Started playing with Coleman things...


 
The older I get the more I appreciate older things that were built right and built to last.
In this day and age everything is getting made cheaper and cheaper with the cost going up and up. Everything seems to be built out of the thinnest materials possible and made just to last the short warranty duration. I guess I should be happy that not everybody realizes this. I pick up old Weber's from people all the time for free or cheap that want to discard them just because they're old and they want a new one. If they put just a little bit of time and money into their old Weber it will Outlast anything new many times over. I recently had a new Weber Genesis SPX 435 smart Grill. It had only been used for a year and showed significant signs of wear. I could see it's expiration coming already.

These old Coleman products are a great example of cool old stuff built right and built to last. At least these are my options. The older I get the more I'm interested in picking up stuff like this.
 
I’m a fan of Coleman products to be sure! I think I’ve got three lanterns after giving a few away. A couple of coolers, older one I bought new in 1977(I think) and several smaller newer ones. The day the old 54 blew off the table and dented the lid I was NOT happy!!
Several stoves, one burner and two burners, a catalytic heater (unused) and a table! I never thought about all that stuff until this thread! I should get the stoves out and fire them once in a while. Same with the lanterns, I like the kind of light they give! You can find stuff at night when you touch one off!!
Oh, a couple of picnic jugs too!
 
The lanterns are getting harder to find. I used to get them from yard sales and house clean outs before Covid. They were usually overlooked and left in the free pile of items that didn’t sell.

They are an easy sell to collectors.

Yard sales and moving sales went way down after Covid. And the guys that bought the classic Coleman stuff in the 60’s and 70’s are getting up there in age.
 
The lanterns are getting harder to find. I used to get them from yard sales and house clean outs before Covid. They were usually overlooked and left in the free pile of items that didn’t sell.

They are an easy sell to collectors.

Yard sales and moving sales went way down after Covid. And the guys that bought the classic Coleman stuff in the 60’s and 70’s are getting up there in age.
I found a Coleman single burner stove in my mother in law's garage last year when I was cleaning it out for her to move. I thought it was kind of neat so I took it home. It was from the 70's and brand new in the box. I ended up selling it on eBay for $150 after I found out that people collect this stuff.
 
I figured there would be some like minded folks in this group, seems like Coleman and Weber go together well! I've used the lantern a few times to light the back yard up while having s campfire, did so just last night. It's very satisfying to take one all apart, rehab and get it running smooth. Some of it is a little tricky, but not once you get the principal. I've got 2 planters and a3 burner stove, all free that were left behind on my property or one lantern was in the scrap pile at the dump. PXL_20241004_222307102.jpgMessenger_creation_53550E8E-AB8C-40C0-8077-1A2EBD1E72EE.png
 
They sure are nice for that. It's how I used to use mine when the kids were younger. I sold it a while ago now. One thing I was always puzzled about with those. They used "white gas". Is white gas actually gasoline or is it something else?
 
Someone told me years ago that white gas was unleaded before there was unleaded, I’ve just picked up a can of official Coleman fuel but, my dad used to get white gas when he could.
That is what I was told. But, I've also been told to never put gasoline from a pump into a lantern.
 
They sure are nice for that. It's how I used to use mine when the kids were younger. I sold it a while ago now. One thing I was always puzzled about with those. They used "white gas". Is white gas actually gasoline or is it something else?
Gasoline with zero additives. You can run pump gas in some of them, just doesn't burn as clean and will eventually clog things up
 
I like the little single mantle 200’s a lot, much easier to work on than the 220’s. Here’s a ‘61 with a cool handle/reflector and original amber globe.

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Nice!!
I agree those old 200 A’s are real workhorses! I had three and have given two away I’ve got a couple of others that I can’t remember what specific models off the top of my head.
Now, I’m curious, I used to know what they were right off! I’ll be looking in the garage soon and will try to look in that cabinet!
 

 

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