Hello, wwwwould anybody have any idea where I can get a carbide lantern & carbide ? I have looked a bunch of places, but some people dont even know what Im talking about. I hope Im not that old. Thanks a lot, Ide appreciate any help....thanks rick

-- rickey normand (rickeynormand@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002

Answers

Rick, For carbide and carbide lamps contact your nearest caving group(known as a "grotto"). You might have a time finding the group, ask at the library or at the closest university. Believe it or not many modern cavers prefer the carbide lamps to electric. You can still get parts for many of the old carbide lamps, you might be able to buy a lamp or two from one of the cavers in the group. New carbide lamps are still being made, but they are not like the old ones, the new ones are specially designed for caving. There are reports that someone has bought the tooling from one of the old companies that used to make the old lamps and occasionally runs off a few, but I'm not sure if that is truth or rumor. Carbide is classified as a hazardous substance and so can only be shipped via UPS at great expense, most places won't ship it at all, you have to pick it up. Many grottos will buy a big canister and share it with the members; you might be able to get some that way. You can also find the lamps on Ebay, but be prepared to pay top dollar. Sometimes I find an old lamp or two at an antique mall, but they are unvariably way overpriced and often in such bad condition as to be un-repairable. If you can't find anything via the above suggestions let me know, I could probably turn up one or two for you. Les

-- Les Vaughn (rocketcaver@yahoo.com), April 04, 2002.

Army Navy surplus store or check e-bay.I know the calcium carbide is getting hard to find at least here in wisconsin the average joe can no longer buy it(some recently new law regarding explosives).Good luck Dave (central WI)

-- Dave (duckthis1@mybogusemail.com), April 04, 2002.

nobody in the US makes them anymore. karstsports.com is a company in the US that sells new Petzl brand. www.caving-supplies.co.uk is a maker that alot of people in the US buy from. Some REI stores carry carbide but not the lamps anymore that I know of. You could find used through caving/spelunking clubs or Ebay.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

You can still get carbide shipped, you just have an added hazmat fee. Karst sports sells it.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

I bought my lamp at an outdoor store, and the carbide I've seen at an old country general store. I bought 2 pound can and haven't used the lamp more than to play with, BUt it is something I'm holding onto just in case. I will look around here and see if it is still available. Good question.

-- Dave in Ohio (dr43147@yahoo.com), April 05, 2002.

Lehman's has em!

-- Me (abc@me.com), April 05, 2002.

You might try your local welding supply shop. They use carbide to fill acytelene tanks and will usually sell a pound or two.

-- Jeremy in Ky (Jpuckett@hyperaction.net), April 06, 2002.