zippo woes

Midget

Midget

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Jun 1, 2002
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so does anyone have any tricks or ideas to fixing the zippo leak? that is, i have to fill my zippo about 2x/week, partially from use and partially because the lighter fluid evaporates escape from the case.

you'd have thought that over the years and years of widespread, common usage, they'd have thought to stick a few o-rings in there...



still, although i hate the frequent refills, i'm sticking with zippos because they have proved to be far more reliable than any butane lighter i've experienced.
 
i've heard of people putting a bicycle inner tube around a zippo, not sure if you want to do that for EDC. there are a few other ways to rig it that i've heard of but never tried.
 
The tube idea works like a champ and it also serves in keeping the zippo in the pocket better since the rubber grips. Let me know if you need some.

I have some now on my Black "Slim" zippo. I have had the fuel in their for over three months and it's still good to go.

Ryan
 
thanks for the offer, mr. Malpiede. I'm a cycling fiend though (or at least, when there's not snow on the ground), so i've got busted tubes all over the place.

how do you put it on your zippo? i mean, do you just slide it over the crack? doesn't that mean every time you want to light something you gotta pull the tube off?
 
Yes, unfortunately you would have to pull down the tube to open it. A 1" piece works fine. I'm not a smoker so I can live with it. Just hated when I needed it, It wouldn't work.

Of course now I have graduated to a Torch light that is contained in O-ring tight box.

WM362-0001.jpg

*Windmill Polycarbonate Series Lighter

Might buy one of these one day though:

WL2-2003.jpg

*Wenger WL2 Lighter
 
Never having smoked this has always puzzled me. Just what the hell iis it about a zippo that makes the owners get so attached to them? If it was any other item you'd throw it away and get a new one.
Will you love it as much when you're dragging an oxygen tank around.
Ok the last part was lame but the rest is a serious question
 
:'(

i'm actually quitting smoking. it's only been like 2 months though. all i can say is, the gum really, really sucks.


i just like carrying my zippo around for some reason. you just sort of get an attachment to it for having had it for so long. i don't think it's any different than someone's attachment to an old knife or automatic watch. i mean, people sometimes have motives alterior to utilitarian purposes.

and i'm not a huge survivalist type; i'm not going to argue that fire is this basic implement that everyone should have on them at all times in preparation for the destruction of the world. i've always just known myself to carry around a knife, lighter, pen, and watch. i think that a lot of us probably feel the same way.




and also, the sparker on our gas stove doesn't work. i use my zippo every day to light the propane when i cook. ;) ghetto college student? agreed.
 
I have owned dozens of Zippos I loved them all and and they all fit differently. Some fit the case very tightly and some don't. I used to smoke a pack to a pack and a half a day and the ones that fit the case tightly I would only have to fill once every ten days or so, the ones that were a loose fit I would have to fill every four or five days. My advice, find another zippo where the case fits more tightly.

edited to add - I liked Zippos because they would stay lit in high winds and they don't break. The disposable butane lighters won't work in a high wind and the torch like butanes would usually break if I dropped them, so Zippos it was.
 
Replace the insides with a Z-Plus Butane insert....supposed to be able to melt a penny and windproof to0.
 
mrd74 said:
Replace the insides with a Z-Plus Butane insert....supposed to be able to melt a penny and windproof to0.
Click to expand...

Which stores sell these? Is there a link to it?
 
To TomW,

I don't smoke either, but I love my Zippos since I am a pyromaniac with campfires. It's like a knife that you get attached to, it becomes a personal item.

Mike
 
I don't smoke more than like once a month, my zippo is usually only being flipped or finishing off paracord ends. I actualy have two but only keep one fueled.

I wrap electrical tape around the opening to keep it fueled during times of non-use.
 
Can somebody take a pic of their Zippo with an inner tube on it? Just curious and I am having trouble picturing it, though I have heard it recommended before.

How long will the fluid last when wrapped?
 
James Muehlner said:
Do those Z-plus inserts also leak like normal zippos would?
Click to expand...

The Z-plus doesn't leak in the same manner because it's butane-filled, not regular lighter fluid. It can only leak if there's a crack in the tank or the igniter is depressed.
 
TomW said:
Never having smoked this has always puzzled me. Just what the hell iis it about a zippo that makes the owners get so attached to them? If it was any other item you'd throw it away and get a new one.
Will you love it as much when you're dragging an oxygen tank around.
Ok the last part was lame but the rest is a serious question
Click to expand...


like everyone else says, they're windproof. Also, they are not disposable. You may have to tinker around, and perform some maintenence, but they're pretty tuneable. The fuel tastes different, so you kind of get used to it. You need not depress a gas trigger in order for it to stay lit. ladies think they're stylish.

By your logic, tom, why wouldn't people just use disposable razor knives? They're always sharp, and when the blade is trashed, you can throw it away. :eek:
Just to be clear, no offense meant, but you can enjoy a slipjoint when you know that there are nice tacticals out there...same thing
 
Re: the Z-Plus butane deal ...

Since it runs on Butane, what is the advantage over a disposable lighter like a Bic? Does it have some special feature to help it work when it's really cold or you're at high altitude?
 
Okay you experts and other helpful types ...

I just had a problem with my Zippo. I was outside clearing snow (it's above 20F and sunny) and I wanted to use it to help free a frozen lock. I couldn't get it to light! I thought it might be dry, so I added a little fuel, but then it still wouldn't work and eventually I couldn't even get a spark. When I came inside and held it in my hands for a little while, it started working like it always does.

So ... any ideas what the problem may have been? Could some snow or moisture in the air have frozen between the striker wheel and the flint or something? Why wouldn't it light when I had sparks and I knew I had fuel?

The reason I have a Zippo is so it will work in the cold and other adverse conditions!
 
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