Weems and Plath Oil Yacht Lamp 700

[Zephyr's Aura]

I was given two Weems and Plath Oil Yacht Lamps model 700 but there were no instructions with them. Could someone tell me how to open them to fill with oil and light them? I don't want to brake them tyring to figure it out.

Thanks,

Tim

[Chief Engineer]

With your left hand...wrap it around the glass/rod assembly

With your right hand grasp the bottom...right at that lower shoulder, twist.

It should come off in a clockwise motion (bottom) counterclockwise (top)

DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF WRENCH

[Zephyr's Aura]

Thanks I'll give that a try.

Tim

[Chief Engineer]

Any luck??????

[Gene :^)]

While we are on the topic of oil lamps... I have an "Anchor" brand Anchor lantern. The bottom drops out of the fresnel lens and is a miniature oil lamp in itself. The lamp part appears to unscrew from the oil reservoir, however it is stuck. The joint between the parts looks to have solidified oil or some sticky stuff, probably also in the screw threads.

My question is...

Any thoughts on how to loosen this up? Or what type of solvent to use?

I'd really like to get this lamp working again but I don't want to twist too hard and break it.

[Zephyr's Aura]

Chief Engineer

Thanks for the input. I haven't had a chance to try. I'm at my brothers in NY for a visit. I won't be back to my boat until next week. I'll let you know as soon as I have a chace to try.

Thanks again.

Tim

[Aqua Vitae]

Gene, I would try Goof Off. That stuff breaks up anything, including 5200 given time to soak.

[Gene :^)]

So, after posting the lamp was on my mind. So I sat down and soaked it with Goof Off (Piper, great minds think alike). Unfortunately it had no effect on the tar like stuff.

So I applied heat with a micro torch. I had to get it really hot and the tar started melting. I was able to unscrew and separate the parts (with hot pads for my hands). It was very hot.

I tried to wipe the parts but it won't come off, even when hot.

It appears to be very old oil or something. It's all over and the wick is hard and stiff with it.

I have it all apart now and I am thinking of trying carburetor cleaner or thinner next. Otherwise I will hit it with the dremel and wire wheel. That is last resort because I don't want to mar the patina of the brass.

[gfrazzle]

Try acetone, it melts almost anything.

[Zephyr's Aura]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

With your left hand...wrap it around the glass/rod assembly

With your right hand grasp the bottom...right at that lower shoulder, twist.

It should come off in a clockwise motion (bottom) counterclockwise (top)

DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF WRENCH

I finely got back to the boat today. I opened it just as you described.

Thanks for the help.


Tim

[Chief Engineer]

I love my W&P lamps....

Originally Posted by Zephyr's Aura

I finely got back to the boat today. I opened it just as you described.

Thanks for the help.


Tim

[Aqua Vitae]

Ditto; I love mine for safety in electrical failure and for the ambience it can create.

[jjones1349]

OK...How do you remove the lamp from the gimball or is that an option?

[S/V Elusive]

Since they are sold separately, they do come apart. You'll notice on the outer ring of the gimball, there are two studs, at 90 degrees from the outer mount bolts. Those studs have a mini 'bar' through them (they look like a mini mooring bollard) ... just unscrew them - be sure and hold on to the lamp!

[jjones1349]

Thanks...
I'm new as I purchased an 86 Nonsuch Ultra. No. 342 and took possetion on Labour Day weekend. I think my oil lamp does not have the mini morring bollards you speak of but I will try to unskrew the gimball next time I'm on the boat...was pretty damp here today.
Pretty typical for this summer and fall this year so far.
But, I do own a boat.
Jim
Nonsuch 30U 342