Coolest Flashlight Ever!! Restoring a 1930's Miner's Carbide Head Light (Acetylene Lamp) Restoration

In this video I restore this awesome 1930's Justrite brand miner's carbide head lamp. Defiantly the coolest flashlight I've ever seen, and even though it's really dangerous, I plan on using it every chance I get! In the video I also explain and demonstrate how it works. If you have any questions drop me a comment below!
If you enjoy the video please like, subscribe, comment and share!
Thanks for watching!!!
You can also follow me on Instagram @a.craftsmans.arsenal
The following is a description of the lamp from The National Museum of American History:
"This lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company, in Chicago, Illinois during the 1930s. Acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism. The amount of water flowing into the calcium carbide container can be controlled, with more water producing more gas and a bigger flame when the lamp is lit."
#Restoration #Restore #Flashlight #Flashlight Restoration #Light #Lamp #Lantern #Carbide Lamp #ToolRestoration #VintageTools #RestorationVideo

[@RobVaderful]

I am surprised and impressed by the brightness of this small lamp.

[@barbarapedelty2839]

I enjoyed watching your youtube, Thank you so much for not playing any music. The sound of your voice and the natural sound of the Restoration of your 1930's Miner's Carbide Head Light was very relaxing to watch.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you!

[@adamking3506]

I just found one of these at an antique store for about 10 bucks. Looks like yours does in the beginning, excited to make it look like how yours does at the end, thanks for the video!

[@AZAce1064]

Grandpa said they didn’t need cigarette lighters with those on their hard hats. He was a coal miner in West Virginia, later he went into shipyards working with asbestos insulation and smoked many packs a day and surprisingly he didn’t die of cancer he died at 89 years old from artery problems in 1981. Nice restoration sir.👍🇺🇸

[@montanamountainmen6104]

I can echo that. My grandfathers used these lights, I have few. They too went off to Norfolk to the shipyards in 1939-1940. Then they were drafted . Both passed, one in 1996 of a heart attack, other in 1997 of the same.

[@tailsdblack463]

Now i want one. Could come in handy while camping.

[@barbarapedelty2839]

Me too 🤣turned out really beautiful. 💛

[@tailsdblack463]

@@barbarapedelty2839 agreed im glad he polished the brass cause most would paint over that.

[@roynapora7683]

Excellent. Well done my friend. Especially at the end when you lit it and showed the audience how much light it put out and how focused the light beam was. Super job.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!!!

[@ronitsingh85]

imagine taking an LED flashlight back in time to 1930s, people would flip over. But man this thing is bright and the light travels quite far!

[@QuackerSniper]

Great video !!!! Badass . . . . COOL !!!

[@TheAir2142]

These little lamps are amazing. I recently bought one to camp with and it makes starting small cooking fires a breeze while also allowing me to choose how much light I want to some extent. If needed to you can also use the soot from the flame to mark rocks along your trail and leave “breadcrumbs” instead of leaving plastic flagging tape tied to trees or spray paint.

[@daddyjohn2131950]

AMAZING PIECE OF HISTORY!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks!!

[@bodeine454]

It turned out excellent and the light from it is surprisingly bright considering it's from the 1930's. 👌

[@dancoulson6579]

Looks just as, if not, _brighter_ than modern (up to the 1990s) incandescent flashlights. Certainly looks brighter than my 2 D-cell Maglite with a krypton bulb. I also like that it has a really nice warm glow. Nothing looks worst than the cold, sterile, bluish dazzle from an LED. I really admire that you don't change the functionality, just restore to original greatness. It lets us see how things used to be. Nice work.

[@WrenB111]

Great restoration. Our forefathers really worked in deadly conditions for a few cents a day.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks! And yes they did...

[@jub8891]

to be fair those few cents could have bought them a lot more than they do now

[@jesseblackhawk]

I want one!

[@timsmith1589]

That's badass brother, very cool piece man. Well done bro.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks again!!!

[@jasonahbh4880]

What an iconic Lamp, so beautiful 🥰

[@daemonwhitebeard6590]

This is the first time actually seeing one that works. Impressive just how much light it puts out for such a small flame.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Yes it is, I was really surprised by how bright it was.

[@kellycarver2500]

Great job, and more patience than I have. Beautiful light, too. I just discovered this fuel and lamps today. Saw a vid of an old welder still using carbide to weld with. Pretty amazing. I want some of these lamps.

[@KL-yt8hz]

nice video i whode love to see more old lamps get fixt keep it up

[@stevelusk2853]

Great! I just bought the hat and carbide lamp at an antique store. I'm going to restore mine the same way. Great video.

[@samipso]

Fantastic.

[@mrclaus859]

Very cool. Thank you

[@judechristus4278]

coolest lamp i have seen

[@jotaefeeme4657]

Magnífico trabajo ¡Enhorabuena! Gracias. Jesús Fernández (España) Great job. Congratulations! Thank you. Jesús Fernández (Spain)

[@ricardogaraycochea1939]

Felicitaciones!!! Buen trabajo 🇵🇪

[@NolaGal2601]

I didn't expect it to be so bright!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Me neither...

[@troyjenkins3886]

If you ever do restorations for viewers,let me know.This was prettty cool.

[@fasteddy07]

Wonderful job! I like that old DAKE you have in the back!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you!

[@jameshanoomansing1442]

brilliant

[@d.riprock1546]

Cool video. Justrites are good lamps. I always preferred Autolites but they're harder to come by. It's a shame carbide is so hard to get now. I haven't seen it since 9/11/01 anyway. I'm in WV and there were a couple of carbide lamps in every basement or garage. You can always tell one used in the mines from one used for coon hunting by the small 2" reflectors. Outside they'd use one 4 or 5". In the 80s we used to cave all the time and carbide is all we used. Eventually they came out with generation tanks to go on your belt with a hose running to your helmet but I always used an Autolite similar to yours. I still have 3 or 4. If you hold your hand over the reflector 20 seconds or so before striking it quick you get a nice "pop" out of it. You can take the lamp and hold it close to something and write with the soot but it's frowned upon in caves now. They're not as dangerous as they first appear other than the risk of burns once you get used to them(unless you were in a coal mine). They put out good light in a small space where the light can bounce off the walls. I'm glad you're going to use it. Where were you able to find carbide if you don't mind me asking? I'd like to get a can for mine. Hardware store used to have it but no more here. Thanks for the memories.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you for the kind words, the advice, and the story! I bought my carbide on eBay. If you search for calcium carbide you’ll be able to find it on eBay. I think a 1 pound can is going for around $25.

[@d.riprock1546]

@@acraftsmansarsenal thanks. I'll check there. That never occurred to me although I knew it used to be OK to send by mail. There was a business here in Monroe county, B&B Enterprises, that was a cavers supply store. Just a little old white country store(originally just that, Sinks Grove or Rocky Point Mercantile) that a caver from Baltimore started. He did beaucoup business from the 70s to the early oughts by mail. Dad worked in the PO and he couldn't believe all the places in different countries that he did business with people. Until a few years ago I could've gotten you anything for your lamp there but he died and I guess nobody was interested or able to keep it going. I guess somebody somewhere still deals in the lamps. They were still making Butterfly brand (imported and flimsy) and another, possibly Justrite, that was better quality. I'm sure some of the old guys like me would still use them because if you have carbide and a couple extra tips you'll never be out of light. I always thought it was funny, people who didn't cave and thought they were being proper said spelunker, which is correct but maybe hinted at some "greenness". Real cavers just said "caver" lol. Rebels. Sorry to run on. I hope you get many years of service out of your lamp.

[@Sodbusterrod]

I bought some at Lehman’s. Check online..

[@kens97sto171]

I looked on Amazon and found the big can of carbide also. But they didn't seem to have any of the actual lamps available. You can find those on eBay I don't know if they're new or used ones some of them looked in really good condition. I definitely would like to add one of these to my collection of flashlights. I think they definitely would be a good shit hits the fan type lamp. Long as you have access to water you're not worrying about batteries running out and they are surprisingly bright from the videos I have watched.

[@marklouienudo7732]

@@kens97sto171 hello, i have this in my collection.

[@wayned5872]

Very cool

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you!

[@serenity6415]

Excellent work. I like your format of narrating bits also. Your voice is utterly gorgeous and so easy to listen to. It's just like a friend showing you their project.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you!!!

[@gelleg1]

смотрел и завидовал, подержать в руках такую Вещь, а уж отреставрировать, везёт же кому-то.

[@patriciapimenta5084]

ficou super legal

[@dylangarrant3027]

Cool Video. I think old technology is so much more interesting.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks! I totally agree!!

[@EsotericArctos]

Sometimes it is the imperfections that make the restore perfect. All these items tell a story and it is nice to keep their story :). This is a really lovely restore. It may not meet modern OH and S requirements, but these were used for a long time in the mines. Admittedly a few accidents did happen. It was a risk that was taken at the time I guess. We learn as life goes on :)

[@henrikjorgensen1614]

Nice and a cool piece to have on your desk

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks! Yes it is.

[@Waynesbusinesschanne]

I just found your channel in I have been Binge watching your videos. I must say I normally do not like people talking over the videos but your voice is so calm and soothing that it adds to the charm rather than takes away. Keep making these lovely videos!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you Kimberly, I really appreciate that!

[@fechaed]

Trabalho de mestre, parabéns!

[@ragweed1496]

You have some great tools for restoration! Really enjoyed the video, really well done sir.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you!

[@ritalowrie1296]

It sure looked like it was bashed and banged around in its heyday. You did a great job in restoring it. Well done 👏👏👍👍

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks!!!

[@MrGlowhound]

Jyst bought one I'll be fixing mine. Thanks.

[@jnkellogg737]

Thy is a cool find. Very nice

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks

[@markschippel7974]

Nice video, thank you for sharing. My dad has an old BSA bicycle that has a carbide headlight. The lamp has a cantilevered spring that keeps the light more or less parallel to the ground while absorbing the worst shocks. Both still work.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

That’s awesome!

[@Jack_lBlack]

That's COOL!!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks!

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

It's always nice to have a sure thing emergency source of light. Good job.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

I totally agree. Thanks!

[@rickevans3959]

A guaranteed coyote class emergency when everyone has them and methane builds up in the mine

[@rickevans3959]

Helps burn off the excess methane I bet easy answer to who cut the cheese?

[@jasonleonard8118]

Awesome vid!!!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks

[@krovosystral8564]

really cool thx for sharing the video =D

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@shedmanx3640]

Loved your work. I have never seen one of those lanterns operate before. Surprisingly bright! 🇦🇺👍

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you!

[@oldcarnocar]

subbed! nice lamp

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks

[@tomasaguado7524]

Buen trabajó 👍👍🇲🇽

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks

[@angelarch5352]

wow!! love it! :D

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks!!!

[@rirkc]

I looked up the word "perseverance" in the dictionary and BAM, there is your picture! Very cool little project. Thanks;!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Lol, yeah this one took a while. Thanks Ben, I appreciate your comments!

[@dallaswoiken7533]

Awsome

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks!

[@skoalonguys6788]

Incredible restoration!! After seeing what you started with, I said out loud...”No way, I can’t be done.” But look at those results!! 🤟👍

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you!

[@The411]

Nice. I use a copper cup inside my carbide tank to hold the carbide. That way, I dont need to clean inside the lamp when I'm done playing with it. I just take the cup out.

[@Painless61]

Good Job Sir ... 👍🏽

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you!

[@smallbee1234]

Excellent restoration. From a historical perspective its the best flash light technology they had. I can only imagine how frightening it would be to first overcome the apprehension of having an open flame attached to your head and secondly if it suddenly went out when if you were alone in the mine.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks! Yeah, that would be pretty spooky to have the lantern go out when nobody else is around.

[@kens97sto171]

The thing is they were already using an open flame as lamps either candles or kerosene before that . This would have been a significant safety improvement. If you drop a kerosene lamp it often will spill and you have a significant fire on your hands period that would not happen with this lamp if you dropped it it might break but it's not going to instantaneously have a pool of fire all around you. Also I suspect it's significantly brighter than the kerosene lamps that dramatically improves the safety for the worker. And I believe if you had a full tank of water on top they would work for all day long..it's also not really susceptible to being jostled around or bumped and having the flame go out because it's a jet of gas it would be very unlikely for it to get extinguished by a breeze coming up through a shaft etc. I would think these might be dangerous in a mind that had a lot of flammable gases but that would have been true with the previous technology they were using also.

[@smallbee1234]

@@kens97sto171 Hey thanks for the very complete explanation on the function of the vintage lamp. This is the thing I like about KZbin is when you get informed feedback. Thanks again!

[@maynardjohnson3313]

The proper way to light one of those things is to create a gas pocket with the palm of your hand and move your hand sideways and spin the flint wheel with the palm. You can use it to light the dynamite fuse as you holler "shootin' coal".

[@hunters36forgingwoodworkin73]

Very interesting. I shall leave a like and sub.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks!

[@hunters36forgingwoodworkin73]

@@acraftsmansarsenal welcome

[@feedmytv]

did caving in the '00s and still used carbide lamps.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

That’s cool

[@lucasb1324]

It can explode but you probably already know that! Carsten Sweden

[@johnrhodez6829]

Now try to construct an acetylene flame microphone. (yes it was a real thing back in the early days if radio)

[@waderamsey9570]

When I was a kid in the '40s I bought one of these at our local hardware store, brand new, and had a lot of fun just playing with it. I don't know why they were still selling them, we understood they were no longer being used in mines, and we had no mines in eastern Kansas!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Wow, that’s cool. Maybe it was cheaper to fuel those lanterns than it was to buy batteries for flashlights at the time?

[@bodeine454]

Some people used them for different things besides mining like hunting for instance.

[@keung0308]

Cool video. I just brought a miner lamp and planning for restoration of the item. So I should prepare the restoration tools first. Would you please advise if there is any essential tools and recommended brand for development of the 1st mini restoration workshop. Many thanks!

[@thedude1292]

This is a cool little torch, wild how bright this thing shines! Very satisfying, well done and relaxing restoration as always. One thing that kinda bugs me is the polishing, it does take away the patina and used appearance of it. But that is just my personal taste.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks! Yeah, it is surprisingly bright. I definitely understand, patina can be really cool. I usually make a judgment call on whether or not to leave something in its original condition based on how good of condition it’s in. If the item is damages and needs to be repaired, then I’m more Ok with polishing it up. Because just giving it the proper cleaning and repair would ruin the patina. Thanks for watching!!

[@thedude1292]

@@acraftsmansarsenal yea i know sometimes it is difficult to choose what to do and to what extent, if i have to i usually go with a very light and soft wire burshed surfaces but that again is personal taste. Anyways, good work and i hope to see a new vid soon!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks! I'm going to try to start posting one video a week.

[@jamesbrownmiller808]

The best way to light the lamp is, by placing the palm of your hand over the reflector and let the gas build up a few seconds then with a quick movement rotate the igniter with the palm of your hand creating a spark as your hand leave the reflector. I use to use a carbide lamp to blacken my iron sights on my rifle during rifle competitions!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Awesome, thanks for the tip!

[@wholeNwon]

Now you're in the limelight.

[@matthewhopkins666]

My old man used to use a carbide lamp on his bike as a kid and he showed me how to make things go boom using it when I was a kid. Maybe not the most responsible parent showing a little kid how to make improvised explosive devices but he sure was a laugh and I still have all my fingers.

[@karvast5726]

The old man showed you this because that's how you had fun back then,it waw pretty dangerous but parents let their kid thinker around more than today

[@DisgruntledGrunt]

Don’t know how more explosions didn’t happen using something like that!

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

That’s what I thought too...

[@Zoroaster4]

Yeah they must have been very careful about stirring up to much coal dust.

[@MegaCAMARLENGO]

Muy bonita restauración, interesante pieza de la antigua minería, es una fortuna que la haya restaurado tan bien, volvió a funcionar. Like for you.

[@beargillium2369]

Holy cow that's awesome. Isn't acetylene the stuff they use in cutting torches?! How crazy as a light source, especially in such a hazardous environment! Looks nice and bright though

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks! Yes, acetylene is the same stuff that is used in cutting torches. It is super crazy and I was really surprised by how bright it is...

[@cosmolewandowski7860]

You know they make compasses with knives on them for cutting circles right?

[@anonymous4u]

Anyone else slightly distracted by the small bug that was crawling on the table? 😂

[@angelarch5352]

i yelled out, "Bug!" :D

[@nichterreichbar787]

Did someone know where i can buy a flint/striker contraption like that from the lamp with outer threads ?

[@CuriousLuddite]

That is an impressive restoration sir. I wonder how long the lamp will stay lit, with a full fill of carbide.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks! I have no idea I’ve never tried letting it run for very long.

[@Sodbusterrod]

Their catalogue lists 4 and 5 hour models.

[@shatterbrain269]

i have one of them i got recently but mine dosent have a tip inside that black piece so mine makes a softer flame not as bright,

[@willb5240]

I'm really curious about the sparking gadget with the trigger that you're using in this video. Could you, or anyone tell me what that is? Nice job on the torch too. Very cool. Thanks

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

It’s a Shoot-a-lite Safety Gas Liter. So basically it’s a fancy torch striker.

[@schlosserprofi8647]

Hi. To ignite these you cover up the reflektor with the palm of your hand so gas can acumulate in between. Than you press your hand against the strikerwheel and swoosh your hand to the side. The strikersparks now ihnite the gasmixture and the big flame ignites the main jet. And you probebly want to use a softer Flint. Like a red one from an IMCO lighter. These are softer and ignite better.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thank you for the advice! I’ll try that.

[@DaleRaby]

To light a miner's lamp with the striker, you cup your hand over the reflector and allow a quantity of acetylene to build up in the hollow, then briskly snap your hand over the striker wheel. You will generally get a soft pop and your lamp will be lit. Most lamps like this don't need to be anywhere near the maximum drip level, just five or maybe six or seven notches from "off" is plenty to sustain operation. My lamp never had a sealing gasket, but seals pretty well with grease on the mating surfaces. It is often difficult to open though, so I will be making a gasket in the near future.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks for that advice, I’ll give it a try.

[@tandr3w]

What was used to polish the brass.

[@trevorhaddox6884]

What material did you use for the gasket? I need to change the gasket on mine, leaked on me and almost singed my hand. Probably should change the crusty felt (the filter part) too, didn't think to just use a big cotton ball but that seems to work just fine.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

I cut it out of a sheet of rubber but I think a cork gasket would work better.

[@user-ps2ps4gq2u]

Excuse me, is the liquid you soaked in vinegar?

[@randyhiles3939]

Catsup cleans the brass

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Cool, good to know. Thanks

[@calvarycustoms6681]

Boy, who was the guy with the “bright” idea of mounting an acetylene generator to his forehead? Yikes! But I bet back in the day, the first guy who ditched his kerosene lamp for one of THESE felt about like I did when I replaced the halogen bulb on my MagLite with an LED.💡😃 Very nice resto, my friend! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Yeah, it was a big improvement over kerosene lamps. Thank you very much!

[@michaelshultz2540]

Should have used the softer red flint.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks, I’ll try that!

[@afterburner3999]

I Need one for when the electricity goes out instead of candles.

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Definitely!

[@kevinerickson2595]

I think spin the striker 180 degrees , should work better

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Thanks, I’ll give that a try!

[@kevinerickson2595]

I just bought 4 on eBay, got 1 today 🙂

[@ScoopDogg]

Lime light

[@randyhiles3939]

We used them to coon hunt with in the old days

[@highdownmartin]

No live flames down coal mines surely. Other mining less dangerous,no flammable gas. That's why the safety lamp was invented ,around 1820

[@Sodbusterrod]

These lamps were invented and used about 70 years after the safety lamp. The safety lamp detected the gas to verify if it was safe enough to use such lighting (or candles and oil lamps that preceded carbide lights). Also fine screens were used over the flame to prevent explosions. That is one of the key parts of Davy’s safety lamp. Another important safety feature was mine ventilation. The mines were designed for ventilation and additionally fans were used to move large volumes of air- strong enough to blow off hats. The 1899 Carbonado (WA) mine disaster report showed these safety measures were used, but a miner opened his screen to light a pipe and 30+ miners were killed. Stuff is only as safe as the operator.

[@andrewmichelson1640]

Did you only use vinegar to soak it?

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Yeah

[@l1qu1dsk1e]

Is that how the name 'flash'lights came about? Lol

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

That’s a good question! Maybe it was...

[@goatwhisperer5232]

The term flash light came about because they could only be used for short intervals, due to the battery type and filament design.

[@macmacc7402]

Hello, I fully admit it. I do not possess the skills or the knowledge to restore items like this. However I’ve got a few items I would like to the store. Can anyone reply to this with some recommendations on if there are craftsman that actually do this if I send them the items

[@no_handle_required]

is this where the term "torch" came from?

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Maybe... I’m not sure but it makes sense to me.

[@ainungendutz5697]

❤ Bolehkah saya memiliki lampu tersebut

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Maaf, saya akan mempertahankan yang ini. Terima kasih telah menonton!

[@DaleRaby]

I guess I would have left the carbon deposits (which are going to get re-deposited with use) and the dents rather than risk making a hole in that thin sheet metal... but it IS your lamp after all.

[@theotherwhitemeat4192]

Never ceases to amaze me how smart these people were now they don't know which bathroom to use.

[@hog1350]

Do you restore other people’s lamps

[@acraftsmansarsenal]

Hi Brian, sorry but I don’t.

[@DryLakeMiningCo49]

Brass wire wheels might be safer