. I knew there was a "T"

Scott

Before my old town Hardware store was "Home-Depoted" out of business, he stocked a good supply of wicks that worked on all types of lanterns. He had them in stock for years.

Despite the relative limited use of these items, the wicks are not as difficult to find as one would think. I therefore suggest that if you are fortunate enough to have one of these old time hardware stores in your area to check there also.

That web-site provided is very interesting in itself.

Regards:

Rich O

If you are near an Amish community there will be a local supplier of lamp parts and wicks. I have two such hardware stores here in Kansas and would be glad to put you in touch with them to solve your wick problem.

John Deck

if you don't actually use the lantern. It is widespread practice among lantern collectors to remove the wick from their collectible and display items because the wick absorbs moisture and can lead to rusting in the pot.

Matt Bumgarner

I've had great luck buying pots, wick, burners and globes directly from Adlake at

www.adlake.com

for the 250 and 300. I don't own a 400 ...are they about the same size?

All kinds of other cool stuff there too.

The 400 pot is the same size as the 300, but the burner is a little beefier and takes a wider wick, maybe 3/4" compared to the 1/2" or 5/8" on the 300. Also, the connection between the burner and pot is a different diameter, so a 300 burner won't snap into a 400 pot.



JAC

I'll probably get yelled at BUT I went to Wal Mart a few years ago and found wicks there. They were too wide but I was able to cut them down and they work just fine.

Joshua

I buy my lamp oil at "Wally World", it is cheap and burns pretty much clean and oderless.

A 1/2 inch wick will probably draft better, especially when using a signal oil mix (80% coal oil; 20% white kerosene).

I like the pure flame and pleasant odor of the coal oil - sold as ultra pure paraffin - but it will blow out as soon as someone opens the door of the caboose. The signal oil mix is not as obnoxious as raw kerosene, though significant others will detect the odor if consumed in more domestic venues ...

I read somewhere to soak new wicks in white vinegar and let them dry to get a good clean burn.

There's a guy on ebay who sells Adlake lantern wicks and parts under the ID lanternexpress. His name is Jack and he is about the happiest guy I've ever dealt with. He sells globes, lantern parts, all size wicks, even those for switch lamps in the original paper wrapper. Give him a shout and get a price.