How to repair those useless new clippers

If you're a smoker you'll deinitely have noticed a decline in the quality of clipper lighters which I believe has something to do with the newer hexagonal flint wheels, the hexagon is not the problem but the flint wheel has changed and quickly wears the flint in such a way that it's useless after a week or so.

There's the problem here's the fix. As you can imagine this has been annoying me alot as the nozzle in wonder jet lighter is kaput - If I ever manage to lathe my own all will be well.

**Edit: New steps added**

Step 1: Removing the offending piece.

Right the only tools you should really need are a flathead screwdriver (large) and if you have clumsy or weak fingers pliers may be handy aswell.

Grab the flint wheel and pull up, remember this is for clippers, they have a seperate flint assembly, It simply pulls out.

Comments

[LinuxH4x0r]

I thought you repaired lighters, why would you use a disposable one? btw great instructable

[killerjackalope]

Apart from this new fault clippers are good lighters, nice enough to carry around but you'll not worry about losing.

[LinuxH4x0r]

I didn't realize they were refillable.

[killerjackalope]

Eh they're semi disposable, still I have to add some more steps, I think I ifgured out a better solution to the problem...

[drake.stone]

SEMI disposable ?????????? i know im replying in 2010 but semi disposable it has to be disposable or knot..... i think what you mean is that they can be refiled and you can get new flints for them but they are so cheep you can toss them away and get a new one for the price it costs for the gas and flints ( Killerjackalope big up the uk man )

[killerjackalope]

Yeah I just used semi disposable to shorten the sentence... I'm Belfast what about you?

[drake.stone]

i see !! im in Warrington near manchester

[sharlston]

in what way are they semi disposable?

[LinuxH4x0r]

I need to find a good refillable butane lighter so I don't have to worry about losing my zippo.

[sharlston]

how about a electronic lighter? no flint just butane and its the size of a nrmal lighter the pilot import from the poundshop are best

[killerjackalope]

Hmm my suggestion would be to buy a nicer lighter, definitely something made of metal, at least metal casing, jet lighters are pretty cheap now and do have alot of strength due to the fact that mch of them has to be metal with ceramic parts. Personally I have found that if you're in any way sensible you wont lose it, sure I managed to lose my keys on a beach but my lighter has survived many a drunken night out with me, sadly I think it may have met its maker... Zippos are nice lighters I have two, and a ronson varaflame, and a bunch of old lighters... My Zippos have never gotten lost, mainly due to the fact that a zippo has a distinct wight to it, you know whether it's in your pocket or not. Really there's no shame in a bic or some such, I tend to have a couple lying around simply because they're cheap and pretty invincible, the ten for a pound pieces of junk you see lying around are no good for anything other than blowing up, they're cheap junk.

[sharlston]

i tink the same too about disposable ones

[LinuxH4x0r]

I've never lost a lighter either, its just that I'd rather not take the chance. I was thinking of getting a cheap ronson.

[pyro13]

I got a ronson windlite, because i didn't want to lose my zippo, and they are fair quality, especially because of the price. 3.50 USD each!

[killerjackalope]

yeah they're not half bad, that or one of the candle lighters, they're not butane, they're petrol but they're reliable and cheap despite being old, search ebay to get an idea of what they are. They come apart to turn in to a candle that can be set down...

[sharlston]

are cliipers refillable and reflintable?

[drake.stone]

yes they are over 2 years for your reply lol

[BaronGreenback]

Sorry if this has been posted before, but stretching the spring a little improves the spark a great deal, no need for a spacer. Also, using a pin to scrape out the dead skin from the flint wheel helps to keep it in tip top condition.

[pyro13]

what store could i buy one of these at? I have one identical to this one, except that it is not refillable. I got 3 of them for 1$ USD. they are sort of crappy though, and leak very easily.

[sharlston]

look at wal mart behind the counter look for silver and black ones

[killerjackalope]

I don't honestly know I live in the Uk and we have them in most shops, just ask if they have any clipper lighters...

[lasersage]

Awesome, I've loved my clippers. My last ones been going strong over two years!!!! Occassional cotton bud cleaning of old flint debris keeps the gas nozzle clean and happy. Yeh flints do go, i just turn 'em upside down wear them down until I buy a new one (flint that is, not lighter). Swan flints are 9 for £1 - cheap. As for spacing the spring, thats an interesting approach, I just strectch the spring so its longer and applies more pressure again. They do soften with time. If you've used both ends of flint, and its not striking god anymore, the trick is..... hold down the gas lever whilst covering the top of the lighter with your thumb, wait a second or two for it to fill up with gas, then whilst still holding the gas lever down flick the wheel round with another finger (possibly on other hand). That'll light even if the flints knackered. As for all this talk of turbo lighters and other metal bodied refillables; the refil valva always seems to give out after a while, so stick with the clipper its the best. Don't be conned into the similarly shaped but far inferiour swan copy.

[sharlston]

if you go to morrisons they are 1 pack for 65p

[killerjackalope]

yeah the shop I work in has those swan ones, they are similar but have an awful strike and aren't much good. I do the same thing when I can't get a good spark except I simply hold the gas down and swing my thumb against the wheel pretty fast, it makes the small spark travel across the gas flow a bit more... If you stretch a spring it'll eventually end up being weaker than before after the initial strength boost. The spacer works very well really.

[sharlston]

i find the swans better for zippos

[bob_shaftenkluger]

i know this is an old post, but figured I would reply anyway. If you hold them upside down to lght that can help with nearly empty or worn out clippers. Also, if you tilt the lighter far enough when its lit, the flame will get bigger. Great for heating things......

[petergillan50]

New Clippers with the Pentaganal Flint wheel can be fixed all you have to do is find or Buy a disposable lighter and change The Flint Wheel over I did it with two and now they work Just fine Lights first time Every time . Or you could Clean your Pentaganal Flint Wheel With a tooth brush. But I think changing it over is Best. Why Not When a Clipper can Last you Years as You can change the Flint and Refill them. I personally think They did this To sell more Lighters..

[baneat]

Great tip, I was stupid enough to let the flint fly across the room doing this but amazingly I was able to find it again. Now I can light 100% of the time with my left hand!

[baneat]

My clipper just unexplainably doesn't work. New flint, produces plenty of sparks, plenty of gas, yet doesn't light most of the time. I just got a bad one, I think.

[Gavabc123]

are u a smoker

[killerjackalope]

Yes why ever do you ask?

[mrmath]

This is a good on how to repair this lighter, but I have a question. If you know that this lighter suffers from this problem, why not just switch to a different disposable lighter that doesn't?

[killerjackalope]

Other than this new fault they're good lighters, they don't give up as quick as most cheapo ones and are refillable and reflintable.

[mrmath]

So, their not really disposable lighters than. I get it. I was thinking that it was like a bic or something.

[killerjackalope]

They are and they aren't at 99p they're kind of optionally disposable...

[GorillazMiko]

Woah, that last picture is AWESOME! So is the first one. ;-) Awesome job!

[killerjackalope]

Instructable necessary? If so I can do it... Very easily considering that's a now ancient compact.