How to Convert a Kerosene Lantern into a Lamp | Ask This Old House

[@isaiahalbert1801]

People are missing the point, this lamp isn’t for when the power goes out, it’s stylish and a great accent piece that’s safer than live flame. These kerosene lamps aren’t expensive, get a couple for an emergency. Keep up the cool projects guys, you’re the best in the business!

[@randalllyons8467]

The electrician stretched the tape to break it! Nice just like I do.

[@matthewwolfe4509]

Might have to try this, have an old one that seeps around the base and just makes a mess to operate.

[@Asertix357]

+Matthew Wolfe Try putting some marine varnish in the tank and swirling it around first.

[@ryansansom6901]

As a collector of kerosene lanterns, I hate seeing good old lanterns being ruined by people doing this to them. W.T.KIRKMAN sells burner adapters to convert a kerosene lantern to electric without doing this to it. At least the lanterns these guys ruined were not super valuable. If these were old S.G.L.c, or 1890s Dietz lanterns this would have really been a big loss.

[@MRrwmac]

I'd keep the lantern kerosene/oil (for possible off grid apocalypse -haha).

[@RT_1989]

“Take a rubber hose.” What size? Where’d you buy it? What would it be called in a big box store? I plan to convert a lantern with the cord coming out of the top, but I need it watertight. Any ideas for the “hose” to fill the hole I have to drill?

[@Steam_City]

I've had 3 blackouts over the last 4 years (most recent being last night,) and my collection of oil lamps and lanterns saved the day those 3 times. While my neighbors were searching for candles and flashlights, we had light in almost every room, and on the front porch. I will say it makes me a collector, sick when these beautiful lamps are converted. If someone wants to make one of these, DON'T use a $150.00 1920s Dietz like they did! You can buy a brand new one at walmart for $6.00. I don't care if you find an antique one for $3.00 at a yard sale DON'T DO IT! put it on eBay and see what you get, you could get $100.00 for it. Trust me I know.

[@Asertix357]

Actually the Little Wizard isn't all that expensive. The good news is that all of the damage they did can be fixed. Kirkman sells replacement globe holders of all sizes, and a bit of epoxy can seal the hole right up. It'll hold less value, but will be perfectly functional again.

[@Steam_City]

Good to know. but they trough away the burner, are there replacement burners available?And no offence, but I have a hard time believing that epoxy can withstand constant exposure to kerosene but, I could be wrong. Thanks for your reply! :)

[@Asertix357]

Queen City Motion Pictures If the epoxy won't withstand constant exposure to kerosene, there's always POR-15 gas tank sealer afterward. That'll keep the tank from rusting out, and it'll seal any pinholes that might be present. Also, Kirkman does indeed sell replacement burners. Depending on the size of the hole that was cut out of the globe holder, one could possibly use the locking wing burner of the new Little Giant, which has the cone integrated like the D-Lite and Blizzard.

[@Asertix357]

***** I know, right? It's disrespectful. If you're going to electrify a lantern, do it with a modern one without any history. Use a modern Dietz, or a V&O, or any one of those other crap China models you get in hardware and big box stores. The good news, though, is that they didn't do a thing to the lantern that can't be fixed with a little effort. Some parts would need to be replaced, but that's the case even on ones found in barns and garages.

[@Steam_City]

*****, thanks for your reply. I wonder how many of us have left our comments, on why ruining old lanterns is wrong? BTW, have you ever been on the Steampunk workshop.com? there are some great articles on homemade oil lamps, they eve rescued an electrified angel lamp! Here's the link~steampunkworkshop.com/?s=oil+lamp Thanks again!

[@AdamAndBrittney]

Haha these comments. I'd rather convert a beautiful oil lamp to something electric that I can use and appreciate daily than wait for those 2 days every couple years that my power goes out to use it. To each their own.

[@daheick]

Thats neat but why not do it so you can put the lantern back the way it was. This way it has been destroyed. All you have to do is run the wire through one of the air holes and mount a socket above the wick leaving the wick in place.

[@ronaldyudoadityo8192]

Is there a way to make the glass frosty look? thanx

[@matthewmfreeman1235]

This was just so cool and neat

[@TheMixmastamike1000]

Awesome!👍👍

[@andyneipert2527]

Wut do I need to make wun of these?

[@srbw62]

If you are going to do a how to for the general public you need to be more specific about polarity and the importance to keep the hot conductor on the center of the socket and the neutral on the screw shell You didn't mention the rib on the outside of on conductor of the lamp cord so you determine one conductor from the other and it looks like the plug is not polarized either. and at least tie a lampers knot inside the fixture

[@phxtonash]

does that makes it safer?

[@srbw62]

+phxtonash Yes it dose you don't want your fingers near live parts meaning the screw shell ,and the lampers knot will keep cord tension from the socket terminals, not to mention metal parts need to be grounded

[@phxtonash]

+Scott Williams thx

[@expirydate2000]

+Scott Williams I think in a few minutes of TV, they can't show everything, but is what the electrician did legal in America? It's very strange to see a metal item wired up without a ground.

[@rakselectric7390]

expirydate2000 agreed

[@mikepeirson1150]

No ground wire??.

[@phxtonash]

now when the lights go out your screwed.

[@wingman2k]

+phxtonash Yeah, i thought that's the whole reason why these are kept around.

[@Maxid1]

+phxtonash And when the power is on, you can't see anything with this light either.

[@okbridges]

The grey lantern on the right is a Deitz Monarch hot-blast lantern that looked to be in good condition. Too bad it's ruined now. The green cold-blast lantern that was 'converted' in the video looks like a Paull's lantern and had some issues, such as a broken filler neck. It probably could have been repaired, as it otherwise looked complete and in good shape. so it's ruined now too. So, instead of buying new lanterns that are already electrified, you show how to ruin old lanterns. This Old House stoops to new lows. I never thought I'd thumbs down one of your videos, but this was it!

[@finno123456]

2:34 that switch looks flimsy and won't last not even block connectors inside the switch but two prongs to pierce the wire

[@thebeststooge]

It is used all the time and I hate them.

[@mooseydeucy]

Nice!!! I have just such a lantern which I inherited from my dear mum! Gonna try it. Where do you get the piece that drills the hole big enough for the socket and will it attach to my Black & Decker small drill?

[@BeccaTheWreckahhh]

It’s called a hole saw and they come in several sizes. You just need to make sure you get one that is the same diameter as the socket you plan to install. Any hardware store will have them but you have to make sure you have the corresponding bit to attach it to your drill, unless you buy it in a set in which case the bit is generally included. It should fit any standard size drill. The tip of the bit will extend passed the opening for the hole saw, that way you just line up the bit with the center-point of where you want the hole. I hope that helps!

[@Subgunman]

I would have taken the time to fabricate something to go into the burners place to hold the lamp. As for the wire, I would have run it out of the fill hole. Gathering the small parts into a small box. I would store them in a safe place in case the SHTF, at which point I could reassemble the lantern to its original configuration. This way the value of the lamp is not destroyed should it be of significant value.

[@scottplumer3668]

You're allowed to own more than one lantern now.

[@kevinherrera836]

How is call that bulb?

[@jaycimbak7781]

I have a very rusty Dietz lantern with the whole base of the fount rusted away. The only good part is the globe. I think I'll clean up the lantern and do this to it so I can enjoy it instead of using it as an outdoor decoration.

[@taz-on-the-looseyusef5526]

that's beautiful lamp and bulb , I wonder where I can get that bulb,

[@mikesullivan5198]

What a waste of a good lantern!!

[@cuddles6938]

Kerosene is not healthy to breathe, this is being used even today in the Philippine's. Get educated!

[@thebeststooge]

These days the air is not healthy to breathe either.

[@scottplumer3668]

If you have an old lantern that's no longer safe to use, I wouldn't call it a waste.

[@VolpeInCalze]

Foamer

[@JeffPo1]

That’s a shame. While it is a pretty common lantern, why ruin a working piece of history? There are ways to electrify a kerosene lantern without drilling holes and physically altering it, thus destroying its value and original purpose. And some lanterns are VERY valuable, worth thousands of dollars. Many are worth hundreds. Once you start drilling holes it’s worth a handful of dollars. I’ve got a railroad conductor’s lantern that should be worth about $400 to $500. But because someone electrified it, it’s now worth about $25. These old lanterns are also built much better than what you find today. An older common lantern is worth more and works better than a newer one. If you want to electrify a lantern, use a newly purchased one from Walmart. If you must destroy an old one, at least check on its value and rarity first. It might be a case of where you want to find another, less valuable old lantern to start drilling holes in. :)

[@BMcKenna]

excellent video :D

[@dazedconfuzed6]

A kerosene lantern is already a lamp according to Merriam-Webster.

[@vaughany3]

What about earthing the metal frame?

[@cuddles6938]

Better if you guys showed what others are showing, converting Kerosene Lamps into a LED Lamp, for countries such as the Philippines where Kerosene is causing health issues for families using it to light the inside of houses at night.

[@t458hts]

No UL knot. No mention of polarity. Use of non polarized plug. Improper strain relief. Accident waiting to happen!!

[@jjjacer]

yep because if reversed the threads of the base become live/hot and you could get shocked when screwing in a bulb if on and plugged in.,

[@bobthelanternguy8640]

THERE GOES BEING OFF GRID AND VALUE

[@fiehlsport]

Username checks out

[@2loco]

Single insulated wire in a metal fixture without a protective earth conductor. Brave...

[@Subgunman]

In the states the use of dual core wire in lamps is very uncommon. There are however special strain reliefs that fit into the drilled hole so as not to allow metal to wire contact.

[@raymondmcgee4491]

Not a problem here. Conductors are insulated protected from damage, and UL listed

[@jonwhite2706]

Master electrician with them connections should be ashamed of himself

[@thomasbuss1118]

No need to ruin cool old lanterns when cheap Chinese new ones are at Walmart.

[@Texeq]

Go buy a cheap modern Chinese made lantern if you want to electrify one of these. Don't ruin a nice original American made 100 year old lantern. Over the years I've seen extremely valuable lanterns ruined and turned into valueless decorations by electrification. Not too swift.

[@hansonsux]

Such as waste.

[@stevenkimsey7039]

Sacrilege.