Won another Amish Petromax on the 'bay.... After my trials with the first one...you'd think I'm a glutton for punishment..this one made it here in one piece thankfully. Paid a grand total of $50 US for it so I'm quite happy with investing a little "elbow grease"... This one is up for a good clean up...citric bath...the tank had quite a bit of rust and flakes in it... Holds good pressure with no leaks anywhere. Burner looks like brass again...but I would imagine it's a stainless burner that the chrome has worn off ? No "nut and bolt" this time. The mixing tube has been welded to the hood ? This one looks to be set up for Kero (thank goodness)... Doesn't look like they use the pre-heater cup at all.... Looks to be a later model Petromax due to the lettering in the fount and the blue pump knob. Stainless Steel fabricated collar. Peerless globe. The hood on this one is in much better shape..not all cut up and mangled like the previous.. Fabricated bail.. Ready for rebuild.
I want that globe! Nice find! Aside from adding a schrader valve, I'm not sure what the Amish are trying to accomplish with the modifications. HD
The burner is not a stainless type, it must be more something "homebrew" by the Amish. It reminds me of the Hasag-like burners made of brass with a steel mesh. The mixing tube probably may have to be replaced as it look as if it was often glowing red or even yellow (nearly molten). The "airtight" collar may cause the tank to heat up more than usual, but if the lantern runs well and without pulsing that should not be an issue. The tank could be a newer one from Chinese production, but if everything is tight and the threads are made well that should be no problem. Tell us what it does when you try to light it! BR, Martin
FWIW, some Amish are moving from naptha lamps and stoves to propane. During this past summer, while "shopping" at the (IIRC) western Pa. Georgetown Road yard sale, several Amish sellers were selling their naptha cookstoves and naptha pressure lamps. When I asked about it, the reply was propane was the replacement. All the pressure lamps I remember were floor models made from propane tanks modified with long burner assemblies. I don't remember seeing any used pressure table lamps however.
Total Cost of Ownership, i.e. item plus parts & maintenance plus fuel over lifespan in hours/years of operation. It's also the calculation you make that causes you to buy a used Mercedes rather than a new Vauxhall
