Question about the Spark-Lite

Will · Apr 12, 2005

I just got mine in the mail today, and the flint and spring were loose in the package. I figured it was packed this way for safety reasons, but for the life of me I can't figure out to hold it in there. It seems so simple, slip in the flint, followed by the spring, then there is a little plastic rod I assume goes it last, but it won't snap into place or anything. I wonder if it is suppose to be glued in there and mine came appart somehow. I can try to take it apart and epoxy it in there but I am afraid breaking it. Any suggestions?

thanks,

Will

frediver · Apr 12, 2005

It sounds like the glue let go. Two things you can do.
1. send it back for replacement.
2.apply glue and tape it in place till it sets. Who knows crazy glue might even
work,careful of your fingers tho.
Or if you are not worried about ruining your new toy. Find a small wood or sheet metal screw that will fit the base without cracking the plastic. Use the screw to hold everything in place. It would also have an added benefit of now having a replaceable flint or spring if you ever needed to repair the unit.
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martin j · Apr 13, 2005

It sounds like you have defective Spark lite, they have lifetime warranty so you can contact them directly. I must say I am less and less impresed with Spark Lite quality, several stories now of bad ones

Will · Apr 13, 2005

martin j said:
It sounds like you have defective Spark lite, they have lifetime warranty so you can contact them directly. I must say I am less and less impresed with Spark Lite quality, several stories now of bad ones

Thanks for the replies guys, it definatley does seem as though I got a lemon.

I just tried epoxying it back together. I will take the clamp off tomorrow evening and see if it worked.

Putting a screw in the end was my first reaction, and it worked OK. It made it fell heavier though, so I figured I would try epoxy.

Probably not worth, and too late to send back. Not really a big deal for $8, but does make you wonder about realiabilty in the field. If the end pops off unexpectedly, the spring and flint go flying and are lost.

I have never had a BIC lighter break or fall apart. I found one at the bottom of the lake, and although it was all rusty, it light no problem after drying off - now that is realiability! (Although it won't work WHEN wet, which the Spark-Lite will).

Will

Will · Apr 15, 2005

Will said:
I just tried epoxying it back together. I will take the clamp off tomorrow evening and see if it worked.

Will

Worked like charm! I drilled a small hole through the end and attached a small length of cord to it as well.

I wet it thoroly and tried sparking it, and it worked, as advertized, but I noticed that A LOT of dusty crud coes out, which doesn't when it is dry. I wonder if it is just more obvious when it is wet because it clumps togther, or if the ferromag rod actually wears faster when it is wet?

After epoxying it together I realized that I should have covered the rod in nail polish as has been suggested here beafore to prevent corrosion. Anyone else tryed this on the spark-lite? Maybe I will pry it apart and try.

Will

Oak · Apr 18, 2005

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Will said:
I just got mine in the mail today, and the flint and spring were loose in the package. I figured it was packed this way for safety reasons, but for the life of me I can't figure out to hold it in there. It seems so simple, slip in the flint, followed by the spring, then there is a little plastic rod I assume goes it last, but it won't snap into place or anything. I wonder if it is suppose to be glued in there and mine came appart somehow. I can try to take it apart and epoxy it in there but I am afraid breaking it. Any suggestions?

thanks,

Will

Oak · Apr 18, 2005

Will - We apologize for the inconvience that you have had regarding our Spark-Lite. Please call 800 252-3890. It will be answered Inteldex. Inform the person answering that you are giving your address for the purpose of receiving a replacement for a defective Spark-Lite. We will forward two along with extra tinder. We perform three quality control checks on each SL. Every so often, one gets by. Each SL has a lifetime guarantee. Any SL that fails to function will be replaced.
Again, our apology. Oak

Will · Apr 19, 2005

Oak said:
Will - We apologize for the inconvience that you have had regarding our Spark-Lite. Please call 800 252-3890. It will be answered Inteldex. Inform the person answering that you are giving your address for the purpose of receiving a replacement for a defective Spark-Lite. We will forward two along with extra tinder. We perform three quality control checks on each SL. Every so often, one gets by. Each SL has a lifetime guarantee. Any SL that fails to function will be replaced.
Again, our apology. Oak

Thanks very much for the reply Oak. I tried calling today, but the number doesn't work from my calling area (Canada I guess). Is there a number with area code I can call instead?

Will

EDIT: I just called the number at the bottom of the instructions, and the woman was very agreeable and said a replacement will be sent to me tomorrow.