I'm looking for an immediate source for the Dietz lanterns. I would prefer the 'Little Wizard' model but would consider other Dietz models. Both Cumberland and Lehmans will accept your order but cannot give any estimated delivery date. The lady at Cumberlands told me "Could be a month, could be 3 months, could be 6 months, we just can't say. We've got them on order but have no idea when or if we will get them." She was obviously very exasperated herself about this situation.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), February 20, 1999

Answers

Arnie,

There are plenty of lanters available here in Texas the problem is that 98% of them are V&O not Deitz. I was in a hardware store in a small town and they had the whole line (model wise). Only two were Deitz and those were made in (I think it was) Tiwan or maybe China.

The V&Os don't seem to have the "heft" of the old Deitzs. I bought one of the V&Os in a store in Dallas and the sucker leaks right out of the box. Oh well.

I'll be interested to see if anybody comes up with a source. BTW, Nothern what-ever-it-is has the V&Os in their catalog. Caveat Emptor

Anybody know how to seal the bottom seam on a kero lantern?

-- Greybear, who says "they don't make 'em like the used to", means it and can give examples.

-- Got Matches?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), February 20, 1999.

Greybear

Can you or can anyone you know use a propane torch to solder and braze? That ought to fix you lantern as well as pots, pans, kettles and tubs as long as the propane holds out.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), February 20, 1999.

Hi Arnie: I bought several Dietz lanterns In the Amish countryside of Lancaster Pa. - Several of the non-tourist type stores carry them and from conversations that I had with Amish folk they like them. (I bought the little wizard also becasue of the fuel tank size). This was back in October last year, but as of just last week they are still readily available in this section, according to a friend who was there recently.

One store was called "Colemans" in the town of "Bird-in-hand", and another was a counrty hardware store in the small town of New Holland. Both, I am told, will ship. Sorry, don't know the numbers for either since I just walked in and bought stuff.

FWIW, the Amish also use what is called tri-outlet distribution posts (lets them run 3 propane applicances from one bulk tank) so if you have a mind, ask about these too. They use propane (white gas)even more than kerosene for their lanterns from what I learned. Good luck, and regards to Mrs. Rimmer. Hope this helps, Rob.

p.s. I showed Mrs. Michaels your Y2K test thread and we are planning to do something similar before the Spring gets a hold. Thanks for that excellent post.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), February 20, 1999.

"They use propane (white gas) even more than kerosene..."

Please note: Propane is not white gas, propane is liquified petroleum gas, LPG.

Coleman fuel is white gas, mostly naphtha - no gasoline in it.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 20, 1999.

Source for Dietz - try

http://www.gardeners.com/gardeners/hurricanelantern.html

10" high, 14.95

No taller ones, unfortunately.

Real Goods (realgoods.com) has two in their latest catalogue: One nameless, made in China, sold brass, 5-1/2" base, 12" high, cap. 9oz, burn time 12 hrs, $39.95, avail. May, can reserve; ditto, except baked enamel, brass-plated trim, 7-1/2" dia x 13-1/2" high, 31 oz cap, 27 hrs burn time, $19.95, 2/$34.95. Latest catalogue has many Y2K-useful items.

Re fixing metal oil lamp, maybe that epoxy-putty type stuff used for fixing holes in metal water pipes, good, strong stuff, can mould to any shape.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), February 20, 1999.

Why2K: Thanks for the correction - One of them called it that and it stuck I guess.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), February 20, 1999.

Not that I listen to him all THAT much, but, one of Paul Harvey's sponsors is some welding product,..that is non-weld substance that will,'like welding', repair metal objects. Wish I could think of the name of it,...Caramba! I wonder if there's merit in rapid onset senility before the caca impacts the oscillating blades?

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 20, 1999.

Okay, I dug the package out of the shed. It's Oatey Epoxy Putty, "steel filled - mixes in your hand - hardens like steel in minutes." It comes in a plastic tube, about the size of a large cigar tube, and the metallic gold label shows through with "Epoxy Putty" in large white caps. Very easy to use, just pinch off a piece, mix the dark gray and white stuff together until it becomes a uniform light gray, and stick it where you need it. "Hard as steel in 15-20 mins, may be sanded, filed, painted or drilled/tapped in 1 hr. . . wet and dry applications." Uses: seal all kinds of leaks, use in place of ceramic connectors in electrical work, seal leaks in gas tanks and oil pans, fish tanks, swimming pools, fill rust holes/dents in autos, repair fibeglass or wood hulls, mend toys, furniture, broken handles, patch cracked dishes, reset cracked bathroom tiles, and more.

I've used it for fixing a broken pipe, resetting iron railings in brick, and resetting cracked bathroom tiles. Performs as advertised.

-- Happy Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), February 20, 1999.

There's a guy by the name of Tim Callen in Ohio that sells Dietz and a relatively quick ship. I haven't the URL but if you look up Dietz Lanterns or kerosene lanterns on your search engine you will find him.

-- Rick Reilly (rreilly@home.com), February 20, 1999.

WW,

Now, I know most of us ol Texas boys ARE overly fond of explosions and just about any rousing circumstance can be an ocassion for entertainment but the ol Bear is a little to fond of his stiny ol butt to try soldering on the dern lamp once it's had a volitile fuel in it.

Yea, I know, fill it with exhaust fumes and weld away, the Bears done that to empty GASOLINE tanks on cars when he was too young and too foolish. Actually had a welder do that once on a tank half full of gasoline - he was welding (brazing) a leak around the inlet pipe. I couldn't see exactly how he did it cause I couldn't get the binoculars adjuysted just right.

Old Git,

I think the metal putty is probably the only hope. I have a suspicion that because the crack already has kero in it the the stuff may not be able to get a chemical bond. Kero is pretty "oily". Will let you know if it works. We have used a product called JB weld. Daughter Bear regularly says she can use duct tape and JB weld to fix up anything from a broken heart to the Broklyn Bridge. (She gets all that bragging stuff from the MaMa Bear line.)

-- Greybear, fixin to fix

- Got Duct Tape?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), February 20, 1999.

That's it, Greybear! JB Weld.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 20, 1999.

I've also bought 2 of the 'no names' from Northern and they leaked. Can't find my packing receipt yet but when I do, they are going back.

The 4 Dietz that I currently have are lightweight, but rugged and they don't leak. So I want to stick with the Dietz.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), February 20, 1999.

Old Git: Thanks for the pointer to http://www.gardeners.com/gardeners/hurricanelantern.html but they also appear to be out. (Their web site says "Lanterns returning summer 1999")

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), February 20, 1999.

Nitropack just got some in also haunt your garage sales and antique stores.

EC

-- EC (JHnck1776@aol.com), February 20, 1999.

I was at the y2k Expo. in Waukesha, WI last weekend and bought a Dietz lantern from Herschberger's L.P. Gas Service of Ripon, WI. A Little Wizard. (I think their price was $25. Higher than Real Goods.) It really is brighter than my regular glass oil lamps. Herschberger's # is 1-800-261-5005. They have nifty little propane space heaters, too.

-- Shivani Arjuna (odnsmall@aol.com), February 20, 1999.

Nitro-Pak(TM) Preparedness Center in Utah catologs them. Check availability @ 1-800-866-4876. HTH, Rich

-- Rich Miller (rmiller2@ix.netcom.com), February 20, 1999.

I ordered a lantern from Lehmans in oct. Just got it last week. If you try to order one, you are in for a l o n g wait. Buy on sight!

-- Scotty (BLehman202@aol.com), February 21, 1999.

Our local hardware store is still carrying them. I didn't realize they were on the long await list too. When did this happen?

Close to Indiana? :>

-- Moore Dinty moore (not@thistime.com), February 21, 1999.

Just today I got the catalog of Cumberland General Store (Crossville, TN). They sell seven different models of Diestz lanterns, and parts. The catalog is $4. 1-800-334-4640. They do not carry paraffin, though, to burn in the lamps. Anyone know where to get that?

-- Shivani Arjuna (odnsmall@aol.com), February 23, 1999.

Shivani, I understand Wal-Mart has the least expensive, pure lamp oil. Don't get anything colored or perfumed, it's likely to smoke.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), February 24, 1999.