O/T New production of Alladdin Mantles available

[Valecnik]

Just wondering if any of you Aladdin fans had tried these newly produced mantles and if so, what do you think of them?

They look a little shorter than the NOS ones offered on eBAY but they are supposed to be "improved" according to some sources.

Any opinions?

[barnettrp21122]

I'm interested. Could you supply a link please?
Bob

[Valecnik]

Here's one. There are others on eBAY asking up to $25 per mantle or selling them at auction, (for the NOS). Total ripoff imho.

If these are good, I'd buy a half dozen...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-IMPROVED-ALADDI ... 2eb2246158

[phonojim]

I don't know about the latest production mantles. The last time I bought new ones was 10+ years ago. I think they were being made in England at the time. Where are these being made and who is selling them? Aladdin Mantle Lamp Co. is probably the distributor.
I live in South Florida where it is all but impossible to get bulk kerosene so I don't use my Aladdins much any more and my mantles last for a long time. The only mantles I have left are NOS from the 1950s and I am using them rather than buying new ones. I once bought a full store counter dispplay box, a dozen IIRC. They apear to to hang straighter and burn more evenly than newer ones. BTW: I only use original B burners, no 21s or 23s.
Don't buy NOS wicks - they shrink over time and won't fit over the inner wick tube. The circle of tape inside the wick is what shrinks and it doesn't have any stretch to it at all. I've had som bad experiences with them. I keep a few wicks around but they are all relatively new.
I just looked at aladdinlamp.com, the company wwebsite, ane their R150 mantles look just like any others I've seen.

I've been collecting, restoring and using Aladdins for many years and would welcome PMs on the subject, either questions or general discussion.

Also see http://www.aladdinlamps.com/

Jim

[phonojim]

The Ebay price looks good. The Aladdin Mantle Lamp Co. lists them at $13.95. It's interesting to see that they have redesigned them. Hopefully they are better than ever.

How many more Aladdin collectors do we have on this forum? Check in, please.

Jim

[Valecnik]

Bulk kerosene.... I wish! Here I pay an outrageous price by half liter plastic bottle of "pure lamp oil". It's kerosene for gosh sakes.

When I lived In Minnesota I'd buy it at the pump for a slightly higher price than gasoline, but even then just at a few places...

[Henry]

I bought a dozen mantles for the no. 23 burner about ten years ago; they were c. $6 apiece at that time IIRC. I have two Aladdins at my Adirondack camp (no electricity) and these lamps have been in constant night-time use every summer for the last 35 years. I bought the mantles at a nearby hardware store that caters to the Mennonite trade here in e. PA. They are also available at a hardware store near my camp, as there are many seasonal residences up there without electric. I try to be very careful and attentive when I use the lamps, and I'll certainly be even more cautious now that I see current prices! I think I've only used one or two out of the one dozen mantles. Of course, experienced Aladdin users know to let the lamp warm up gradually before turning the burner up; many neophytes want that bright light right away, so they turn up the flame and char the dickens out of the mantle (I know, I've done this many times!). Usually you can turn down the flame and burn off the char without having to replace the mantle.

[TinfoilPhono]

Fortunately I can still buy 5 gallon drums of kerosene easily, though the price has certainly gone up in the past few years. I burn my Number 6 nightly so I go through quite a lot of it.

I don't think Aladdin is making new Kone Kaps yet, that may be a while since they have a lot more demand (and backlog) for Loxon. But I won't be trying any new ones for a while, I stocked up on old ones when production ended and I have enough to keep me going for a while.

[Valecnik]

I'd be interested to know what you pay for a five gallon drum. I don't recall what I'm paying here but I'll check and let's compare. I'm sure you will win...

[TinfoilPhono]

If I remember correctly, about $40. It wasn't all that long ago it was around $20.