Changing the Flint in a Lighter
Zippo lighters use a flint and a steel wheel to produce spark. This spark ignites the oily lighter fluid on the wick which produces the flame. Of the four parts that make up this system-flint, wheel, wick, reservoir-the flint is the one which requires the most frequent replacement. Fortunately, this is a very easy process to complete on a Zippo and the flints are very inexpensive. There are several makes of flints but any should do fine.
Take the lighter insert out of the case and turn it upside down. On the bottom of the lighter one will see a felt covering with a hole in the middle and a screw off to the side. The screw is loosened to open up the tube in which the flints are held. This screw should be loose enough to remove by simply using one’s hands. Over tightening these devices is not good for the lighter and makes replacement difficult.
The screw is pulled out and the insert turned right side up to allow any remaining chips of flint to fall out of the lighter. Small chips of flint can become lodged in the spark wheel and prevent it from turning. In fact, a wheel that refuses to turn is oftentimes the first clue that one’s flint has been shaved down past the point of usefulness by use. One can usually just turn the wheel backwards to dislodge these chips if they become stubbornly-lodged in the devices.
One simply places the new flint in the tube to refill the flint. Some individuals place more than one flint in the tube at a time. Others prefer to place extras under the felt. Those that prefer the latter method usually do so because extra flints in the tube can sometimes compromise the performance of the lighter and add extra tension to the spring which may cause the flint to become stuck under the wheel when it wears down.
Tighten the screw but only finger-tight. The screw has a notch for a screwdriver but there’s no reason that the screw has to be tightened beyond what one’s fingers can accomplish. It will make it easier to remove the screw when the lighter needs the flints changed once more. Most often, when the flint becomes worn down, it will be perceptible by the wheel either becoming stuck or by the flint noticeably rocking back and forth beneath the wheel.
Dave Sabot is the owner of specialty butane lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including Lotus lighters, Dave also owns an online cigar accessories store.
