Your lighter is the key to enjoying that smoke, whether you enjoy cigars, cigarettes or pipes. However, if you do not maintain your lighter (and even if you do), you'll find that you need to occasionally replace parts on it. While rare, some lighters will eventually need the flint wheel replaced. This is an excellent reason to buy Zippo lighters, as they come with a full lifetime warranty. If the wheel needs to be replaced, you can simply mail the lighter in and the company will replace it at no charge to you.
Other manufacturers offer warranties as well, but not all of them do. If your lighter does not have a warranty, you need to know how to proceed with repairs and replacement. First, you should locate the lighter's serial number. Usually, this is found stamped on the bottom of the outer case. However, you might find it located on the inside of the outer case, or even on the insert somewhere. Once you have the serial number, you will need to order replacement parts from the manufacturer. This can usually be done online, though not always.
You also have the option of finding a donor lighter. Quite a few lighters make use of the same size flint wheel and the same mounting method. Inspect the donor lighter to ensure that the flint wheel is the same diameter and thickness, as well as checking the mounting method used. If they are the same, then you can simply transfer the wheel from the donor lighter to your own.
However, you will find that the process of flint wheel removal and installation vary considerably throughout the industry. Some common types of mounting include plastic bars, metal bars and rivets, though other methods do exist, as well. You will need to find out if you have the required tools to remove and mount the flint wheel before beginning the job.
Rivets are some of the most commonly used mounting methods, but you will need a couple of tools to successfully remove and install the wheel. You will need a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the rivet from the donor lighter (as well as the rivet from your own lighter). You will also need a new rivet and a pop rivet tool to reinstall the rivet when you have managed to remove it from the donor lighter.
Other manufacturers offer warranties as well, but not all of them do. If your lighter does not have a warranty, you need to know how to proceed with repairs and replacement. First, you should locate the lighter's serial number. Usually, this is found stamped on the bottom of the outer case. However, you might find it located on the inside of the outer case, or even on the insert somewhere. Once you have the serial number, you will need to order replacement parts from the manufacturer. This can usually be done online, though not always.
You also have the option of finding a donor lighter. Quite a few lighters make use of the same size flint wheel and the same mounting method. Inspect the donor lighter to ensure that the flint wheel is the same diameter and thickness, as well as checking the mounting method used. If they are the same, then you can simply transfer the wheel from the donor lighter to your own.
However, you will find that the process of flint wheel removal and installation vary considerably throughout the industry. Some common types of mounting include plastic bars, metal bars and rivets, though other methods do exist, as well. You will need to find out if you have the required tools to remove and mount the flint wheel before beginning the job.
Rivets are some of the most commonly used mounting methods, but you will need a couple of tools to successfully remove and install the wheel. You will need a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the rivet from the donor lighter (as well as the rivet from your own lighter). You will also need a new rivet and a pop rivet tool to reinstall the rivet when you have managed to remove it from the donor lighter.
About the Author:
Dave Sabot is the owner of specialty lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including lotus lighters, Dave also authors a highly rated blog featuring lighter repair.
0 comments:
Post a Comment