The Breakroom > The Water Cooler
old lamps to be re-newed!
Bernd:
Ralph,
The one on the right looks to be an inspectors lamp. This would be the guy that checks the railroad cars out after they are assembled into a train. At least that is what it would be used for over in the states. The one with the lens missing is probably a switch mans signal lantern. I don't know what other terms are used for the various personal on the railroad. The large relays looks like they are signal relays used to operate the railroad signals along the railroad.
To clean such items we here in the states us lye. Put some lye in water and place the whole lantern in. Let soak for a day or two, then use a very fine stainless steel or brass brush to clean off the surface rust.
That's about how much I know about lantern restoration 101. :lol: But it works, I know I've done it before.
I'll have to take some pics of my lanterns and post them.
Bernd
Bernd:
Ralph,
Here's some pics of two distinct lanterns.
The first is an "inspectors lantern". This is the guy that would check out the under carriage of the cars to make sure everything is OK. Note it has a curved mirror in the back of the glass to amplifiy the light. I've had it lit and it looks neat at night.
This lantern is a "switchmans" lantern. He was the guy on the ground throwing the turnouts when shunting cars. It was mainly used at night to signal direction, speed and movememnt to the driver.
Here's my collection I anmassed over time. This is a hobby onto itself. So is collecting other RR memoribila (sp?).
And here's the stuff I soak them in for a few days. I'm sure you'll be able to find lye in the UK.
Unfortunatlry I don't have any brushes right now to show you. I haven't collected lanterns in quite a while. As a matter of fact I've been thinking of selling them and using the money for tool buying. But probably not.
Bernd
Divided he ad:
WOW Bernd :bugeye:, you weren't kidding about the lamp collectoin!!
I like the look of those :)
I'll investigate the origine and details of both the lamps before I do anything..... But the lye is worth me investigating too. What else can it do....? Besides unblocking drains!
Ralph.
Rog02:
Lye is a generic name for caustic soda.
As rleete mentioned electrolytic rust removal in his post it is worth noting that while "washing soda" is specified in most of the online directions, lye can be substituted as it is just a more concentrated form. The "soda" alters the PH level of the water used for electrolyte, therefore improving the electrical characteristics.
Also it should be noted that caustic soda dissolves aluminum, leaving a gelatinous mass where the part once was.
Link to the British Horological Institute:
http://www.bhi.co.uk/aHints/rust.html
Link to Stove Bolt PDF on the process. Note the safety warnings about using stainless steel as cathodes, it can be dangerous.
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/electrolysis.pdf
Link to the Texas A&M University, Nautical Archeology Program "Iron Artifact Preservation Information Page":
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File10a.htm
This method works! It is simple and as long as certain simple safety protocols are observed, yields no toxic material which is hard to dispose of.
Bernd:
Ralph,
Roger pretty much covered the lye issue. Forgot that is was caustic soda.
I use it for getting the rust off of lanterns and it's great for cleaning drains too. :lol:
Bernd
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