How to Trim and Tune a Center Draft Oil Lamp

We are Luxmen Lighting, my name is Madison Kirkman, and in this video I'll show you how to tune a Round Wick Center Draft or Side Draft Burner.
You'll need a lighter, sharp scissors, and a lamp with wick that needs tuning.

[@FeedBackMain]

Very very expensive lamp, a great lamp, a true antique and a perfect machinery! You re so lucky!

[@MadisonKirkman]

This lamp wasn't that expensive, but there are center draft lamps that are!

[@grivolas2144]

With a new wick I usually put a few drops of fuel on the tip raise it an 1/8" above the tube, then light it. Let it burn off the fuel, and let the wick burn down to the tube. Comes out near perfect everytime. Make sure the font is empty. One neat trick I learned by accident, is instead of making a smooth even flame is to make it spiked. This only works with some center drafts. I do the samething as above, but raise the wick tub up. My royal has spikes evenly spaced around the top of the wick raiser. As the wick burns down it creates evenly spaced spikes. Then when you fill the font and light it you get a crown effect with the flame.

[@RychaardRyder]

could you upload a video of this on your youtube or put up a photo? this sounds really interesting

[@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649]

Much thanks from South Africa!

[@marcp1180]

I have about a dozen Alladin mantle lamps, just got my first B&H wick lamp, wanted to get a tutorial on the wick trimming. Figured I'd need a wick trimmer like Alladins use, but nope, you made it easy. Great video, thanks.

[@MadisonKirkman]

Aladdins are more temperamental. If you practice, you may be able to do it by hand, but the wick trimmer is a nice tool.

[@tomdahmer7596]

Good video. Many thanks for your helpful suggestions.

[@MadisonKirkman]

Glad To Help.

[@stevenyounger8550]

Big thanks for your help with this ! I am now going to be able to use my center draft lamps ! Wasn't sure how to restore & use them safely !

[@MadisonKirkman]

Glad to Help!

[@RickKerr]

Learned something today .... thank you! Actually never knew about this type of wick.

[@Swampyankeehomestead]

I was in the market for a vintage Alladin. I came across this same lamp. Thank you for the video.

[@racheal74]

Thank you for The very good and detailed explanation now I understand.😊

[@MadisonKirkman]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jacklowe3788]

Thanks for the video- I'm just learning - Appreciate-

[@myklebustsears]

Thanks for this video! We live in an area with frequent power outages, so the oil lamps in our house are in regular use. I recently acquired a center-draft lamp, and had been struggling with how to clean and adjust it.

[@MadisonKirkman]

Hopefully this helps!

[@Wwehrwolfoz]

I love my Juno no 2 such a pretty little lamp

[@MadisonKirkman]

Little? The lamp is medium- large and puts out a ton of heat. Check out the #0 Lamps, those are little lamps comparatively.

[@wemcal]

Great video

[@MadisonKirkman]

Thanks!

[@2ampipeonthepatio]

Thanks Madison! I’ve been wanting to add a Rayo to my collection but wasn’t sure how they worked, thanks for the info! I recently moved from SD to Virginia and I miss being able to come by the shop and talk to your dad, I was really looking forward to the opening of the new showroom. Any idea when the new model that will replace the Champion no 2 will be available! I really need another galvanized lantern!

[@JMGeranimo]

I'm waiting as well ordered some German smaller ones to try out while I wait.

[@beernutsonline]

I have one of these lamps in my cabin, but I never get it to burn properly more than once after trimming the wick, (have to use a knife since the spreader is stuck) it's as if all the charred fills up with some solids, and it barely burns only when the wick is all the way up. (It's a bit short, but still protrudes 3-4 mm.) Is there anything in old kerosene that fills up the wick and make it unusable? I have refilled with various canisters for some time now, and it all seems clear and ok. (I inherited the cabin from my dad who didn't use it much at all..) It's as if it doesn't pull up kerosene, at least it's not in a vapor state. Guess I'll try to remove more and burn it at a lower setting, the charred potion is pretty wide.

[@anjanean]

Please do many more different lamps with parts and how to out them together and burn them how to find parts..ect...thank you

[@philipmedbery6927]

Would love to see how the wick is installed , I am new to center draft lamps and have a Miller New Juno that I would love to restore and burn .

[@MadisonKirkman]

There are many unique designs to how companies solved that issue... so it is not as generic as how to tune your lamp. I'll need to round up a variety of lamps to make a video on the topic.

[@rileycpo]

Great video Madison. Sending two lamps to you hopefully today. It would be cool if you did a video of these when they're done. Hey, you can even use some cool music from my channel. 😎

[@MadisonKirkman]

Working on them now!

[@robertgift]

What is the advantage of a round wick lamp? Just bought a cheap one at Salvation Army Thrift Store. Above the spherical glass burn area a tall cylindrical tubextends ~ 8 inches. Thank you.

[@jaykuchera5058]

my wick turned to a very hard plastic wax after 15 years. Any ideas for replacement 90x230 DHR wicks? ty

[@racheal74]

I have a big metal central wick lamp, im missing the chimney yet I only see a star on wick controller so I still dont know what model it is. Thanks for the video❤

[@MadisonKirkman]

I am unfamiliar with the lamp only knowing that one detail, but you can send photos to [e-mail].

[@Tom-di2dt]

I have a KYSO oil lamp but it needs a flame spreader. I am told a RAYO flame spreader will work. I found a thimble type but it doesn't have the ring around it near the top and there is no indication there ever was one. Pictures show the KYSO used the button type flame spreader. Do you think this thimble one will work.?

[@MadisonKirkman]

I am unsure what a KYSO lamp is. Please send photos to me. Our business is W.T.Kirkman Lanterns.

[@davidlittlejohn2640]

Great video, learned a lot. I do not have a flame spreader for my Rayo #22. I can’t find one anywhere, could you help me?

[@MadisonKirkman]

I have a flame spreader available. W.T.Kirkman Lanterns.

[@adamc1599]

Could you do a video on how to clean inside the brass well. And also what to do if your lamp isn't missing any pieces but the carrier doesn't life the wick up as you turn the wheel.

[@MadisonKirkman]

No all Center Drafts are the same, so the problems that can occur to different C.D. Lamps will be different. Which lamp do you have? A P&A Royal?

[@lynnefloto8052]

Are you still in Ramona? Is this lamp made by Bradley and Hubbard? Do you carry any Ed Miller flame spreaders? Or will the Rayo flame spreader work? Yours, Woody (Poway).

[@MadisonKirkman]

Yes We are in Ramona. The lamp was Ed Miller built in Meridan Connecticut. I carry misc. flame spreaders. Depends on the lamp but yes B&H are interchangeable with Rayos as B&H made Rayo Center Draft Lamps.

[@mrsseasea]

I have ta\hat same lamp, but I cant seem to rase or lower the wick? it’s been apart and a new wick installed, but will not raise or lower ? any suggestions? thank you

[@robertweinmann9408]

Have you actually added kerosene to the lamp? When my lamp and wick are dry, the wick is almost impossible to raise and lower, but once the wick has soaked up fuel, it moves easily.

[@MadisonKirkman]

Agreed, the kerosene is also a lunricant for these machanism. Infact this lamp was jammed up when I first installed the wick... Until I fillied it with kerosene, and ran the wick up and down 3 times.

[@Suuegrl]

Hi, I have a The New Juno no. 2 lamp in nickel. I was able to get the gallery off, but not able to remove the flam spreader. Any tips, it has a top cap looking thing that I can rotate either way. I cannot remove this in order to access where the round wick would be. Help please.

[@MadisonKirkman]

It's likely gunked up with dried oil deposits, so I imagine subtle heat or a little vinegar and hot water may free up the flame spreader.

[@mark703]

My carriage slips on the wick, any ideas how to fix it? Would a new wick help as the one thats on it is very old. I have a Juno (third version) pat date 21 May 1895. Also while im asking questions what size wick would i buy? Thanks for the video it helped me get the wick to burn evenly, but i just cant raise or lower it.

[@MadisonKirkman]

The teeth of the carrier aren't engaging with the wick properly? The center draft tube may have petrified oil and cotton on it, inducing friction, and can cause slipping. Take wick and carrier out, and use warm water and vinegar to clean the fount, and a tooth brush to scrub the tube to remove the junk. Make the tube as smooth as possible.

[@mark703]

@@MadisonKirkman Thanks for that, ill do that before my new wick comes.

[@mattsinkhorn]

Hi. My name is Matt. I recently acquired a New Juno No 2. I am having a hard time trying to separate the parts. You can tell it's tarnished and I was wondering if you can recommend a way to suggest for me a way to somehow use a solution or spray or something to breakdown what's stuck in between the Brass parts.

[@MadisonKirkman]

If it's Gunked up oil, you can boil your lamp in water with a little vinegar to loosen things up. Solder melts at 360F and water only reached 212F so it won't hurt your lamp. I recommend boiling it and if you have any movement at all, work that movement more and more when it's being boiled to get it free.

[@racheal74]

I noticed my flame spreader is a lot shorter than the one in this video so the flamme does not look the same as the one in the video, im keeping the flamme low as its a bit uneven , Sometimes it takes a while before the flamme spreads and I dont know if thats normal. Thanks for the video as Its helps a lot. Im new at this. I think I might have the wrong bulb

[@MadisonKirkman]

It is possible it is incorrect, it is also possible, it is correct as some were shorter than others, being of different designs. It's also possible that the flame spreader got smashed in and now appears shorter.

[@stephaniedurocher7145]

What I need help with is getting the wick into the lamp.

[@MadisonKirkman]

I plan on making more videos in the future.

[@P61guy61]

Do you have any tips on turning it off. Does it hurt to just blow it out? Or is it better to turn it down all the way?

[@MadisonKirkman]

Turn it down, blowing cold air into hot glass can crack it.

[@melissaanderson3706]

Can you tell me where I might purchase a wick carrier for my Miller lamp?

[@MadisonKirkman]

There are different Ed miller lamp wick carrier designs. The best thing to do is post photos of your lamps on collector lamp forums like the "antique oil lamps" group on Facebook and collectors there should be able to help find exactly what you need.

[@myfakeguuglaccount8307]

My parents just came upon an ornate Rochester lamp, but are at a loss as to how to operate it. Do you have any recommendations on resources they can look into to learn more?

[@MadisonKirkman]

Depends on which Rochester Lamp you have, you can email me photos at [e-mail] and I can help from there.

[@myfakeguuglaccount8307]

@@MadisonKirkman Will do. Thanks!

[@wascalywabbit]

What about the heaters that used these? Not perfection heaters, oil lamp heaters, do you or anyone make those?

[@MadisonKirkman]

I do not know of anyone who makes round wick oil heaters like the Perfection. I know of a source of wicks and some parts for vintage perfections so if you can find an original, they have some parts support.

[@pauldickinson5316]

Very meticulous trimming well done, I see and hear your passion for lamps. If that lamp belonged to me I would have the right to say to you ' You get on my WICK'. A term I have not heard for a while, no offence intended. I do have a couple of questions if you would be kind enough to answer them. I have just purchased a 1930 Sherwood "Sun" Lamp 30" made in Birmingham UK. It is a centre draft burner with a tubular wick of 1 1/2" diameter x 8 1/2" long. It will be hanging in my Victorian Town House living room, house was built in 1850. Q..Can these lamps be run off olive oil as I have just filled mine with lamp oil and don't want to empty it? & What sort of pulley system (rise and fall) do you use as it appears these lamps are more widely used over in the USA? Thank you in advance. 🙏

[@MadisonKirkman]

Never use Olive Oil in regular oil lamps. Good lamp oil has a flashpoint of 150F and is very thin to the touch which aids in the wicks ability to wick it up to the flame. Olive oil is much thicker, and to make it worse, it has a flashpoint of 460F, which means the flame has the heat the olive oil up to that much higher temperature before it will burn properly. That is a big temperature jump and makes it much more difficult to burn. Look up roman olive oil lamp and you will see a wick that is almost horizontal to help fix the issue of burning such a thick fuel.

[@MadisonKirkman]

Our hanging lamps in the U.S. usually use lead, often in the form of fishing weights now days, or shotgun lead shot to place in the counter weight. Since the weight of the lamp fount does change as oil burns, there is a certain amount of friction required to keep everything from moving at full tank or no tank.

[@pauldickinson5316]

@@MadisonKirkman Thanks for both replies Sir, this lamp I have weighs 4kg and is 30" tall, I was thinking of a pully on the ceiling rose and then some 4mm cord to another pully mounted on the wall, the cord would just have a couple of loops to hold on a cleat hook with an eye as a safety stop so the loops don't hit the pulley. I have 6kg of lead as I moulded some to add weight to some sash windows, but I don't want to pull the ceiling down. It will be like hoisting a body bag, the only vision I have is like a wrought iron chandellier in a castle with a rope and pulley.

[@rickholmwood2000]

That is a beautiful lamp. What is it?

[@MadisonKirkman]

Ed Miller Juno #2 Table Lamp

[@melchorgasparbaltasa]

quiero saber cómo se cambia o se coloca una mecha en ese modelo de lámpara..........gracias

[@MadisonKirkman]

Changing the wick is not universal between all or even most lamps. I'd need to know which lamp you have.

[@Rosesraspberries72]

I can’t seem to find a answer to the problem I’m having with a lamp. The wick is only burning on the sides and not the Center. And no matter how high I wind the wick, it will eventually just go out? But this video doesn’t help due to it being a completely different kind of lamp.

[@MadisonKirkman]

I'm working on a video for flat wick lamps and lanterns.

[@adamc1599]

And where to find any history on the P&A Royal lamps

[@MadisonKirkman]

Center-Draft Kerosene Lamps, 1884-1940 by J. W. Courter is a Great Place to start, and gives tons of history on most Center Draft Lamps built in America.

[@Ojeramup12]

What kind of fuel do you recommend for this round wick?

[@MadisonKirkman]

lanternnet.com/lantern-lamp-fuel/

[@Ojeramup12]

@@MadisonKirkman Thanks, I will order some.

[@brycekennedy7580]

I've done this to my rayo lamp, but the flame is super short. Is that normal?

[@MadisonKirkman]

Super short, either from lack of air flow which draws the flame upwards, from lack of fuel at the top of the wick which may mean either your wick is clogged from a previous bad fuel, or you are currently using Paraffin fuel which in America is Paraffin WAX fuel which clogs cotton wick lamps. It could be the amount of wick you have exposed, but I typed this out in order of likelyhood because you've probably tried turning up the wick.

[@Marc-zn7ok]

What about “A Gone with the wind” lamp?”

[@MadisonKirkman]

Gone with the wind Lamps with true central draft wicks follow the method in the video. Gone with the Wind is a term that rarely describes an actual oil burning lamp and often describes those with glass fount holders that have a light bulb on the inside. If you need help getting your lamp going, assuming it's oil, knowing the maker is as good place to start with getting information on how to use and service your lamp.