Antique finds 20 Jan 2024 - Carbon-arc tanning lamp, mini-icebox, steam radiator, and motor...

This week has been good for me from a standpoint of antique finds!
FOLLOW-UP: The little icebox got a custom-built electric refrigeration system. Check out this video series: • Antique Miniature Iceb... Be sure to check that video's description for the follow-up parts.
The steam radiator also got built into an electrically-powered steam heater. It has a video here: • Antique Steam radiator...

[@johncantwell8216]

I liked the key-cutting machine, and the old phone booth with the enclosed blower. I remember the even older ones that had the exposed fan with the rubber blades.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks for your comment!

[@gregs9555]

Arc lamp is awesome! Such great finds!

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks for your comment!

[@2packs4sure]

The condition of that arc lamp borders on the absurd !! lol It's so fresh looking !!

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

I agree! Almost makes me think it was kept in a container for a long time; maybe part of someone's collection.

[@2packs4sure]

@@davida1hiwaaynet Or just safely ensconced in the original owners closet for 80 plus years. It's WAY to new... Nice score !!

[@ElectromagneticVideos]

Wow - that arc lamp is a real gem! Until you mentioned the ballast resistors I didn't notice them and was marvelling that the carbon rods provided enough resistance to limit the current. Stunning that it is in almost new condition. Your comment at the end about trying not to bring home to much stuff and become a hoarder gave me a good laugh - I have exactly the same problem :)

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks for your comment! I agree that lamp is in incredible condition, considering its age. Apparently they got one too many sunburns and then used it as a shelf ornament after that! I am doing my darndest NOT to become a hoarder and unsure really how good of a job I am doing at that! LOL

[@ElectromagneticVideos]

@@davida1hiwaaynet "I am doing my darndest NOT to become a hoarder and unsure really how good of a job I am doing at that! " Maybe we need to start a self help group :) :) :)

[@kimberlyalcauter7094]

If you were to add in a compressor, that would be perfect for someone’s kitchen! You could keep pop or beer in it and then you wouldn’t have to constantly open your big refrigerator just for a drink. I love that icebox.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks for your comment! I did build a cooling system for it. The link to that video is in the description of this one. It's a multiple part series. I also think the little icebox is adorable!

[@douro20]

Insane how much they wanted for that Globe Top.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

It was laughable! I actually talked to the seller and they told me they knew how it worked and that "this plug (the decorative cap over the sulphur diuoxide system test port) this is where you put in the KEROSENE because it is a kerosene powered refrigerator...." I proceeded to ask them a bunch of questions and let them dig a deeper hole until I explained that I was already knowledgeable about them and that it was electric and missing the power cord and that if they took that plug out they would gas out everyone in the antique mall with SO2. They called me an idiot.

[@Artemis22202]

Awesome finds! Thank you for sharing!

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@brianenglish8620]

Some fine purchases, thank you for sharing. I remember making a carbon arc lamp with a friend using a plan the science teacher gave us. Used D battery carbon cores and a pyrex dish filled with salty water as the resistor. ( Tin can lids with holes punched for attaching wires.) Thankfully my friend brought his father's welding mask for viewing!

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks Brian. Sounds like a cool project you did! Happy to hear that you enjoyed my video.

[@ElectromagneticVideos]

I cant believe it - I did almost the same thing, only used an old toaster as the ballast resistor. Saltwater was a common way to make high power resistors or heaters back then - when I was a kid we had a humidifier that had two electrodes in saltwater to make the water boil. Amazing we all survived back then with scarily dangerous things like that. In case anyone tries this - its worth emphasizing the welders mask you mentioned. The arc is just like that from a welder and the UV can damage your eyes quite easily without protection. You can also get a real sunburn from exposure to the UV from the arc.

[@neverstopexploreon]

That ice box is fantastic! Try an infrared light on the ink on the back. Perhaps it'll have a few clues.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks! I have not altered the surface finish on the back but I did attach a galvanized condenser panel to the back to use it for an electric fridge. That covered up the back, unfortunately. The little icebox got a custom-built electric refrigeration system. Check out this video series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXW8laSDp9d7g80 Be sure to check that video's description for the follow-up parts.

[@owenperkins]

That arc lamp is nuts! Very cool.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

It is certainly exciting, and something I would use for display only LOL!

[@kc5gym]

Build a "Cajun Microwave" powered by the arc lamp. Cook the Thanksgiving turkey with it!

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

That would be funny!

[@CanizaM]

Given that arc lamps were widely used for streetlights in the late 19th century, and artificial light was regarded as a replacement for sunlight, the fact that the former had the ability to cause sunburn was probably absolutely normal to the people at the time; I seem to remember some early incandescent lamp advertisements claiming "no sunburn" as a feature.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

That makes sense. People would have not known what was different about sunlight or arc light which caused skin damage.

[@chrisingle5839]

Ive got a Carbon Arc lamp as well. Has 2 sets of carbons 1/2" in diameter. All mounted on a rolling cart. I got it at auction from an old blueprint copying company. Never tried to run it, as i cant determine what voltage it requires.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

I bet that is a beast with 1/2" carbons. It probably needs an external power supply of some sort.

[@neverstopexploreon]

That green heater from the antique hunt was tuff looking.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Yeah, it was pretty sad but.... I bet it would clean up nicely!

[@neverstopexploreon]

@@davida1hiwaaynet tuff meaning bad ass

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

@@neverstopexploreon Ah, I got it! :)

[@CollectorOfThings]

I have a carbon arc printing lamp. 17a at 240v 50hz. Obviously no use for it but it's so neat especially with the ratcheting feed mechanism

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

I bet that is interesting! Will have to look for a video on your channel about it when I have a moment.

[@CollectorOfThings]

@davida1hiwaaynet I don't have it on KZbin but I'll send photos and a video to you.

[@CollectorOfThings]

@davida1hiwaaynet I don't have it on KZbin but I'll send some photos and a video via Facebook.

[@ofp8574]

That carbon arc lamp is pretty neat, I wouldn't mind making one. It's quieter than I would expect, I haven't really seen a carbon arc lamp before. I've used an arc torch with my stickwelder since I don't have an oxyacetylene setup, and I know when I'm using it, I'll don coveralls, gloves, even shoes, so as to protect myself from the UV light. I don't like being sunburned very much. One day I was doing a lot of tacking, for an eight hour work day, at one job I had. My neck was bothering me from flipping my hood down so much, so I just put on some oxygas goggles and closed my eyes every time I laid a tack or short weld down. That wasn't wise. That night, I couldn't sleep on my side, my face was too tender. Luckily it was winter so there was plenty of cool air. For the next few days, I kept peeling off pieces of face. I don't know how some of the old timers do it, or how they did it back in the day when they just wore welding goggles. I don't mind admitting that I'm not as tough as they were, that was an unpleasant experience.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Those carbon gouging rods are insane, especially when used with an air-arc outfit. The noise is incredible!

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

Nice antique find

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks!

[@mrjason9382]

Ty for sharing

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

You're welcome!

[@madmanmapper]

Oh that thing'll give you a sun tan alright. Not the kind that you want! More like a sun burn. Especially on your eyeballs. You know, it would actually be safe and maybe effective for tanning if only it had a sheet of regular glass in front of it. I have an antique ice box... now that you mention the gasket, I notice there really is no room for a gasket on mine. I think their goal was just to have the woodwork be precise enough to make a mostly tight seal.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks! And yeah I certainly wouldn't use that arc light on myself! Many iceboxes had a simple thin layer of felt on the back of the door and that is all they had. Didn't consider the benefit, I guess! Did you see the custom refrigeration system I built for that icebox?

[@madmanmapper]

@@davida1hiwaaynet Yes, I did. Wasn't immediately sure it was the same one. What did you end up doing for door gaskets?

[@Fluffberymoff]

Is that Arc lamp is certainly scary because what if someone leaves it closed completely and it causes a short circuit

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

It would be interesting, but I think the ballast coils are designed for that. It might just operate as a regular heater.

[@Fluffberymoff]

@davida1hiwaaynet yeah

[@jeff-pe4qh]

man up and plug it in

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

LOL yes, that is a quote from a good friend!

[@yoshinoyajones8924]

For the lil fella would you use a new or old compressor to convert it?

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks for your comment! I actually did convert it! There is a video series on it. Check this video description for the link to that. In this case, I bought a used damaged mini-fridge for the parts to do the conversion.

[@compu85]

The sound from that arc lamp is something else. Not something one normally likes to hear!!

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

It definitely does give off a nice buzz from the 60 Hz power supply!