Greeting for all readers !
I like to introduce myself. I am from Finland.
Just got my first lamp ever for this weekend and it works fine ! I choosed to buy hk 500 to test light intensity and it is quit astonishing ! So bright that i couldn't believe at from first start.
Lamp oil i managed to buy from local cheapshop is giving quite much petrol smell to room, and i try to look more pleasent "fuming" fuel for future. Any good ideas ?
I purchaced lamp from Varuste.net, price was 124,90 €, delivery 3,90 € and also i bought 2 mantles 1,90€ each if there happens some "experimenting" but so far first mantle seems to be quite reliable, well, i guess that mantles last for some time in their own plastic packedges if not opened.
So far i have spent many evenings by reading your english forum, and being quite pleased about "fellowship" how openly you share information, good for you !
I must say that instructions that came with lamp, mostly finnish translation, was not too good...almost useless. Without experience how to put mantle to burner, it wasn't too clearly in manual. Much better in old manual. and desciption text also translated poorly, Little better in english. Best instructions are found from 1940 year manual "Petromax Rapid_01_09_1940.pdf", which i managed to find from internet. There's even finnish !. And setup picture is what is needed.
I can say as beginner that do carefully mantle tightening, as tying string is quite easily tighten too much and brokes. Luckily i managed to get double knot, when mine snapped, no need for too much force .
I made mantle burning with Sinol (denat.alchohol) and when it was burned, i even used "rapid preheater" little while. With 1,5 bar, lamp went on nicely at first start. And i got blind...
All finnish members, please respond also, i'd like know how many are from finland.
'till next contact,
Finlamp