Coal oil pre kerosene

[cjgregory]

I found this interesting quote on wooden axe handles and ramrods of the 18th &19th centuries.

“Kerosene is the modern version of coal oil. Coal oil was commonly used for tool handles during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was also used for soaking ramrods in. Not only does it waterproof, but it greatly aids in the flexability of the wood preventing breakage. This is especially true with Hickory. Also, a small dose of coal oil/kerosene was drunk to kill GI parasites, usually picked up from bad water.”

I found it in a book on early axe and tomahawk handles.

 

[andy52]

I've read this before in some publication but I don't remember where.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

It was mentioned in the Dixie Gun Works catalogs at one time. Maybe still is. My Dad said that his parents kept both the kids and the dogs de-wormed with a dose of turpentine every once in awhile. The kids got it on a teaspoon of sugar and the dogs got it in ball of ground meat after his Dad had tossed them a couple of balls to get them used to gobbling them down.

 

[Grimord]

I have been using kerosene to soak my hickory ram rods for years. I have a 60"long 2" Diameter PVC pipe with threaded ends that i put my ram rods in when the guns are in the safe. Keeps them nice a flexible.

 

[planefixer da50]

It lets the wood fibers flex n move next to one another. just like steaming wood for snow shoes.

 

[westrayer]

Interesting to see what was used in the past. Like browning barrels with urine soaked blankets. I had a Springfield 1871 that was missing the ram rod. I bought a repo and used bleach on patches to give it a bit of patina to match the barrel.
I have dabbled in Springfield Trapdoors for a bunch of years. I remember hearing that the receivers were quenched in whale oil. Every once in a while I refresh the stock finish with a bit of olive oil.

 

[lv2tinker22]

I found this interesting quote on wooden axe handles and ramrods of the 18th &19th centuries.

“Kerosene is the modern version of coal oil. Coal oil was commonly used for tool handles during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was also used for soaking ramrods in. Not only does it waterproof, but it greatly aids in the flexability of the wood preventing breakage. This is especially true with Hickory. Also, a small dose of coal oil/kerosene was drunk to kill GI parasites, usually picked up from bad water.”

I found it in a book on early axe and tomahawk handles.

I found this online:

• Coal oil: Made from cannel coal, a soft coal that contains bitumen.
• Kerosene: Made from petroleum, or crude oil.

 

[Brokennock]

I found this online:

• Coal oil: Made from cannel coal, a soft coal that contains bitumen.
• Kerosene: Made from petroleum, or crude oil.

Sometimes publication dates need to be checked and taken into consideration before buying into some information, eh?

 

[Brokennock]

I found this interesting quote on wooden axe handles and ramrods of the 18th &19th centuries.

“Kerosene is the modern version of coal oil. Coal oil was commonly used for tool handles during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was also used for soaking ramrods in. Not only does it waterproof, but it greatly aids in the flexability of the wood preventing breakage. This is especially true with Hickory. Also, a small dose of coal oil/kerosene was drunk to kill GI parasites, usually picked up from bad water.”

I found it in a book on early axe and tomahawk handles.

When was this book published?

 

[cjgregory]

When was this book published?

It was an excerpt from an old fur, fish and game magazine. I was at a friends house and was browsing. Just took a snap shot of it. Typed it here. It did say where it came from. Just not important enough to go find out.
Even my post said kerosene is the modern version of coal oil.
There was more to the article of course. Coal oil was used in lamps before kerosene.
Bitumen is a hydrocarbon. Bitumen is an immensely viscous constituent of petroleum. We could get all retarded about it I guess. All coal is a hydrocarbon. In fact you can make fuel oil from coal. It’s called coal gasification. Nazi germany developed the technology.

 

[cjgregory]

The oil sands up in Ft. McMurray has two refineries there Syncrude and Suncor.
It area is called the “Oil Sands”
It’s bitumen petroleum. I worked there on permit for a year. I was a field engineer. Bitumen is heavy like asphalt.
Pure bitumen is thick like molasses it’s low grade petroleum. It would be useless to try to get into wood pores.

There’s a whole process involved to make it what we call “straight run”.

It makes complete sense that kerosene is a perfect replacement for coal oil. It has good viscosity and penetrates well.

 

[cjgregory]

Sometimes publication dates need to be checked and taken into consideration before buying into some information, eh?

The information is sound and kerosene is a perfect replacement based on properties.

 

[longcruise]

It’s called coal gasification. Nazi germany developed the technology.

I recall seeing photos of busses in the US running on something like that. I remember my mother telling me about it. Some pictures. A little off the OP topic though.

 

[Brokennock]

The information is sound and kerosene is a perfect replacement based on properties.

Is it?
Maybe it is for all the other purposes of coal oil/kerosene, but that doesn't mean it is the same for wood treatment. One being a petroleum product and the other not.

I seem to recall someone,,, or more than one someone,,,, debunking the whole, "soak your ramrods in kerosene," thing some years ago.
Could be misremembering, but something seems off in the theory....
Kind of like keeping ones spare flints in water or whatever fluid people used to think made their flints better at one time.

 

[cjgregory]

Is it?
Maybe it is for all the other purposes of coal oil/kerosene, but that doesn't mean it is the same for wood treatment. One being a petroleum product and the other not.

I seem to recall someone,,, or more than one someone,,,, debunking the whole, "soak your ramrods in kerosene," thing some years ago.
Could be misremembering, but something seems off in the theory....
Kind of like keeping ones spare flints in water or whatever fluid people used to think made their flints better at one time.

That could be true. I have no idea. Coal is created like oil is. Coal is formed by rock seams whereas petroleum flows through formations. They are hydrocarbons.

“Coal and petroleum are the consequence of the decomposition of ancient plant life that existed millions of years ago. These decomposing plant materials began to accumulate, eventually producing peat. Heat and pressure from geological processes turned these minerals into coal over time. They are also known as fossil fuels because they are made up of essential fossils.
Both have petroleum properties.

Chemically and fundamentally, coal and petroleum are both hydrocarbons. The type of coal we are talking about is called “bituminous”.

• Bituminous: Bituminous coal has a carbon concentration of 45–86 percent. It is the most common form of coal found in the United States. Bituminous coal is utilized to create power since it is an important fuel and raw material for generating coking coal.

 

[cjgregory]

I recall seeing photos of busses in the US running on something like that. I remember my mother telling me about it. Some pictures. A little off the OP topic though.

View attachment 380535View attachment 380536

I called it fuel oil from the gasification process, but it’s actually closer to diesel. Star diesel, which is basically locomotive fuel.

Being land locked, Nazi germany had to create it from coal. This is the same process as we use today to make fuel from corn. Corn is too low in carbon to be efficient, so just know that idea is a red herring. A waste of time as the cost to make it almost equals the value of the finished product.
Cool history in those pictures longcruize.

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

Coal oil is not the same as kerosene.
Just south of Moundsville West Virginia back in the early 1970's consolidated coal had a cracking refinery where they were making gasoline out of coal for 11 cents a gallon.

 

[ZUG]

Dixie Gun Works had stated in their catalog that the use of soaking your ram rod in kerosene or coal oil will make it flexible and not be broken when bent - this is hogwash the only thing this accomplish is making your ram rod smell bad and scare away the deer.
They also said that if you soaked your flints in water they would last longer and spark better - also a bunch of BS.

 

[Steve Wagner]

I called it fuel oil from the gasification process, but it’s actually closer to diesel. Star diesel, which is basically locomotive fuel.

Being land locked, Nazi germany had to create it from coal. This is the same process as we use today to make fuel from corn. Corn is too low in carbon to be efficient, so just know that idea is a red herring. A waste of time as the cost to make it almost equals the value of the finished product.
Cool history in those pictures longcruize.

Well cj, I admire your forbearance and appreciate the discussion. This is what can happen on the forum when the full moon comes into conjunction with the cranks. You shouldn't have brought up the Nazis, though. Next thing, you will be called the new Hitler for trying to initiate a discussion on coal oil. Per Murphy, no good deed goes unpunished. SW

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I found this strange snippet on google about coal oil from cannel coal:

What is coal oil used for?

• Coal oil can be used as a fuel.
• It can also be used as a seasoning or in marinades and dressings.

Ewwww .... I'm not pouring cannel coal oil on my salad as a dressing. No wonder people died early from strange advise such as this.

Ohio Rusty ><>