Introduction: DIY Zippo Esque Lighter
The Idea of this instructables it to make a lighter that stays lit out of your average Bic style lighter.
Note, Actual bic brand lighters will not work, if you take off the metal shield the spark wheel is no longer held in place.
Please rate if you like!!!
Step 1: Tools and Materials
You need the following,
A lighter
almuninum tube
a drill bit the same size as the aluminum tube
Tiki torch wick (or cotton string would work)
razor blade
super glue (or any other heat and solvent resistant adhesive)
Step 2: Take Apart
Start by taking off the metal shield then wiggle off the plastic piece and evrything should come apart pretty easily. Do not take the sparker wheel asyembly apart, if you do you will regret it.
Step 3: Drilling Cutting and Glueing
Take apart the valve and bore out the center with the drill bit, Then cut an approx 1.5 inch piece of the tube and glue it in with a tiny bit sticking out of the top.
To cut the tube, put it on the table and roll it with the razor blade while applying slight pressure it will cut it with a few strokes.
Step 4: Make the Wick
Cut a thin strip of the wicks casing with the razor blade and thread it through the aluminum tube.
Step 5: Fill
Put some lighter fluid into the body I only fill it about a half inch at a time. Then screw in the wick tube.
Step 6: Finishing Up
Now all you have to do is put the sparker back on and you are ready to go, You can put the metal shield back on but it makes it less reliable. I carry it in an altoids tin because it is not 100% leak proof.
I hope you enjoyed my instructable I am working on scratch building a zippo so you can look forward to that in the future.
28 Comments
8 years ago
It's a wick style lighter, not Zippo style. Zippo lighters are a type of wick lighter, not the other way around. Terminology is everything.
14 years ago on Introduction
kinda cool, but you can get cheap rip offs on Dealextreme (www.dealextreme.com) for really cheap with free postage and there just as good as real zippos (I have both)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Oh and this will work with bics beause the flint wheel is held in place when you take the shield off :P
14 years ago on Introduction
oh also..
on another note, author is wrong, actual bic lighters would work fine,the flint is thicker than most lighters so it would last longer thanmost disposables, the 1 problem with bics is they have a metal thingwithout a screw thread/flame adjustment(ie, have to drill it out andglue a aluminum tube in place)
14 years ago on Introduction
i see this as a arsonist's tool, have a bunch in a pack, flick 1 andtoss, it'll hit somewhere, keep burning and explode after a while, leaveout the aluminum for speed bombs or keep it on for delayed
(please note: i do not endorce use as such, and if you do, dont getcaught by steve urkle
14 years ago on Introduction
what type of lighter should I use?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
a disposable one is better
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
You extinguish it by blowing hard. Use any kind of lighter.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i made it.......it's great!...u actually dont have to blow so hard...... the only thing tt sucked is that lighter fluid would leak (via the wick) if it's upside down
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Awesome, i'm glad it worked well for you.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
hahaha!!!!!
14 years ago on Introduction
as with all plastic lighters if you leave it lit too long and the plastic will melt and since the plastic lighters are filled with presurized gas will release it and turn the place youre tanding into a fireball and moltenplastic would fly everyWHERE but cool idea of removing the gas and filling it with fluid great ible
14 years ago on Introduction
how do you extinguish the fire?
15 years ago on Introduction
awsome instructable i was trying to do this thing is the flame will start catching the plastic on fire lol
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Make the tube a little longer to protect the plastic.
15 years ago on Introduction
cant you just light it and tape it down or put a rubber band around it?
16 years ago on Introduction
or just buy a real one....
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
you could buy a real on always, but you can get a pack of fiver for a pound here of bic(like) lighters but a zippo costs about at least 5 to 10 pounds, and anyways instructables is for making things not buying things, i managed to make my own with just things lying around (litterally the person i live with leaves these lighters around everywhere) i love lighter instructables, keep up the good work
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
yes but zippos are refillable- and by the looks of it safer then this
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
This too can be refilled. And I know this is not as safe this is not meant to be a zippo replacement mearly a substitute when one is not available.