You know it's always better to give more info than needed instead of not enough. I always enjoy watching your videos because of how much detail you go into describing how things work.
@wildbill23c
8 жыл бұрын
I agree, heck if he would have video taped tearing the whole lamp apart, cleaning it and explaining the parts and pieces and putting it back together then demonstrating how it worked I'd be watching it still. These types of things are extremely interesting, especially when you have never seen or used something before.
@ShaneMatthews27
8 жыл бұрын
+William Todd (williamtodd) yeah these things are so cool. These super old things Made many many years ago that I didn't even know existed.
@timhyatt9185
8 жыл бұрын
my grandparents were inveterate antique-hounds, so had all sorts of quirky little things around to fascinate a young boy...i wasn't allowed to touch the glass or porcelain items, but things of brass and such, were fair game.. Grandpa would sit down with me and patiently explain what it was and how it worked and even show me how it came apart and went back together if I was having trouble with it... Seeing the bashed reflector, the "fixer" part of me wants to try to put it on a leather bowl-raising bag and see if it can be tapped back into shape, but the "collector" part of me argues that is part of it's history so it should be left as is.....
@I_leave_mean_comments
8 жыл бұрын
You say "I know I'm chattering a bit too much..." But you're not! Thats what I like about your videos. I WANT to hear all the little anecdotes and tangents, it's my favorite part.
@I_leave_mean_comments
8 жыл бұрын
Also, when it comes to insults on the internet... its tough to get used to, but if you ask anyone who does videos, or writes articles, or does anything online - you WILL be bombarded with insults no matter what you say, so don't even worry about it. Theres something about the anonymity of the internet. Best to just ignore it.
@mrpete222
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@mrpete222
8 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@PeterWMeek
8 жыл бұрын
Ditto. I like the asides and chatter. I wish I could make my own videos better with something similar.
@tomscorner3838
8 жыл бұрын
You chatter away as much as you like.
@vmitchinson
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the recall of childhood memories. We had those lamps at the coal mines in Alberta when where I grew up. The flow of water was used to adjust the size of the flame. If you filled the bottom the flame would last 8 hours, so long as you did not add too much water. To light it you sealed the reflector with the palm of your hand and when the space was full of gas you would swiftly slide your hand across the flint wheel and light the flame. When you are in mine in 100% total darkness these were quite bright.
@cgis123
8 жыл бұрын
I like the long drawn out rambling explanations you give things. The way a man explains his passions says something about him, and I like to know who I'm learning from. Matt
@ryelor123
6 жыл бұрын
What kind of loser complains about him giving too much information about things!? If you don't want information, then go watch regular TV.
@mrpete222
6 жыл бұрын
+ryelor123 thank you for your support
@cdmChase1
4 жыл бұрын
I loved this video! people are stupid.
@djbishop30189
3 жыл бұрын
Amen!
@hendonburgism
3 жыл бұрын
That's just how some people are. When the choices are say nothing or be a dickhead, they often chose the latter.
@dylangarrant3027
3 жыл бұрын
I agree!
@turnersparadise8368
8 жыл бұрын
"The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge." The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe
@mrpete222
8 жыл бұрын
I"M IMPRESSED!!
@BlackDogBlues4961
3 жыл бұрын
My favorite of Poe's work.
@spikeyflo
4 жыл бұрын
I loved your mum's comment "Fools Names and Fools Faces are always seen in Public Places". Wonderful and I loved your demonstration. It has given me lots of ideas about how to restore my motorcycle carbide lamp. Thanks from Australia.
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks yes
@mikec.1259
8 жыл бұрын
Great video! I not only saw them on miners helmets but also on antique car. Always wondered how they worked. So simple yet so functional.
@karm65
7 жыл бұрын
when i was a kid the old man across the road had a calcium carbide / compressed air cutting torch setup. I love the way you explain things, I would like it if you showed more of you working on things as well.
@mrpete222
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@markjaynes7151
6 жыл бұрын
My grandfather had an acetylene welding rig that worked the same way. I think it was built well before WWII. He was a mechanic and welder from the 1920's to the 60's. Many great memories of his shop. Your site brings back great memories.
@MidwestMotoRider
8 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir, we have one of those from my Grandfather who worked in the mines in West Virgina and we never could figure out how that thing works. Now we do and now it will.!!! Thanks!
@Tryin2FlyII
8 жыл бұрын
Great video mrpete!!! Please don't listen to those who leave negative comments about your videos or change the way you make them. For me the detail that you put into as well as other off topic commentary is what makes your videos & is part of the reason why I like them so much!! This video brought back pleasant memories of my Grandfather (most of you're videos do) I have his lamp from when he worked in the coal mines in Kentucky. His had a greenish film on the inside of the bottom tank kind of like an old copper pipe that has been leaking over the years, I have always want to see one work- Thank you! & Two thumbs up !!!!
@PracticalEngineeringChannel
8 жыл бұрын
Very cool. I had never heard of this before.
@RobFeldkamp
6 жыл бұрын
Old Dutch bicycles used these. (love your channel)
@pa_layman6907
3 жыл бұрын
I love this video. I have my dad's carbide lamp. He was a coal miner in WV in 1950s. I gave the lamp to my grandson and wanted to be able to explain to him how it works. This video is great.
@mrpete222
3 жыл бұрын
👍👍
@libertarianlife3651
7 жыл бұрын
Carbide, what a marvelous discovery that was. From early head lights on cars and trains, to farm protection devises. The ZON gun was carbide, used to scare starlings out of cherry orchards and other wildlife, as well as toy cannon. Take that pc crowd.
@Zaque-TV
2 жыл бұрын
🤣
@kenwolfe6093
8 жыл бұрын
I don't understand why the people that complain about the way you chat in your videos don't know how to use fast forward! I love to hear the stories that come with your experiences. Just keep doing what you do.....if they really didn't like it, they wouldn't watch!!!
@hootinouts
4 жыл бұрын
I love what you say about smells Mr. Pete. The smell of machine shops, old hardware stores, sawdust, new oil based paint, etc are things only us older guys can appreciate.
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
👍👍👍
@ishnifusmeadle
7 жыл бұрын
funny. a friend and I were just talking about these. of course we are both young enough that the world was weeelll into battery powered flashlights by the time we came along. not quite 30. you remind me of a substitute teacher I had while in high school. many kids thought he was a tad crazy, weird, he never followed the lesson plans that we were suppose to be learning....... the thing is, I learned (actually learned not just memorized) more from that gentleman than all the other teachers combined. my point is, keep up the good work, and stay off topic, side rants keep things from becoming too stale.
@LuxLightly
4 жыл бұрын
I recently purchased of one these for my dad(a big history buff and volunteer tour guide at a nearby PA coal mine) for his birthday. So thankful to have an in depth video about what each piece does and how it works as a whole. Thanks so much!
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I’m glad you like the video
@downunderwest2501
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for yet another video that brings back memories from bygone times, when life seemed so much simpler! As youngsters we made a hole in the bottom of a coffee tin the type with a press on lid, the hole was made with a three inch nail, just the right size, spat on the pebble of carbide in the bottom of the tin quickly pressed in the lid, then held the tin under your foot and held a burning match at the hole in the back of the tin. With a big bang the lid would get blown of the tin for the process to be repeated over and over again. What fun we had for a few pennies! .
@toddanonymous5295
8 жыл бұрын
Mr Pete, I vote to keep the chatter. Your stories and experiences make learning fun. This is what distinguishes great teachers like you from average ones.
@georgehoffman5665
8 жыл бұрын
I worked as a flame hardener for 15 years. we made our own acetylene using 2 to 3 thousands pnds. of carbide a day. the byproduct was lime that white stuff we sold to farmers.
@terranceway
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Tubalcain, I love seeing and hearing how the old tools work and were used the stories that are shared along the way.
@harirao12345
8 жыл бұрын
Your videos are just amazing!!! Please keep them coming. I am just blown away by the amount of knowledge you have.
@mrpete222
8 жыл бұрын
Thank you--I will run for president
@Aristocob
8 жыл бұрын
Great video. My father-in-law had a little country hardware store that had dozens of old, unsold cans of carbide and my young brother-in-law and I used to fill pope (soda) bottles half full of water and drop a couple chunks of carbide into them and recap them with a cap that we punched a small hole in. We'd then light them and float them in the unused flooded basement of their warehouse and sink them with a bb gun. They would burst into a flash and away they would sink. Fun times. Thanks for regenerating that memory. Scott
@jwills8606
4 жыл бұрын
When I was young, we took cans with press-in lids, like paint cans or old syrup cans, and put a hole in the side, spit on a grain of carbide, threw it inside the can and closed the lid. Then you lay the can on its side, put your foot on it to hold it, and put a match to the hole. It would blow the lid twenty feet with a very satisfying accompanying BANG! Country kids had a much better life than city kids, no question about it.
@sergior.carreno5568
4 жыл бұрын
I used to do the same thing with my grandpa. He also used the same method to get rid of ant holes,,from his cabin property.
@millray38
8 жыл бұрын
We used these carbide lamps to blacken our rifle sights when I was on the Army rifle team in 1963. Simple and always seemed to work. Interesting to see one in operation again. Thanks.
@jamesberlo4298
7 жыл бұрын
That is so cool , I always wanted to know how they worked. And yes I appreciate when you go into complete detail.
@derekspender1303
8 жыл бұрын
Many thanks for a great video which takes me back a bit. Working in a country garage in the 1950/60's we used carbide for our oxy-acetylene plant. It was cheaper than paying for cartage on cylinders. It was the reverse of the lamp. Water in the bottom and carbide on top. An automatic valve controlled the drop of the carbide to keep the pressure constant. It went several months between clean outs. I remember at least one customer collected the white goop and used it to white wash his house. I don't remember how successful it was. One of your correspondents mentioned an acetylene cannon. A local orchardist used one three or four miles from us and it could be heard very distinctly. In fact the whole town was up in arms about it. He brought it into us for service. It was basically a car ignition circuit with a battery, coil, points and spark plug. When the acetylene got to a preset pressure it would trigger the points and the cannon would go BOOM!
@konde888
4 жыл бұрын
OMG, my memory went back at about 60 years. Thanks for the video.
@notseb
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for this! My father was telling me about the house he lived in when he was a kid - it had a carbide tank that fed acetylene to lamps all over the house. I came across your video when I was trying to learn more about that. Now I know what made it work!!!
@mrberryman
2 жыл бұрын
Fantastic, I loved all the detail and the reminiscences. Anyone who doesn't can always click off! Thank you.
@robertfrazier7491
8 жыл бұрын
I am your age and I always enjoy and learn from your videos. But there are videos like this that take me back to my youth and I really like that. Keep up the good work.
@myronlubman1051
6 жыл бұрын
I am a long time watcher of your videos. When I was a kid[75 now]; I did not have a carbide lamp but I had access to plenty of calcium carbide rocks. My dad worked for Glenn L Martin Aircraft in Baltimore. He would bring home all sorts of items that Martin would not have a use for. We used to gather empty liquor bottles from the waterfront areas and fill them with enough pebbles to sink the bottles in Baltimore harbor. We would put some carbide in the bottle, add water , screw the caps back on quickly and throw them into the water. The resulting explosions would bring up fish and crabs that were close to our "Depth Charges". Easy fishing.
@mrpete222
6 жыл бұрын
Good story--we did equally neat (stupid) stunts as well. My dad worked for Martin in Omaha (1944). Thats where they modified the bomb bay for the BIG BOY. I am 74
@Cavemannspace
8 жыл бұрын
Hey Tubalcain! That was fun. I'm a former caver and have a few carbide lamps. Guy's Dropper were good lamps usually, many cavers used them. Other good ones were Autolight (or was that Autolite?), older brass Justrite, Premier, and now Petzel. I think I spelled that right. There wee many, many other brands during the early days of mining. The first plastic Justrites were bombs! They were dangerous and very unreliable at best. Cavers wrote a song about them that is quite amusing. The chorus goes like this: "Plastic Justrite, Plastic Justrite, melted on the front of my hardhat. Shoulda known better than to ever trust you If I get outta here I'll stomp and bust you Underneath my Jeep I'll squash you flat." I have a couple of plastic Justrites like yours too and have used them hand held. Just to answer your question (and a little more) about an adjustment on the office, there is no flame adjustment on any kind of the brands of lamps I've ever seen. The only adjustment was done slightly by drip rate. Usually a hot bottom indicates too much water as does a flame longer than about an inch and a half to inch and three quarters. Cavers prefer flames that stay about that length and do not mess with water drip rates to lead to any more. That can lead to too much pressure and shortened the burn time per carbide charge. The idea is to get a good usable flame length and as much time out of the charge as possible. Too much pressure would cause the acetylene to force its way through the needle valve and bubble through the water chamber. This would cause some lamps to blow the water cover open or as in most types would squirt water through a pressure relief hole in the lid of the water chamber. Sometimes that would happen if the caver had to jump or somehow the lamp suddenly got jared by the helmet getting bumped off the wall or ceiling which would cause the water drop to go into the bottom faster than the desired drip rate. Bump your helmet and accidentally squirt you buddy. Kind of funny, usually no one got hurt at all. As you know, the little foam filter used to be felt filters to keep solids out of the orifice and allow the acetylene to pass to the orifice. It also acted as a pressure regulator for an even flame length. You strike me as one who likes detailed information (so do I) so I'll add some other comments. Most caves are somewhat cooler than the three season warmer climates in the USA. Hypothermia can be a real threat even in the summertime if things go wrong. Having a carbide lamp as a back-up tucked in your cave pack along with a heavy gage garbage bag could actually be a lifesaver, if not just to keep you from getting chilled. Acetylene burns much hotter than a candle flame and will help warm you up, having cut a hole in the bottom of the garbage bag for your head and sitting in it with the lamp carefully positioned between your feet holds the heat. Try to get it to vent behind your head so that you don't have to breath the fumes. It is a portable heat tent. The trick is not to set fire to the garbage bag, or anything else for that matter, or you will get too hot too quick and after that you will get cold again. :-) When your lamp was temporarily extinguished by a waterfall, got blown out somehow, or you just didn't have a flint or the striker was waterlogged, another caver could light your lamp with the flame from their lamp. Since the lamps are on the helmets the two cavers would simply align the lamps face to face. This was called the caver's kiss due only to the close proximity of the cavers. Sometimes the caver would say "give me a kiss" and simply hold the lamp in their hand up to another caver's lamp on their helmet. Maybe that reminded you of the experiences you had back in the GODD ol' days. Hope you enjoyed at least a little of that anyway.
@spp-wv2ob
8 жыл бұрын
What GREAT fun!!! Reminds me of when a buddy and I got a job as cave guides at a tourist cave in the Black Hills of South Dakota for 2 summers in the 1950's. The "job" paid $50/month which included 3 meals a day, a bunk house space, and a trip into town once a month for a bath. Otherwise we "bathed" in a canyon creek ... kind of. Meanwhile your videos educate and always entertain. Pay no attention to those who make negative comments. They're just jealous of all your fun. EVERYBODY else loves our shop teachers tangents, poetry,reminisces, and all. Jack
@roydodd8717
8 жыл бұрын
I live in central California and since there are no mines within a hundred miles, had no way of ever seeing one of these. However, in the late 40's, very early 50's, some Walker County, Alabama relatives came to visit and one of my Grand Uncles was a coal miner from one of the many mines in that area. His grandkids got their hands on one of his Carbide lamps and we had a fine time playing with it. In your video, you mentioned the odor coming from these lamps; although it's been perhaps 65 years, I can STILL remember that distinct odor. BY THE WAY; I love your explanations and voiced descriptions, I never get tired of listening to someone who knows what they're talking about. KEEP IT UP, I don't think you talk too much, shame on the one's that do.
@jwills8606
4 жыл бұрын
When I was a teenager growing up in the mountains of West Virginia, I loved to "coon hunt. We hunted in groups; at least half of us used carbide lamps, and at least one always had a lamp with an 8" reflector. They threw out an amazing amount of light. Some of the old rural farmhouses had buried carbide tanks and carbide lighting inside the house. One of the biggest manufacturers of calcium carbide was, yes, Union Carbide outside Charleston. Great memories. Thanks for bringing them back.
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
Yes 👍👍
@d.riprock1546
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video memories. We dug out old carbide miners lights and explored caves in SE WV for years in the late 70s and 80s. I had an Autolite that someone in my moms family used in the mines 60 or more years prior. It never let me down. Your mention of the smell made me smile. Another reason for a teenage boy to find them amusing. I'm not sure if it's still open but B&B Enterprises in Sinks Grove WV(24976) used to stock those Justrite lamps you had and every part to get an old vintage lamp going. Thanks again.
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
We used to buy our carbide in a can marked union carbide. We bought that and our gun powder at herckes Hardware. On our way to the caves.
@8832638
8 жыл бұрын
Loved the very educational video and extra comments filled with additional info! I've purchased several of these lanterns and carbide at antique stores but had no idea how to operate them until now. Couldn't believe there was an instructional video on it! Thanks!
@donaldbennett8627
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for doing this one. I've had one of these in my basement for 20 years and had no idea how it worked. It originally belonged to my grandfather, who at one time he was a coal miner in Southern Illinois. Love your videos!
@mrpete222
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching--glad you liked
@firestorm005
6 жыл бұрын
You sir, are a great teacher, and it is a joy to watch and listen to you. Thank you.
@ramosel
8 жыл бұрын
I've certainly heard of the carbide lamp and it's workings. This the first time I've ever seen it in action. Thank YOU!! No problem with detail here, more the better. If you don't understand it all, you understand nothing. Edgar Allan Poe... Cask of (something) I forgot the name.
@PierreaSweedieCat
8 жыл бұрын
A cask of Amontillado, I think, It has been years.... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cask_of_Amontillado
@joebob3719
8 жыл бұрын
Exactly, there's no problems with your detail Mr. Pete, even your little anecdotes help frame what it is the device is for. I would tho suggest experimenting with tighter editing, you could get away with shaving a few seconds off a shot here or there, but KZitem ain't your day job so that is hardly a problem and obviously if it's not worth your time you just keep doing what your doing.
@PierreaSweedieCat
8 жыл бұрын
Bingo! Thanks for saying what I could not put into words!
@electrorganix
8 жыл бұрын
I agree too, cool video and info content, cheers :)
@bobauer4359
8 жыл бұрын
I never knew how these lamps worked, but I recall that they were used as headlamps on the first automobiles. Thanks for sharing this knowledge.
@mxcollin95
8 жыл бұрын
I LOVE all the commentary you put in your videos! I've gained tons of knowledge from all that you share so thank you sir!!! 👍
@jimsworthow531
3 жыл бұрын
The shared knowledge is the best part! Thank you; my grandfather was a miner and had one, he showed me how it worked. I can not find a good one and am trying to build one with some glued and some screw together PVC. The hardest part is trying to figure out a reliable water dripper system
@MrEh5
8 жыл бұрын
I have a more modern Petzl Carbide lamp and love how you can see way more detail in a cave over an electric head lamp. Thank you for bring back memories of cave exploring with team WISS. Don't change the way you make videos,they are great.
@Lee-qp6gf
8 жыл бұрын
Back in the day and if you had some bucks you had a carbide generator in your basement and had your house plumed for carbide lighting. I have a carbide chandelier with the burners in it. Each burner has an off valve if you didn't want to light that lamp. They were a nice white light and much better than kerosene.
@wildbill23c
8 жыл бұрын
Do they burn cleaner than kerosene lamps? I've seen kerosene lamps, but never the carbide lamps, would be interesting to see one.
@PeterWMeek
8 жыл бұрын
Much dirtier in fact. Acetylene, when burnt with an insufficient amount of oxygen, gives off a cloud of extremely fine carbon particles (lampblack) that sticks to everything. In a kerosine lamp (which also gives off lampblack) it tends to stick to the glass chimney and not so much gets released into the room.
@shadowdog500
8 жыл бұрын
I remember seeing old gas lights on walls in old houses when I was a kid. Never saw them used, but I heard that they were handy during power outages. My grandmother had them in her house. Her refrigerator was also really old and ran on natural Gas. Chris
@thefixerofbrokenstuff
5 жыл бұрын
I have a customer who still has one in their basement. It is now defunct, but mostly intact. The thing is about 30" in diameter and 4' tall.
@BikesAndRain
8 жыл бұрын
Great video! Thanks for sharing these things from the bygone era, that a guy in his 20s would never otherwise know about.
@josephhutchins2919
7 жыл бұрын
PercussivePercussion I'm in my 20s, I learned about these lamps as adolescent because they're related to calcium carbide which appears in some addition of the Anarchist Cookbook. He said he wasn't going to talk about the mischief so neither will I lol. Had I turned out good though I wouldn't have a clue about these things.
@cliffordfender1159
8 жыл бұрын
Lyle, I am old enough to be your (slightly) younger brother. That being said, I have experienced many of the things you talk and teach about. Many of those who watch this enjoy it because of the memories it brings back, and many because they enjoy learning about new things. Please ignore the nay Sayers and continue to do what you do best. Teach !! As always, your friend here in Wayland, MI, Cliff.
@willwasson8113
8 жыл бұрын
Wow! What memories you bring back of my miss spent youth.
@Mullicamanufactory
8 жыл бұрын
Fascinating stuff sir! I've heard of these lamps and have seen them, but had no idea how they worked. Thank you for the informative explanation. The more I hear about your childhood the more I wish I had one like it!
@ceptimus
7 жыл бұрын
Acetylene gas is peculiar in that it will explode even when not mixed with other gases (for example oxygen). Pure acetylene compressed to a pressure over 29 psi and subjected to a a shock wave decomposes explosively into hydrogen gas and carbon powder. So how do we manage to store it at high pressure in a cylinder for oxy-acetylene welding and such? The answer is that acetylene cylinders are special: they're filled with porous agamassan soaked in acetone or similar. The acetylene then mostly dissolves in the solvent and even up near the valve where it comes out of solution it is still contained in the agamassan till it passes through the regulator and is regulated down to a safe pressure of below 15 psi.
@mrpete222
7 жыл бұрын
I was always told it was asbestos in the tanks
@ceptimus
7 жыл бұрын
I think it is sometimes Asbestos. Wikipedia says that "Agamassan" was a trade name of the Swedish AGA company and that "massan" means something like "body" or "compound" - it says that the compound might contain asbestos, cement, coal and/or kieselguhr. Kieselguhr is also known as diatomaceous earth - a sort of soft crumbly porous rock formed from fossilized algae.
@josephhutchins2919
7 жыл бұрын
ceptimus Had no idea. Good to know though, i won't try to compress acetylene in my garage now. (A likely scenario for me)
@teddahrable
6 жыл бұрын
Many people tell me I'm much older than my years. I'm 54, but so much of my younger life was spent crawling around dumps, junk yards, just helping clean out old sheds that I am quite familiar with things my grandparents generation and, I too, spent a boyhood tearing things apart to see how they worked. Sometimes, they even worked again. I am truly enjoying this series.
@horseshoe_nc
4 жыл бұрын
I recently seen a video from Weld (dot) com's KZitem channel talking about oxy acetylene torches. In that video he mentioned that the tank had acetone and a membrane in it. He mentioned with a warning to store the tank upright, and if was to tip over, give it time to settle before use. I do not remember if he mentioned why the gas was contained that way.
@victororo462
8 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! My Father had one and we would use it for when we went fishing over night. We would bail the hook with chicken liver and use the flame to cook the liver a little while it was on the hook. this would make the juices from the lives release at a slower rate while it was submerged in the river. Or so we think it did, which probably was correct. of course it was also used for the natural and constant light. Those times can never be replaced or forgotten! The smell takes me back instantly With me and Dad fishing to fill his dinner plate with a nice fat catfish. I just bought a lamp from ebay to use out on the patio where my 100 gallon fish aquarium is. Thanks again for the video upload! I haven't tested it yet, it's still in the cleaning phase and I was wondering if the nozzle was clogged or not. Now I know to clean it and make sure that it is clear if obstructions before running it, thanks to your video! Vic from Arizona.
@peteb2
8 жыл бұрын
Darn memories! My grandfather gave me one of his old brass carbide lamps when i was really young just like the one in this video. I recall it had a rubber boot over the carbide tank probably because the tank heated up too much... I had the thing in my collection of kids junk for years but never ever used it or saw it working. I have no idea where it ended up, maybe my mother found it and threw it away? Grandfather had worked at many jobs in his life especially after serving in WWI including the Battle of the Somme. He told me that when he returned home and left the Army, he tried his hand at gold mining... on his own. His first effort in an old mine he was breaking out a seam of quartz rock. His carbide lamp with its very yellow coloured light made the minerals in the seam look like gold and he thought he was rich for all of 10seconds!
@jeffbanfieldsflwr3537
3 жыл бұрын
KZitem is an endless journey. I'm super glad I bumped into this guy.
@mrpete222
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching, I have over 1000 shop videos
@soarster
7 жыл бұрын
Mr Pete, I, of the opinion that the level of attention to detail you provide your audience is of tremendous value, those that are of the opposite opinion are simply less curious and less patient. Please keep producing and we will keep watching with anticipation. Your Fans.,
@horseshoe_nc
4 жыл бұрын
I personally like to fully understand how things work. That is why I like your videos.
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@MrLarry0001
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing! I live in Colorado and many of the old gold mines here have writing and/or names written on the walls done by the carbide lamps. I knew what they were, but didn't know how they worked. Thanks again!
@hillearybrown7083
8 жыл бұрын
I made a carbide canon and man it was loud, I also had a carbide lamp that worked great for cave exploring, but that was back in the late sixty's, Probably have all of the cave entrances locked up now, That was back home in Indiana Thanks for a good video
@MrSchoessow
8 жыл бұрын
I just can't understand why anyone would resort to insults just because they don't like or agree with what your doing on your channel. For heaven sake you don't have to watch if you don't want to. I enjoy every episode. Keep them coming!
@nedshead5906
8 жыл бұрын
I love those old carbide lamps, and the old kerosene blow lamps as well, I have some proudly on display in my living room. it's funny to think that miners used to walk around with an open flame attached to their head, you couldn't get away with that today
@ericzaiz8358
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for these type of videos showing how things where done in a bygone age. Will love to have one of these.
@mrpete222
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching
@creativeobsin
8 жыл бұрын
Never heard about carbide lamps, really like the way they function, so clever!
@davidgonyeau1825
8 жыл бұрын
Howdy Pete, I simply wished to note for you that Bic lighter flints from an empty lighter may be just the size for your miners lamp. Also, the product CLR, (calcium, lime and rust) remover may be just the ticket for cleaning the tank and pick-up tube. Basically any parts that come in contact with the water and or the cal. carb. Further more, the reaction between the water and the cal. carb. also produces pressure. This pressure will self- ignite the acetylene if it is allowed to rise too high. The original gasket on top of the water tank was more narrow than the one you made, thus regulating the max pressure inside the tank. With the cone shape and a wider gasket you could be getting more pressure than you really want. Thanks for the info and keep up the good work.
@mrpete222
8 жыл бұрын
Thats good advise. -- Diluted muriatic removed all the deposits, then I neutalized it.
@johndifrancisco3642
7 жыл бұрын
That was great! I have never even heard of these before much less (more?) seen one. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE the details. There are many places to find just a picture of something, but you don't get to "know" what your looking at. Here I get to know things. Thank you Lyle.
@gmcd6585
5 жыл бұрын
John Di Francisco also he sounds like jimmy stewart. This guy should get into narration.
@phillipsmith29054
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for a great video. The explanation and how you got it working helped explain the processes. My 7 year old son and I enjoyed it. Thanks for your great detail and see you next time!
@ls2005019227
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for another fantastic video! Your attention to detail is appreciated. Make no apologies to the keyboard critics; they're not doers or producers anyway....but they like to pretend that they know. You're passing along a tremendous amount of knowledge that many haven't been exposed to; and I thank you for it.
@aaronshepard3464
7 жыл бұрын
I appreciate the detail you're giving in this video. My grandfather just gave me one of these manufactured by the same company. I did not know before that there was a gasket sealing canister.
@mrpete222
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching
@TheresOnlyOneWayToRock
4 жыл бұрын
Shortly after a bicycle show about 14 years ago...I snapped a few digital photos of this strange device I found on a few old bicycles. It sort of looked like a forward facing bell on the front of the bikes. Asking my then almost 70 year old father..."what is that thing" well, he went on for quite a few minutes about the carbide lamps and their uses and how they worked. Thanks for this video.
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
👍👍
@RickRose
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Mr. Pete--I've got two of these that have been sitting around as curiosities since I inherited them from my father years ago, and now I'm going to try to get them to work. Will be a great thing to show the kids. You are awesome. Idea for next video: Gasoline blowtorch. Woohoo!
@namecollision
8 жыл бұрын
I had a carbide cannon when I was a kid. Endless hours of fun. It was really loud! I'm sure my neighbors didn't share my enthusiasm for it. I had a lamp too, but the cannon was much more fune :) I remember buying the carbide in quart size paint cans at the hardware when I was in my low teens , no questions asked. Now you can't buy a can of spray paint without an ID. Go figure. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Andy
@homeinthewoods957
4 жыл бұрын
I could listen to you talk all day my friend. I wish I had teachers like you in my school. I’m in love with these lamps now I’m gonna try to find one to buy. 🙏 god bless
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
Yes, by one. Thank you for watching
@stever4181
6 жыл бұрын
Good video. I love to hear the stories. It adds color to your teachings. Thank you!
@mrpete222
6 жыл бұрын
🤙🤙
@goldwingowner1983
8 жыл бұрын
Such wonderful teachings. i have never actually seen a carbide lamp but have heard of them. Keep it up..
@mitchelwiese2638
8 жыл бұрын
A very nice video. I had seen carbide lamps in various mining museums and wondered how they worked. Thank you for the demonstration.
@chemech
8 жыл бұрын
Brings back memories from my early childhood in Southern Ohio, where some of the old retired miners had those lamps in their garages/attics/basements/barns. The nice old guys enjoyed demonstrating them to little boys - and the odd girl, but we were too young to be allowed to use them un-supervised. And, back then, Carbide was still being made by Union Carbide in West Virginia, even if the miners had all gone over to battery lamps in the 1950s...
@seniorchiefharris
8 жыл бұрын
Fun and interesting video!!! Makes me remember playing with these little lamps and how bright they would actually work if properly cleaned and adjusted... I wonder what ever happened to the ones we use to play with...probably in a land fill somewhere, forgotten and never used again... Oh the fun we used to have with these little jewels! Flashlights are no where near as fun, but probably much safer... Thanks for sharing!
@MrGoosePit
8 жыл бұрын
I've been on the lookout for one of these lamps whenever I go to a flea market or antique store. Most I've come across are in very poor shape. Saw some nice ones on ebay, but they wanted more than I would spend. Great demonstration Mr. Pete. Really enjoyed it.
@UberArchangel
8 жыл бұрын
Never seen, heard, or experienced them before so thank you for the knowledge. I always appreciate knowledge from old timers because there is so much knowledge that most people never even appreciate or understand.
@ryanmcdan
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this! I just found one of these about to be thrown out and thought it looked super cool. Now I know what it does, thus making it even cooler! I really appreciate the details, but especially your passion for teaching!
@mrpete222
3 жыл бұрын
👍
@gotsteem
7 жыл бұрын
That's the price of fun... No truer words were ever spoken. Thanks for the video.
@MrJoeGarner
4 жыл бұрын
This was very interesting to learn MrPete, I never had any idea how a carbide lamp worked. Thanks!
@pyromedichd1
8 жыл бұрын
I had a cast iron carbide cannon when I was a kid. Big noise, lots of fun. Couldn't find carbide back then in S. FL so after I ran out that ended the cannon fun. Great video!!
@davidjames1007
8 жыл бұрын
Great video, my late father always spoke about them. Thank you now I know what they look like and how they work
@scottwood1143
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir, you have a wonderful teaching style. Just the right amount of detail!
@mrpete222
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much, that is encouraging
@jix177
8 жыл бұрын
Very interesting. I've come across a few of those down the years, but never actually saw one in action. Thanks for sharing.
@tomb1598
8 жыл бұрын
Love the presentation and the level of detail. Keep up the great work.
@davidbramel345
8 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! My great grandparents farm had what my Dad called a carbide plant, a tank in the yard, that supplied gas for lights in the house. I have that same lamp in an old cabinet in our farm shop, you have sparked my interest to see if I can get it going! Keep the videos coming!
@JunkMikesWorld
8 жыл бұрын
Lyle, I realy enjoyed this one! I happen to own a couple carbide miners lamps. I got them from my Grandfather many years ago. Both are brass. One is newer and I think he bought it at a garage sale because it was similar to the other one. The older of the 2 lamps was used by my Great Grandfather, Grandpas Dad. He was an English immigrant and he started working in the mines in the US as a young boy around 7 years of age. Today this would not be permitted however I am guessing this was happening in the late 1800's or early 1900's. My Great Great Grandfather was a very hard man. His favorite saying was "look sharp or wear rags". As I understand if he caught my Great grandfather messing around in the mines he would break a lump of coal over his knuckles to punish him. It just occurred to me that great grandpa likely had to hold his hands on something solid in order to break a lump of coal over his hands. OUCH! I guess the good old days were not always so good! All the best! Mike
@prsearls
2 жыл бұрын
I've never seen a carbide lamp operate until this video. Railroad steam locomotives used large acetylene generators for carbide headlights before electric headlights were invented. Carbide headlights could not be dimmed like an electric headlight so when a locomotive was sitting in a siding, a shade was pulled down over the headlight to keep from blinding the engineer of the approaching train. (a bit of trivia) I really enjoyed your video and hearing of some of your youthful adventures.
@mrpete222
2 жыл бұрын
That was interesting trivia
@general0ne
8 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, Mr. Pete! I remember seeing these lamps at antique shows and flea markets when I was little.... I never thought much of them, though, now, I want one!
@billfleming1409
4 жыл бұрын
Mr Pete, growing up in Eastern Kentucky, my dad used these lamps for nearly 40 years. He would use screen door screen wireto clean out the orifice or jet as we called it.. normally before he went to work he would make sure he had a piece of the screen door wire wrapped around the water control lever. Many times he would show me how to empty the carbide out , refill the carbide, refill the water tank, clean the jet and reassemble with his eyes closed. of course when it needed to be done underground, it would be pitch black
@mrpete222
4 жыл бұрын
That’s a pretty good idea. It sure was dark in a cave without the lantern
@veradovey6091
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for a great video..My near 94 year old mom used to maintain her mothers lamp for the pedal cycle..She would cycle 26 miles a day to earn a living at Joseph LUCAS in Birmingham UK from the Dudley area...!
@rustyrepairs2565
6 жыл бұрын
Well I guess I'm a little late to the party but better late then never. I just acquired one of these today and your video cured my curiosity as to, you guessed it, what makes it work. Thank you.
@mrpete222
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@koszuta
8 жыл бұрын
"Fool's names and fool's face are always seen in public places." Words of wisdom that still very much hold true.
@reesewawarosky1058
7 жыл бұрын
I've only seen one demoed while I was in school many many moons ago. It's nice to see that even missed used ones can be brought back to life. That's good cause I've pick up three over the years. I myself would of straighten the reflector while I had it off but that's just me. Good information.
@dwideal-with-it1204
8 жыл бұрын
Good video! I like the way you explain the details!!
@droddy2hottie
8 жыл бұрын
This video really made me miss my grandfather. For whatever it may be worth, as the video was ending, I got one of those drop down advertisements. What made this one special, is that it was full of links to calcium carbide. Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it.
@mrpete222
8 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked. You mean there actually was an ad for carbide???? Wonder how that works.
@droddy2hottie
8 жыл бұрын
Yeah, there was. I wouldn't have any idea how that works though. They were selling it as like a lab sample though
@hw5950
8 жыл бұрын
Thank you i have learnt something today even for my age, and please don't stopped going into depth with your brake downs.
@Hunter333444
8 жыл бұрын
Don't forget the fun you can have with a carbide cannon. We also used Ca carbide for a tennis ball cannon but probably not a video subject thanks for the videos.. I liked your moms quote at the end
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