What to fill a glass bottle with (a liquid that hardens) to lower its volume?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of an oil lamp using a glass vodka bottle, specifically addressing the challenge of filling the bottle with a substance that hardens to reduce the volume of paraffin needed for the lamp. Participants explore various materials that could be used to fill the bottle while ensuring compatibility with paraffin and safety considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using water as a filler, noting that it would not mix with paraffin.
  • Others propose using glass marbles, beads, ball bearings, or stones to fill the bottle, which could provide stability.
  • Concerns are raised about whether paraffin could seep through the gaps of ball bearings and whether it would cause rust.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the interaction between the wick and the liquids, questioning whether the wick would draw up water or oil.
  • Several participants mention the importance of safety and proper design, suggesting that a metal fitting is necessary to separate the flame from the glass.
  • Alternative suggestions include using sand, glue, glass fiber resin, potting compound, mortar, or even molten lead, with warnings about toxicity and heat generation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for a filler that does not react with paraffin, but multiple competing views exist regarding the best material to use. The discussion remains unresolved, with various suggestions and concerns being raised without consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about chemical interactions and the physical properties of the suggested materials, indicating that assumptions about safety and compatibility may not be fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY projects, particularly those involving lamp construction or creative uses of glass bottles, may find this discussion relevant.

Daniel Lee
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Homework Statement:: Oil Lamp ( Paraffin help )
Relevant Equations:: Not sure what to write here

HI folks,

I'm trying to make an oil lamp from an old Vodka bottle.
The bottle is the usual 750ml and is in a skull shape bottle. ( maybe you know it )

Anyhow I have all the materials and almost ready to go but, I don't want
750ml or anything close to that number of lamp oil ( Paraffin of sorts ) in the bottle as
it may have a deadly consequences.
So my question to you all is what kind of liquid or substance can I put in the glass bottle
to fill it up ( that maybe hardens ) that can fill the bottle maybe half way so as not to have to put in so much
Paraffin. Also it would have to not react with the paraffin as I'd hate to have slight amounts of
say...Resin, or glue burning off with the oil.

Anybody know of a good solution?
thanks
Dan in Toronto
 
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How about water? There probably is an issue with the wick. Maybe fill the bottle with glass marbles or beads. Or ball bearings or stones. Make it more stable too.
 
water. You may have to let the wick dry out between fills.
 
hutchphd said:
How about water? There probably is an issue with the wick. Maybe fill the bottle with glass marbles or beads. Or ball bearings or stones. Make it more stable too.
OK interesting. I'm trying to imagine if I were to fill it up with ball bearings ( say, half way ) then I'm obviously putting less Paraffin in the bottle. Would there be any issues with the Paraffin that does make it's way through the cracks or channels of ball bearings? Would it rust them?
thanks for the reply by the way
 
hmmm27 said:
water. You may have to let the wick dry out between fills.
I admit I'm horrible with Chemistry. Are you suggesting Water as it would not mix with the Paraffin?
 
Daniel Lee said:
Are you suggesting Water as it would not mix with the Paraffin?

Like oil and water.
 
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General question: if you put the wick down through the oil into the water will it pull up water or oil predominantly ? I fear it will be water but don't know.
 
Daniel Lee said:
I admit I'm horrible with Chemistry. Are you suggesting Water as it would not mix with the Paraffin?
As others said, oil and water.
1610829273626.png


Just make sure that the wick floats on the oil, and does not sink down into the water.
 
Daniel Lee said:
Would there be any issues with the Paraffin that does make it's way through the cracks or channels of ball bearings?
No.
Daniel Lee said:
Would it rust them?
No.
 
  • #10
I'm pretty sure the forum prohibition against advising people on how to build nuclear space ray guns doesn't apply but, if'n it was me, I'd run quite a few tests on top of a large sand or dirt base before putting it within reach of children, cats, idiot friends.

Actually, I'd probably either make an LED lamp or a bong. Frankly, I think the bottle is going to break from the heat.
 
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  • #11
That's why oil lamps have a metal fitting between the glass and the wick. That metal fitting usually has a short tube with a wick adjusting roller. The flame is separated from the glass. A wick adjustment is needed because too much wick exposure can cause a very smoky flame.

And another vote for testing outside first.
 
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  • #12
I assumed the OP was using a commercial wick and chimney assembly (you used to be able to get replacement parts at the hardware store). If not that then by all means do not proceed. You need the well designed chimney for proper burn and cooling. Not a good place to experiment.
 
  • #13
Funny, I assumed he had a floating wick assembly. If the flame is external to the skull, there's much less worrying about the glass breaking... and the normal amount of worry about open flames.
 
  • #14
 
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  • #15
Daniel Lee said:
Homework Statement:: Oil Lamp ( Paraffin help )
Relevant Equations:: Not sure what to write here

HI folks,

I'm trying to make an oil lamp from an old Vodka bottle.
The bottle is the usual 750ml and is in a skull shape bottle. ( maybe you know it )

Anyhow I have all the materials and almost ready to go but, I don't want
750ml or anything close to that number of lamp oil ( Paraffin of sorts ) in the bottle as
it may have a deadly consequences.
So my question to you all is what kind of liquid or substance can I put in the glass bottle
to fill it up ( that maybe hardens ) that can fill the bottle maybe half way so as not to have to put in so much
Paraffin. Also it would have to not react with the paraffin as I'd hate to have slight amounts of
say...Resin, or glue burning off with the oil.

Anybody know of a good solution?
thanks
Dan in Toronto
Hi folks. Thanks you so much for you help. I will try here to attach a picture of the lamp so far. Again it's a pretty thick old Vodka bottle with it's neck shaved off and Chimney glued on. I think the ball bearings or marbles idea might be the winner as it'd keep the wick from from mixing with water.
20210117_162642.jpg
 
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  • #16
Holy smokes! That's a vodka bottle? :woot:
 
  • #17
Hey Berkeman,
Yes it's actually Dan Akroyd's Vodka company from Nova Scotia
 
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  • #18
berkeman said:
Holy smokes! That's a vodka bottle? :woot:
Mind you I primed and painted it of course. It originally is clear .
 
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  • #19
Daniel Lee said:
Hey Berkeman,
Yes it's actually Dan Akroyd's Vodka company from Nova Scotia
Kinda looks like Dan after one of our parties. He used to frequent the PF Mentor lounge. Hoo-boy, those were the days...
 
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  • #20
I have a similar vodka bottle, but its an alien head instead of Dan's.
At some point in its production, the vodka or a precursor was run over some meteorite material, so its "out of this world!".
 
  • #21
berkeman said:
Kinda looks like Dan after one of our parties. He used to frequent the PF Mentor lounge. Hoo-boy, those were the days...
Oh man this is funny!
 
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  • #22
Daniel Lee said:
Mind you I primed and painted it of course.

It's just not the same without a little lead in the vodka anyway.
 
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  • #23
You might try a test tube insert. A little fiddly but sounds like just what you need.
 
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  • #24
anorlunda said:

This simply amazing. The oil seeps slowly inside and everything drowns...:))
 
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  • #25
Sand will work. Add a bit of glue if you want it to stay in place.

Glass fibre resin - be careful - it gets hot when setting.

Potting compound/resin.

Mortar.

Molten lead - don't breathe any fumes as they are extremely toxic. Don't use if it will damage the skull.

Bore a hole in the base and insert a glass bottle for the oil and glue it in place.
 
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