MTFCA Forum

Where do you guys find calcium carbide for your carbide generator on the early brass cars? I know a prestolite tank will work but gotta try it the hard way first and don't know who might sell some.

Lehman’s Hardware in Kidron Ohio and KarstSports.com have it. You have to purchase it in five one quart cans to justify the hazmat fee. Read the Karst description otherwise it looks like $130 for only one can.

I got mine from Carbide and Cannons in Boulder City, Nevada. They sent me 6 one pint cans. Easy to carry in a T.

I clipped the following add out of a 1904 issue of The Acetylene Journal, regarding the yield of a pound of carbide.
At that yield, a pound should keep our T headlamps burning for about 2-1/2 to 3 hours using standard burners (3/4's).

Knowing how much carbide to "charge" the generator for a certain length of time driving should save waste and keep you from driving in the dark!

Before I bought any carbide, I decided to use a Prest-O-Lite tank and would be interested in how it works out.

Bob, I have a nearly full can you can have for free!!! Just pay the shipping costs.

Two more places to try. Your local welding/gas supply house, and your local old fashion corner drug store, don't waste your time with a CVS, or Walgreens style place. You may have to ask the pharmacist if it is something they can order. 25 years ago when I worked in a pharmacy we could get it, in a variety of sizes.

Army surplus stores. Mickey's in Kansas City, KS has it cheap.