Lighters Starting Fires

[RangerRick]

I went through some old supplys of BIC lighters that were full of fluid a while back but would not strike, reason unknown but of course that doesn't really matter, they don't work when I want them to. I've been picking up old Zippo lighters lately in thrift stores for $5 or less and plan on using them as a source of fire. So far I've got 7 Zippo's which gives me one for each of our 3 BOB's, one for each glove box and one for home storage. Walmart sells 5 flints per pack for $.40 and a large bottle of fluid for $2.00. Consequently, I laid in 20 packs of flints and 7 bottles of fluid. Lamp oil will burn in them as well. Anyway, I figure if I need a quick light I'm set and even if the fluid has dried out a few squirts will put me back in business and they will last for many many years unlike a BIC. Didn't know if anyone else has considered this but thought I'd pass it along, as some things really don't take on importance until they're needed. Semper Paratus - always ready.

;)

Rick

[MYellowRose]

Not being a smoker I haven't given lighters much thought. I know when I tried using one to light a burner on my gas stove I always burned my thumb so I started lighting a twist of paper and lighting the burner off of that. LOL
I'll give a thought to picking up a couple of zippo's if I can find they half-way cheap. What's the max you would pay for a used one?

[RangerRick]

NIB they are $16 but I've found several at thirft stores for $4-5. For the most part they have a lifetime warranty so if you are willing to pay shipping they are good for replacing them most of the time.

Rick

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

Hey Rick. Great minds think alike!
You mentioned that the BICs were full of fuel but wouldn't strike. Do you mean that the flint doesn't spark or the spark doesn't ignite the fuel? I've had the latter happen and then lit the 'bad' lighter with another lighter. I suspect that the fluid may, over time, lose it's volatility to the point that a spark isn't hot enough.

I have a few Zippos, too. Just remember to not store them "wet" or you'll find them "dry" when you need them. I just keep a few bottles of Naphtha around.
On the subject of flints - over the years I've managed to fill a couple of pill bottles with flints that I've scavenged from empty BICs. I'll dig one out of the trash or pick it up off of the street just to get the flint and spring. I ask friends and co-workers for thier spent lighters, too. I must have a life-time supply. :o

[RangerRick]

They just don't light, the why doesn't matter to me as I want fire when I want it. Good idea to recycle BIC flints, I'll have to give it a try. Is a hammer the tool of choice?

;D

Rick

[Cil]

Hey y'all, as a smoker, what I would suggest with the Bics that aren't lighting up is to a lighted match or another lighter, strike the one that is not working, keeping the thingy you press down and then take a flame and try and light the lighter. If there's a flame, let it flame for a good long minute. Stop it and then strike it again. It should light on it's own, but if it doesn't, it probably means that the flint is bad or the connection is bad.

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

Is a hammer the tool of choice?
A hammer can be quite effective if you lack fingernails and a brain, yes. *:P
Actually though, I like to combine a task with pleasure. Here's my fave method:
I fill a plastic one-gallon milk jug with 3/4 gallon of gasoline (trying to conserve so, it's not actually full), drop the lighter in, cap it and set it on a stump. Next to it, I light a small candle and then step back 40 paces and shoot the jug with a .45 or other large caliber hollow point. The resulting fireball will easily melt the lighter and free the flint. It's important that the area around the stump be relatively free of dry or tall grass. This will aid in the recovery of the flint as you don't have to sift through as much ash. *;D ;D

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

Rick. It's been bothering me that you haven't replied. I hope you didn't take offense at my wording. It was meant to be in fun.

[Farmer]

He didn't reply because he tried it - and didn't back off far enough. I hear the doctors say he'll be up and around again shortly.

I like the Zippo's because they'll work with anything that burns. Be careful if you fill one with gasoline.

I keep a couple of flint strikers that you use to light your butane plumbing torch. If the BIC flint fails (which mine do with depressing regularity) I can light the flame with the torch striker.

[sbemt456]

A safer way to remove the flint is to take a table knife blade and pry the 2 areas that hold the little wheel in, it will fall out and then you can turn it upside sown and the flint will come out by way of spring action, so be prepared to catch the flint. :-/ Some you win some you will lose.

stella

[cinok]

But wheres the fun in that no bang or boom ;D

[RangerRick]

A hammer can be quite effective if you lack fingernails and a brain, yes. *:P
Actually though, I like to combine a task with pleasure. Here's my fave method:
I fill a plastic one-gallon milk jug with 3/4 gallon of gasoline (trying to conserve so, it's not actually full), drop the lighter in, cap it and set it on a stump. Next to it, I light a small candle and then step back 40 paces and shoot the jug with a .45 or other large caliber hollow point. The resulting fireball will easily melt the lighter and free the flint. It's important that the area around the stump be relatively free of dry or tall grass. This will aid in the recovery of the flint as you don't have to sift through as much ash. *;D ;D


Sorry for my delay in getting back to you as I have been in hospital of late. *I find that 40 paces is still a bit close however in practice your technique does work. *Tks, now I kinda know what a full body wax feels like.

Rick

[rAcErRicK]

Napalm flashbacks ? :o ;D ;D

He looks really bad Ozark ! :D
Like a pink bowling ball.