The Dietz Number 60 Beacon

A Difficult Restoration

  The Dietz Number 60 Beacon is a large version of the more common Number 30. The Number 60 Beacon is 21 inches (53.3 cm) tall and the reflector is 16 inches (40.6 cm) wide. The large Beacon uses a Number 3 burner and rare Number 2 globe. Beacons were first made in the 1890s but this one has the features of the 1913 to 1930 period. Dietz stopped production of many lantern models in 1930. All Number 60s are quite rare.

  The No. 30 Beacon has a tin reflector but the No. 60 has an additional 5 inch silvered glass reflector at the back. The cold blast top panel is marked "DIETZ No 60 BEACON LIGHT, NEW YORK, U.S.A." The small print down by the lift says "PATENTED JUNE.22.97 FEB.1.98." The burner is identical to the No. 3 Globe Street Lamp. The wick adjust is marked "DIETZ No. 3 TUBULAR" and the globe says: DIETZ No 2 NEW YORK U.S.A.
Dietz 60 Beacon

  Collectors should always try to find lanterns in the best possible original condition. Lanterns that have had their original finish compromised by abrasive blasting should be avoided at all cost. Any rust that causes pitting of the metal has ruined the collector value of the lantern. It does not make sense to spend time, money and effort to "restore" a common lantern but sometimes restoration makes sense. This lantern was in very poor condition when purchased but No. 60 Beacons are hard to find in any condition. A rare lantern with a collector value of several hundred dollars does justify some effort to save.

  This is the bottom of the Dietz No 60 Beacon when found. The seller had the nerve to describe the condition of this lantern as "excellent." The sides and top of the font were no better.
Dietz 60 Beacon

  The steel in this lantern was in good condition except for the bottom 3 inches. Only the font and burner were affected. Those white spots are holes in the font and burner air chamber.

  Here is a view into the draft chamber. The Beacon had been electrified so the burner and dome were long gone. Unfortunately rust had removed everything else. With all its problems could it be brought back? Read on.
Before

After   This is what should be seen under the burner. Rust had removed the burner ring and top of the font. To save this lantern a new font, burner support, air chamber, and air supply needed to be constructed. Not to mention a lift mechanism and 2 mirror clips. Fortunately the burner plate was solid since this would be difficult to replace.

  The top and bottom of the font are identical except for the burner and fill hole on the top. A single hard wood die is made to fold the lip on both the top and bottom font plates. This photo shows the lip formed on the font top and a spare marked on the tin.
Dietz 60 Beacon

After   These are some of the parts that had to be made new. The original parts are flattened and used for patterns. The font top, sides, and back can be seen. Other parts are the burner support and the air chamber collar. In the upper right is the flattened tube from the burner to the back of the lantern. Replacements for the steel burner and dome had to be found.

  With all the parts formed and soldered the lantern looks like this. Painting this lantern required mixing Enamel to match the dark blue of the original.
Dietz 60 Beacon

  Here is a shot of the bottom after painting. The new tin and paint reflect the photographer like a mirror. The reconstructed lantern is not original and does not look original. However it does work and fills a much needed hole in my collection.

The No. 30 Beacon has a tin reflector but the No. 60 has an additional 5 inch silvered glass reflector at the back. The cold blast top panel is marked "DIETZ No 60 BEACON LIGHT, NEW YORK, U.S.A." The small print down by the lift says "PATENTED JUNE.22.97 FEB.1.98." The burner is identical to the No. 3 Globe Street Lamp. The wick adjust is marked "DIETZ No. 3 TUBULAR" and the globe says: DIETZ No 2 NEW YORK U.S.A.
	Collectors should always try to find lanterns in the best possible original condition. Lanterns that have had their original finish compromised by abrasive blasting should be avoided at all cost. Any rust that causes pitting of the metal has ruined the collector value of the lantern. It does not make sense to spend time, money and effort to "restore" a common lantern but sometimes restoration makes sense. This lantern was in very poor condition when purchased but No. 60 Beacons are hard to find in any condition. A rare lantern with a collector value of several hundred dollars does justify some effort to save.
This is the bottom of the Dietz No 60 Beacon when found. The seller had the nerve to describe the condition of this lantern as "excellent." The sides and top of the font were no better.
	The steel in this lantern was in good condition except for the bottom 3 inches. Only the font and burner were affected. Those white spots are holes in the font and burner air chamber.
Here is a view into the draft chamber. The Beacon had been electrified so the burner and dome were long gone. Unfortunately rust had removed everything else. With all its problems could it be brought back? Read on.
	This is what should be seen under the burner. Rust had removed the burner ring and top of the font. To save this lantern a new font, burner support, air chamber, and air supply needed to be constructed. Not to mention a lift mechanism and 2 mirror clips. Fortunately the burner plate was solid since this would be difficult to replace.
The top and bottom of the font are identical except for the burner and fill hole on the top. A single hard wood die is made to fold the lip on both the top and bottom font plates. This photo shows the lip formed on the font top and a spare marked on the tin.
	These are some of the parts that had to be made new. The original parts are flattened and used for patterns. The font top, sides, and back can be seen. Other parts are the burner support and the air chamber collar. In the upper right is the flattened tube from the burner to the back of the lantern. Replacements for the steel burner and dome had to be found.
With all the parts formed and soldered the lantern looks like this. Painting this lantern required mixing Enamel to match the dark blue of the original.
	Here is a shot of the bottom after painting. The new tin and paint reflect the photographer like a mirror. The reconstructed lantern is not original and does not look original. However it does work and fills a much needed hole in my collection.