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.
First, you need to locate the serial number of your lighter. This should be stamped on the bottom of the case. In some instances, it is actually on the inside bottom of the outer casing, or on the side of the lighter insert. Once you have the serial number, you need to locate the manufacturer's website. On the website, you will need to use the lighter's serial number to locate the corresponding parts. Most often, you will have to order the parts and wait for them to be shipped.
If you have access to another, similar lighter, you can often determine if the flint wheel is compatible by looking at the mounting method. Some of the mounting methods used in the industry include rivets, slide bars and plastic mounts. If the flint wheel seems to be compatible, you can remove it from the donor lighter and install it on your lighter.
Removal and installation of a flint wheel will vary considerably, depending on the brand of lighter in question. For disposable lighters, the trouble with replacing a flint wheel is more than the cost of just buying a new one. In the case of a reusable lighter in need of a replacement wheel, you'll need to determine whether you have the tools needed to remove and install the wheel.
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.
First, you need to locate the serial number of your lighter. This should be stamped on the bottom of the case. In some instances, it is actually on the inside bottom of the outer casing, or on the side of the lighter insert. Once you have the serial number, you need to locate the manufacturer's website. On the website, you will need to use the lighter's serial number to locate the corresponding parts. Most often, you will have to order the parts and wait for them to be shipped.
If you have access to another, similar lighter, you can often determine if the flint wheel is compatible by looking at the mounting method. Some of the mounting methods used in the industry include rivets, slide bars and plastic mounts. If the flint wheel seems to be compatible, you can remove it from the donor lighter and install it on your lighter.
Removal and installation of a flint wheel will vary considerably, depending on the brand of lighter in question. For disposable lighters, the trouble with replacing a flint wheel is more than the cost of just buying a new one. In the case of a reusable lighter in need of a replacement wheel, you'll need to determine whether you have the tools needed to remove and install the wheel.
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.
