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Modern, robust, candle lantern

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slowworm

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
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Devon
I can't remember if I've asked this before but I'm trying to track down a modern candle lantern for the home. I have an Uco camping lantern and quite a few antique/vintage holders and lanterns but I'd like a couple of modern, hefty quality lanterns for the home. Something like a good quality hurricane lamp but using candles.

I've searched online but there's just too many decorative or lightweight camping things about, which have there place but are not what I'm after. Any links or suggested search terms would be great.

I may end up making my own if I can't find anything but don't have the time at the moment. A summary of features would be:

Spring loaded candle
Glass wind shield (properly vented so candle doesn't suffocate)
Reflective back
Usable handle (i.e. not over the flame so it doesn't get too hot to touch)
Heavy base so it is not easily tipped over.
 
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Look at Eltex (Hilite) Dragonfly candle lantern.

Takes 1.5 inch pillar candles, rather than custom Uco ones. Also puts out quite a bit more light.

One recently went on eBay.
www.ebay.co.uk

VINTAGE ELTEX Hanging OIL LAMP Candle Lantern Folding Camping Survival Light Uco | eBay

The Folding design makes it great for Camping or Survival. A well made and versatile item. That can take large candles or tea-lights in one insert. The other insert is an oil lamp. The lantern acts as a good windshield.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
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stonepark said:
Look at Eltex (Hilite) Dragonfly candle lantern.

Takes 1.5 inch pillar candles, rather than custom Uco ones.

One recently went on eBay.
www.ebay.co.uk

VINTAGE ELTEX Hanging OIL LAMP Candle Lantern Folding Camping Survival Light Uco | eBay

The Folding design makes it great for Camping or Survival. A well made and versatile item. That can take large candles or tea-lights in one insert. The other insert is an oil lamp. The lantern acts as a good windshield.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
Interesting, thanks. That's still too 'camping' for what I want as I'm after something for the home, more robust.

The candle in the photo looks like the Uco candles. I'm currently using a mould that makes Uco style candles and they run in old Mason constant-flame spring loaded holders and they work very well.
 
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slowworm said:
Interesting, thanks. That's still too 'camping' for what I want as I'm after something for the home, more robust.

The candle in the photo looks like the Uco candles. I'm currently using a mould that makes Uco style candles and they run in old Mason constant-flame spring loaded holders and they work very well.
Click to expand...
No worries.

If you do go down the route if build your own, build it around an easily obtainable candle.

I have a couple of UCO's as well but the candles are extortionate at £3 per candle unless home made.

The Eltex burns standard 38mm or 40mm wide 60mm to 90mm high pillar candles at £0.75 to £1 per candle.
 
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slowworm

Thread 'Candle lantern'

I've been looking for a well made candle lantern for ages but can't seem to find anything suitable.

I do not mean something like the Uco lanterns but something much more robust. If I could design my own it would have two or three glass sides, a back reflector, and be made solidly out of metal, eg brass.

It can be old or new, but something made for purpose to provide a decent light rather than those light weight ones sold cheaply for looking pretty.

I want to use candles rather than oil as I keep bees and have a plentiful supply of wax.

Anyone know of anything suitable or any key words...
slowworm said:
I can't remember if I've asked this before but I'm trying to track down a modern candle lantern for the home. I have an Uco camping lantern and quite a few antique/vintage holders and lanterns but I'd like a couple of modern, hefty quality lanterns for the home. Something like a good quality hurricane lamp but using candles.

I've searched online but there's just too many decorative or lightweight camping things about, which have there place but are not what I'm after. Any links or suggested search terms would be great.

I may end up making my own if I can't find anything but don't have the time at the moment. A summary of features would be:

Spring loaded candle
Glass wind shield (properly vented so candle doesn't suffocate)
Reflective back
Usable handle (i.e. not over the flame so it doesn't get too hot to touch)
Heavy base so it is not easily tipped over.
Click to expand...
I;m feeling dull - what did you mean by Spring Loaded?
 
I also found my old post after posting this one, but my needs have evolved a bit more, from camper to hermit.

Spring loaded as in the Uco lanterns. A candle is placed in a cartridge with a spring underneath so the flame is always in the same place. That way a small mirror and/or glass shade can always be in the best place. A normal candle will burn down and require a much bigger mirror or glass.
 
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The fitment raises the candle as it burns. It's supposed to keep it cleaner, but the wax hardness is crucial to the whole thing working well.
You can add hardener wax to the mix if you make your own, otherwise 'official' ones are expensive.

If you get it wrong, use a candle that's too soft, you end up with a pool of wax below the and gubbed up around the spring.
Pita to clean out.
 
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My home made beeswax candles have worked very well in my spring loaded holders. I was just totting up how much they would have cost these last two nights if I had to buy them.

For me the whole point is to use my own wax, well that of my bees.
 
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Yes, I agree and I make my own using beeswax but it's not cheap....and not everyone has access to beeswax.
A little of the stearic acid flakes added will make an enormous difference to the pool and burn time of even beeswax though.
 
Toddy said:
Yes, I agree and I make my own using beeswax but it's not cheap....and not everyone has access to beeswax.
A little of the stearic acid flakes added will make an enormous difference to the pool and burn time of even beeswax though.
Click to expand...
To be fair to Slowworm he did post the idea of creating one for his own interest and use.
I think others of us ( myself included ) have jumped on a potential idea of how 'it' should be.
 
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slowworm

Thread 'Candle lantern'

I've been looking for a well made candle lantern for ages but can't seem to find anything suitable.

I do not mean something like the Uco lanterns but something much more robust. If I could design my own it would have two or three glass sides, a back reflector, and be made solidly out of metal, eg brass.

It can be old or new, but something made for purpose to provide a decent light rather than those light weight ones sold cheaply for looking pretty.

I want to use candles rather than oil as I keep bees and have a plentiful supply of wax.

Anyone know of anything suitable or any key words...

JohnC

Thread 'tin candle holder'

I had bought one of these tin candle boxes after seeing one at a reeactment fair. I'm pleased with it, and fancied trying making one.

IMG00395-20100126-1958.jpg


I used an old biscuit tin lid and a nail for the swivel pin and a large paper clip for the hinge wire. I drew out the plan and glued it on the lid for cutting.
The tin lid material was flimsier that the "real thing", but with edges folded over is pretty good.

IMG00396-20100126-1959.jpg


I'm getting a...
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The latter thread is full of fascinating links :D

and etsy has loads of really lovely ideas for ones for the home.
 
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