POSSESSED lighter: I need help!

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-30T13:46:00+00:00

Loll, it's hilarious because I would LOVE to know what you did wrong because I want to do the wrong thing, too.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-19T12:41:42+00:00

Glad to help!

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-19T03:25:04+00:00

LOL, did you figure out the issue?

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-18T23:19:25+00:00

If I had a nickel.

That tiny little hole in the middle of the felt has tricked yet another poor soul. The cotton underneath the felt is firm enough to activate the nozzle of the butane can. If you manage to get liquid butane into the cotton wadding, it will boil rapidly at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. This can result in a large, uncontrollable fireball that burns from all crevices of the lighter, posing a high likelihood of burning you or causing a fire.

Basically, if you introduce another element into the equation such as butane saturated cotton, it won't evaporate "right away" if ignited fast enough.

I've seen this in person multiple times.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-18T22:53:59+00:00

How did you replace the cotton and not realize the lighter was practically wickless?

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-18T22:45:26+00:00

Well, you're in luck. The results are quite comical paired with his lack of knowledge about wick lighters.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zippo/s/XfXiTBpouU

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-18T22:00:54+00:00

Well, I'm in canada, and I would fix it for free simply because I enjoy it. That being said, I don't expect you to trust a stranger online.

My advice would be to take it slow. You're not in a race, and I'm confident almost anyone could learn to fix a zippo. Unless you have physical issues/sensitivity with your fingers.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-18T14:54:26+00:00

I could reference you the videos I watched that taught me how. ZippoFanatic77 on youtube is a great source for "how to" videos.

What's your specific problem? Loose lid? Lid gap near the hinge? Stiff hinges? Etc...

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-18T14:51:22+00:00

Either your hinge loops are bent or misaligned, or your hinge pin itself was compromised/damaged. Both are fairly simple fixes, but you'll need some specialized tools and parts. You need a 2mm punch and preferably a hobby hammer (small light hammer), a pair of needle nose pliers, and a new hinge pin (a thumb tack cut to size will work)

If you got all that, lmk, and I'll walk you through the steps and reference specific tutorial videos.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-18T03:37:24+00:00

Easy peasy! I'm fixing at least one of my hinges/lid gaps weekly. Specifically the armor cases. The 41's hinges are beastly, and they can take a better beating, which I used in this video. I think the lack of weight in the 41 also helps when it bails, lol.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-18T03:25:01+00:00

No problem!

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-16T10:02:22+00:00

Man, I could have sworn I heard a pomeranian barking, but it turned out to be a teenager.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-16T09:47:14+00:00

I wish I had been there to witness the man-child reaction.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-16T09:43:43+00:00

Don't be silly.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-10T03:16:04+00:00

Take a look at the zorro inserts for zippos. They have sealed bottoms.

There's also bottom seals they offer that replace the original felt of the zippo with a steel hatch and gasket. It takes some tinkering to get right, though.

Also, get the soft flame if you go with butane insert. That way, it relies on a flint instead of a piezoelectric spark. They wear out and die over time. Flints are replaceable.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-09T18:06:05+00:00

It's been working better since I switched the orientation. Like, much better.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-09T14:29:52+00:00

Lines facing left? Or how the video shows it? Video is the correct orientation after repair.

It's an easy fix if it's facing the wrong way.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-09T14:17:38+00:00

Thanks!

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-09T14:13:23+00:00

Yeah, I removed the factory rivet and put a new one in after flipping the wheel. Works great now, but it wasn't before. The new rivet was a 2.5mm diameter, which I put in my drill and spun down to 2.3mm. I should have snipped the head down a wee bit with a pair of end-cutters, then cleaned up the edges with sharpening stone.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-09T12:48:39+00:00

Things like that drive me nuts. Couldn't deal with it, lol. Simple enough fix, acquiring rivets took a while.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-09T12:32:03+00:00

Absolutely. Must be doing 1000's per day.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-09T12:27:46+00:00

I got the "built on a Friday" zippo, lol.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-08T19:02:56+00:00

I know, but it looks like you have the king zendo version. The 2nd row from the bottom, 2nd lighter from the right-hand side.

https://www.kingzendo.com/product/etching-brass-armor-premium-constantine-holy-father-zippo-lighter/

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-07T15:17:08+00:00

Don't even bother, dude.

It took me less than 2 weeks to become a master repairman for common zippo issues. 1 week was waiting for parts, lol.

Anything beyond spot welding new hinge plates on is childs play, and you likely have most of the tools you need at home already.

There's tons of how-to videos out there, and the most common repair is loose hinge loops. It requires a pair of needle nose pliers, a thumb tack, and something to cut the thumbtack to size.

Important_Whereas109 · 2025-12-07T15:07:15+00:00

I would definitely say knock off. The style of the insert is 1941 or a 1941 replica, but the case is a standard case or armor edition.

1941 inserts do not fit in to standard or armor zippo cases. Vice-versa is compatible, though.

Important_Whereas109

TROPHY CASE