Recreational Holidays

Changing A Zippo Flint

One of the principal reasons that people choose to buy Zippo lighters is because of their reusability and their long service life. These lighters are very simple devices whose refillable components consist principally of three parts: the wick, the reservoir and the flint. The flint is located underneath the flint wheel where it is held in place by the tension of the spring, attached to a screw, which is screwed into the bottom of the reservoir.

To change one of these flints, the user first removes the lighter insert from the case. Turning the insert upside down, the user will be presented with the usually brass screw which sits atop the felt that covers the cotton reservoir insert. The screw is removed in the same fashion as is any other. Once the screw has been removed the user will see that it is attached to a long spring which holds the flint against the striking wheel.

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.

Some individuals attempt to put more than one flint in the channel to reduce the amount of times they have to change it. This usually provides unsatisfactory results. The extra flint may place too much tension on the spring for the screw to be replaced and the nearly used up flint on top is more likely to get lodged in the wheel with the extra pressure. Extras can be placed under the felt.

Ryder is a consultant for an online specialty butane lighter store and has expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including table lighters.