Also, a butane lighter works better if you turn it to it's lowest flame setting BEFORE filling and as Jeff said, purge the air.. sometimes if a lighter won't work at all , just by turning the flame to lowest setting and purging the excess air (and cleaning the nozzle) will make your lighter work like new ( Don't forget to turn the flame back up after you are done). This works Especially well w the thunderbird insert for zippos. Good vid Jeff. It's really frustrating when you have a special lighter n it just won't work.
On the lighter you couldn’t fix, the smaller screw is the flame adjuster. When you took it out it is definitely a valve with an O ring. Do not try adjusting anything in that hole! Just turn the screw for desired flame without taking it out. Plus a lot of lighters end up with leaking valves and I find if you change the O ring it usually solves the problem.
Thank you so much for the video. I did exactly like you said and I fixed my Bugatti double flame torch lighter. It works beautifully again, with two huge blue flames. Thanks again, very helpful video.
It's funny to me when I read the comments section to find it contains far more and far better information than the instructional type video I just watched
Yep. Applies across the entire spectrum of videos. It's one of those 'insider secrets' that once you know will improve the quality of your life from then on.
I learned the hard way to never adjust the flame while lit like you did in this video. I was adjusting the flame and the screw popped out and engulfed me in a fireball. Luckily butane burns out quick, but I still suffered minor burns on face, arms and chest.
I put plumbing tape around the butane tip just enough to seal it and I was able to fill it up. Thank you u helped me figure out what to do I figured I’d let you know what I did to make it work.
I bought a working vintage lighter and after a month took the end off just to look and saw the white threads. Lol. I’m not even mad, I repair them but if it works it works! Gave me another option if I had to use it. Lol
Most all the cans I get have the adapters in the lid of the can. My favorite is a brand called clipper in a yellow can, it comes with the 5 different adapters plus a rubber tip that seems to be a universal adapter and the can is 140gr. 4.94 oz witch seems to be about 9 fl.oz for $2.29 I bought the store out twice. Burns great as well
The different nozzles for different lighters are in the clipper butane gas can lids. There are 6 nozzles that you can break off and use. Great video with some useful tips.
Clipper is okay if you don't mind using 100% isobutane, but that's largely considered to be of subpar quality compared to other brands that usually offer blends closer to 50%/25%/25% n-butane/isobutane/propane. I recommend sticking with Whip-It Premium Butane if it's sold at your local smoke shop. It's one of the purest butane blends available, in one of the largest sized cans available, and for a price that is cheaper than most. I was able to get two 420mL cans in a BOGO offer for $7 a couple of days ago.
A lot of the "cheap" butane brands here still come with adapters in the cap, I haven't seen it on the higher-end (Calibri, Zippo, Power, etc...) in a long time though.
Useful hint: You can make a disposable adapter using electrical tape. Simply cut about two inches of electric tape, fold it into a square so its nice and thick, poke a hole in the middle, fit it onto the butane can, bend the corners inward, and push it into the lighter filler.
I have a bunch of those rubber tubes from the inside of lighters that were totally wrecked. The tubes fit over the refill can tips if they're skinny metal. It can be a short length, just needs to be flush with the end of the refill tip.
Thank you so much! I don't know anything about lighters and just refilled a torch lighter and couldn't find any info about the adjustment thingy I was messing with at the bottom and was worried I did something bad. Now I feel confident that I will not blow up my hand or face!
they had ..but Zippo is the only way ,must say i love the US..Elvis ,BBQ,good Tools !..if you dont like it now it get to ypu when you get older ..even Elvis !
Hey Jeff, Colibri butane 300 ml cans come with the adapters in the lid, I get them from a local tobacco store here in East Tennessee, I can send you some if you'd like, it'd be no problem at all :)
The caps with the different tips are at most gas stations that are family owned. Most major stores or stations (like 711) that are corporate, do not sell em. I just bought one about 5 minutes ago. Came with 5 adapters and a hidden rubberized one inside the cap in the middle. Perfect for refilling my regular bics and using a push pin to clog the hole
Don't know if anyone has already mentioned this, but the best tool you can get for cleaning out tiny clogged holes is a set of oxy-acetylene nozzle cleaners, which are very cheap and available from any welding supplier.
@@traceypedigo6405 No, it's a set of graduated thin wire rods specifically designed for cleaning out tiny holes in gas nozzles, so ideal for this task.
This video helped me getting my Zippo single torch insert working good. Simple twist of the adjustment valve from low to high a couple of times worked perfect. Thank you for video.
Yes sir, I have bought different types of butane and some have the adapters on the ring as you said and some are molded into the inside of the top. I have gotten them lately. I've worked on several also thanks for your informative shows. Keep On Keepin On!!
I'm in Norfolk VA and I go to smoke shack and I get neon 750 premium butane 750 ml / 25.36 fl. Oz and every can has come with 3 adapters inside the cap
Piezo is the type of crystal used to generate electicity from the kinetic energy of pressing that plastic column down. It's prenounced like fiesta! =) Nice video!!!
Good video and cool lighters! I've got a butane lighter that's not a jet / windproof just a normal flame but it will only light once out of about 50 clicks! The spark is fine and I've tried emptying, cleaning refilling, adjusting, etc but it still doesn't work well! Maybe just a cruddy lighter idk!
Blakehx Can you say the spark is fine do you mean that it is spark goes directly to the fuel nozzle where the flame would come from when it decides to light lol Another suggestion I have is I found if I shake the lighter and if possible just Piezoelectric igniter itself if it rattles that means the quartz inside of its it’s broken which sadly can happen after being dropped a few times and it’s not gonna be reliable Majority of the time you can swap it out for a new one just get a cheap lighter and make sure that it clicks that clicking is the igniter other wise you’ll just end up with a flint ignition style lighter and that will do you no good LOLitself and just sure that the piezoelectric igniter works on the new lighter then swap them out.
GODSOFTHEGUITARS Ya it sparks correctly with pretty much every click. I haven't completely dismantled it yet but probably will at some point! I have a feeling that it's a combo problem of a spark that's not very strong and weak flow of gas. It's just a slide adjustment so all the way to the right is all the way on but it's still a small flame and sometimes it won't even light with a match! It was cheap and worked OK for a few weeks but it's probably ready for the trash bin
Q-tip with a little lighter fluid to clean the top part of the lighter worked! Glad I checked out the video, almost threw out the lighter and got a new one! Thanks!!!
I don't have the butane dispenser in front of me right now, but this one came with the adapters and I never could figure out what they were for. Now I know! Thank you. I'm having a similar-but-different problem with my electric spark lighters. They're cheap lighters (Taj), and after 10 to 20 uses, the click fails. I can hear the butane coming out, but pressing the button down just releases the butane - there's no spark to light it. Any suggestions on how to fix that? Thank you!
The little black plastic piece inside the lighter that you press down, with the wire coming out of it, is called the Piezoelectric ignition, that's why that lighter said piezo on the bottom.
@@cutlerylover Its a piezo quartz crystal, there's a lil itsy bitsy thin slither of it in the brass (non-conductive) cylinder in the black plastic igniter element. When you depress the end-cap, you're activating a spring-loaded hammer inside that hits the crystal, the compressed crystal discharges a chain reaction of energy (pure super-high voltage electricity) The piezo crystal renders about 900 to 2000 volts as the air gap ionizes to terminate the discharge, depending on the amount and quality of the crystal in the igniter. It will never keel because the amperage is gauged milliamps not enough to singe the bollox on a fruit fly!
@The Geezer Not a piezo quartz crystal. It IS a Piezoelectric ignitor, but Piezoelectric ignitors as found in electric ignition butane lighters use a crystal known as PZT, or Lead zirconate titanate, which is a piezoelectric ceramic of high sensitivity but low production cost, so it's perfect for creating fires in $2 lighters.
Great tips, thanks? A note on the last tip, cleaning the clogged up tip: I got a set of micro drill bits from abroad for a few £€$, used the biggest that would fit and just span it by hand and got a lot of gunk from our there. Fixed up a very nice old lighter I got pretty cheap cause it wasn't working 😍 I have a similar lighter refill port, used the blue adaptor from a can of Newport Zero :) It's the wide ish one with the off centre whole in the end. It pushes the central point and allows gas in because the whole in the adaptor isn't centered
They make drill bits that thin? The little outlet hole on my lighter is approximately 0.25 to 0.30 mm wide. Neither pin nor sewing needle will fit in the hole. Believe me I tried. The only solution I found that seemed to clear the clog, at least temporarily, is an air intake cleaner for your car. It's purpose is to clean carbon deposits. Its a spray can and it usually comes with a thin straw you can attach to the nozzle for more precise aim. It's important not to use any carburetor cleaner though. It has to be a specific cleaner meant to clean the sensor on the air intake. Because its the only one safe for plastic. In America, it's called "Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner" made by CRC. i don't know what it's called in UK or Europe. What I do is attach the thin red straw to the spray can nozzle and put the other end of the straw over the lighter nozzle and spray two or three quick bursts into the lighter. Shake the lighter. Repeat a few more times. If I have something thin enough like your micro drill bits, I'd use it to probe the hole for additional cleaning. The lighter will light afterwards but it will eventually clog again. The lighter will work for several months if you use good butane. Always use quality butane to minimize clogging. EDIT: I should've mentioned that this method is for lighters with soft candle flame. I have no idea if it'll work on jet torch lighters.
@@4eightyvolt interesting! I was looking up car videos to see what cleans carbon lol. I also thought of heating tip then shocking with cold water to detach carbon in my torch lighters.
@@4eightyvolt you could try a beading needle, they are exceptionally thin. The brand Clover do a 4 pack with two size 10 and two size 13 in it for couple of quid. Works well for me.
Jeff, I just bought some butane gas on Amazon. It is a 10 fl. oz. can. The name is Newport Zero. It is extra purified. It has 8 different tips in the cap. Also 2 free flints in cap. Says it is made in England. Hope this helps.
Here in England butane refill still comes with adaptors molded into the lid and cut so they're held in by a little tab, you just push them with your finger and they pop out.
Yo the adapter tip saved my lighter! It's a cheap one from the gas station,but I like it and it held up for quite a while! I had taken the tubing off from the reservoir to see if they were clogged and for the life of me I could not figure it out. Turns out I'm just stupid! Lmao thanks man!
On the second lighter, I'll give him credit that he can kinda spell sump'n he's looking at on the bottom, doesn't even try to pronounce that sump'n that just so happens to be what he's been talking about. Rock steady. With quartz. Don't confuse him. If you told him, he might ask you, "Quarts of what?" Just funnin' ya, dude. Good info.
@Blue I have personally never seen that kind of a clog. But what i do know is people use shit butane instead of good quality butane and it ends up clogging the jet.
0:03 Ah, dating zippos... I once dated one and didn't find out till later it was only 16 years old. Some of those lighter look older than they actualy are.
Thanks for the help it was really helpful i thought my lighter is broken and so i bought a new one but the new one stopped working today and then i watched your fix and now its all good 😁
8:20 - You still get these alternative adapters in most butane cans (for lighters). Looking at these adaptors, the one at 9 0'clock fits that lighter (same one that you use with the Colibri Molectric '88' lighter valve). Its not a perfect adaptor, there can be a little leakage while filling, but it works fine.
I personally don't like Piezo ignition on lighters, stoves or grills. They are cheaply made and just plain out fail at some point. I much rather have flint ignition as that really can't fail.
I don't know what part of the country are in but they still sell the butane bottles with different adapters on the cap imfact out here in Los Angeles half the time I buy a butane bottle it comes with multiple adapters
I recently found butane on Amazon that has the adapters you’re talking about. Vector is the name and I think I bought it in a 4 pk. Works great and the adapters do come in handy!
If you go to refill the lighter and you force to much butane into the tank it will create a space between the plastic tank threads and the out side of the threaded metal shut off stem . If you hear the butane leaking out wait till its empty then take the lighter apart . To remove the shut off valve and housing with the threads on it you have to unscrew the flame adjuster screw . It screws into the metal shut off housing . Once the flame screw stem is unscrewed you can unscrew the metal piece from the tank . cut a strip of yellow teflon gasline PTFET tape its sold at lowes or home depot next to the white tape but get the yellow color . Cut it long enough to just cover the threads on the metal piece one time with a small over lap . stretch the tape so you see the threads and push the tape into the threads with your finger and screw it back in place . Is will stop the leak . The leak is not coming from the inside of the valve but around the treads . The tape will seal off the leak and you will not have any butane escaping.
9:10 all my bottles still have those adapters on their caps. But I live in Turkey so maybe the manufacturers in the US stopped making those. They're so damn handy tho
Excellent _cutlerylover_ advice tendered on purging a lighter! This is actually quite an important aspect of lighter ownership functionality that hardly anyone executes. Cigarette lighters are fundamental EDC articles but actually require technical maintenance for correct trouble-free utilization. So don't just fill em, purge em first! ✔
@jbbolts no, actually occasionally you you'll get basically a vapor lock. Not always, it is rather rare on most lighters. Some are just more susceptible to vapor lock and at that point a purge is necessary.. I've had a few that wouldn't light until purged then refilled
The adapters definitely existed and still do exist in the caps of many cans of butane fuel, but that doesn't rule out the possibility that you are crazy. That possibility is lent increasing probability when you remove the adjustment valve with the assertion that it is "another cap" and you need another long thin screw driver to reach into the tank to adjust the flame.
I bought a can of VECTOR GAS, filtered 14 times for purity. Since it was a new product, the universal tip fit, by the way, the universal tip, that comes on the VECTOR gas can, is metal, much better than most plastic tips. Now, about the adapters. While examining the cap of the gas can, I found that all the adapters are built into the lid. You choose the one you need and detach it from the inside of the cap. While it no longer comes with adapters on a ring placed around the nozzle, they are stored in the cap of the gas can. I would like to recommend the VECTOR brand for it's serious capacity, 320ml, and, it's about the size of a can of hairspray. This brand of fuel is made by the VECTOR Corp. for their brand of windproof lighters.
I just got an Arc insert and Butane Single today (Zippo), Took me a few tries to realise the arc was a double tap to ignite switch, and then I checked the little insert (I'm a dude, of course I'm not going to read the manual first). Yeah, was really disappointed with the butane and thought I was not filling it correctly. I did not bleed it first before first fill. My bad. I used a standard Zippo/flame lighter to hold in front of the butane stream till it lit and let it run till hot, well over the recommended 10 second limit. Did it about 6 times, and now after adjusting by trial and error for the flame size, I have found it works if I slow press the button. So far it doesn't fire first go every time, sometimes it takes 3-5 clicks. I'll give it one or two refills before resorting to the full fix I found on YT. I wouldn't necessarily say it's "Chinese Manufacture", but a serious design flaw from Zippo itself. The Chinese aren't going to put parts in that aren't on the design spec/parts list. Though they could do some proper QC and check the lighters and then bleed them empty. I wish it had a clear window side or insert or clear (indicator) slit. A Zippo should fire first time everytime till no fuel. Anything less is unacceptable for this brand IMHO. Imagine being a soldier and having to take the insert apart, get rid of the limiter, and put it back together, to get your brand new lighter to work.
I live in Germany, and most of the butane bottles have the ring of adapters you were talking about. Some of the smaller ones don't, but I don't think I've ever seen a big one without it.
They for sure have the tips on lesser branded butane cans. For that lighter you may have to rough it and buy a cheap can from the gas station and use the adapters with your regular fuel.
I always buy butane with those little plastic adapters in there here.. doesn't matter if it's a premium butene or cheap regular ne on one The adapters or always underneath the cap
The "PIEZO" on the bottom of that lighter ? Is a PIEZO electric igniter, you know, that little plastic thingy that makes the spark that you used to shock your classmates with .... THAT'S what it's called, a PIEZO electric igniter...
Newport butane has all the tip adapters color coded and built into the cap and on the side of the can it has a list of all the major brands of butane lighters with the corresponding colored tips that work for each lighter brand
Thanks for the video. I have a newer z-pipe insert that I got from pipes and cigars as part of a promo. It never works reliably. After following your cleaning tip it works great. I assumed with the higher quality filtered butane this would not be necessary.
Those caps with the extra tips DID exist. I remember getting butane in the late 2000s with those caps. They ALWAYS came with those caps. But I havnt seen one like that in a long time either
Well ironically I purchased a can of clipper brand butane that has the tips in the top of the cap just today while I was working i stopped by a little tobacco shop in Abingdon Virginia I got a 4.94 oz. can for 2.79
This is really interesting and I was listening really hard while taking apart an old butane lighter I have. It seems like it has a leak to me and I can’t figure out how to get into the body of it. I’d love to send it to you!
I bought a can of Colibri brand butane within the last couple of years and it has alla' the little adapter tips with it. Also, perchance did you offer lighter repairs on Ebay last year?
I have the adjustment tips for butane, where are you located? I'm from Canada in manitoba and I bought the butane like a month ago and had the tips on the lid :)
I recently scored a super slim lil elegant Flamex. Rubbed down with ethanol, sparked beautifully, got ready to fill er up...til I realized the tank valve was also super slim lil dainty thing. Of course the butane I got was a cheapo 3 buck plastic nozzle can. Going to a cigar shop tomorrow for advice.
My very limited Italian vocab leads me to believe it's Domani, which translates to "Tomorrow". I remember it because I replace the word Tomorrow with Domani in the song from Annie. Doesn't sound as catchy, but helps me remember
I have an old butane lighter that I purchased in the late 70's or early 80's and was wondering why it all of a sudden stopped working. Never thought about the adaptors no longer coming with fuel. Will have to purchase and see if I can get it working again. Thought it was leaking fuel. Thanks.
I have a Calibri # 947 lighter/cutter. Problem is to much gas comes out even when I adjust it and doesn't ignite because of to much gas. What do you think is the problem and are replaceable parts universal if so where is a good website you recommend to buy parts. Thanks I appreciate taking the time to answer and thank you for your video's
Here in Europe the fuel tanks still come with the adapters, unfortunately however, the Ronson adapter is very leaky. You might try looking at the cheaper refill containers, most of those still have the multi tip adapters. I would not risk using that fuel in a fine lighter.
Butane fluid bottles still have the adapters. Zippo does not though. What butane fluid(s) would you recommend that are the most superior on the market?
there are still butane cans that come with adapters. not all brands but a lot still do. I think most lighter makers switched to the other fill holes to make everything easier.
Hello, Iv recently taken up fixing some lighters, the lighter iv got is the second one you are talking about with a similar system. I do have the adapters but I simply can't get the tank to fill, what could be the problem? Thanks!
The adapters are on all the butane cannisters in Australia as far as I know. However, I also bought some brass adapters from China that I keep in a clip lock bag.
Not totally related but I have my nans old lighter a bit like these and I just can't seem to get it to work. I undid the screw to look inside and all of the pieces fell out and I don't know how to put it back together. Is there any way I can email you some photos to see if you can figure it out?
Hey Jeff, I have an older Scripto USA BUTANE that has a manual thumb strike spark wheel like a zippo but it is a butane lighter but I don't have any idea of how to use it or refill it. Would you please let me send you this lighter and see if you can get it working? Please let me know what you think and I will talk soon my friend.
if you go to a smokeshop where they sell the big cans of butane usually it'll be some imported kind or just random brand but you can get these huge cans of it for like $2-6 and almost all of these always have the extra tips, not a ring of it like the picture but they're actually like part of the injection mold the cap is made of. I don't think anything even uses 3/5 of them these days. Also just FYI you have slightly misunderstood the whole purging thing. It's not about purging the fuel and emptying the fuel out of the tank, it's about purging the AIR out of the tank which is what causes a lighter to not light on the first click simply because theirs air mixed in and it's not getting the proper amount of fuel it needs for ignition. To purge what you do is while filling it with butane you first fill it for 2-3 seconds, then purge some of the gas out of the tank, then fill it again for 4-6 seconds you'll find that it then lights more reliably because it's getting pure fuel out of the tank.
I'm new to butane lighters I just got mine a kept bleeding it an nothing changed. Looked plenty of videos an they are like keep bleeding it will eventually work. Ur video was the only one that explained my exact problem felt dumb cuz it was a easy thing to adjust but thank u
If you go to a smoke shop you can buy butane with the plastic adapters built into the lids or you can buy a separate nicer set by a lighter line, but the plastic ones are just as good.
Hi. I have a number of fairly old but nice/unusual/desired brands butane lighters (some converted from Zippo-type fuel to butane), but many of them have the same problem - the “click” to create the spark no longer clicks to generate the spark. I’ve checked the other elements of these lighters - the arm or arms to lift the gas valve open function correctly, the tank holds gas, the nozzle is clear and butane can flow out, so I’m reasonably confident that it the small black rectangular column that is no longer function - not generating a spark and not returning to the “ready” position after pushing it down. Do you know if these small black rectangular columns can be replaced, and if so, where can I buy them ? Many thanks !!
Though it hasn't been answered I was thinking the same thing and that's the only thing I have thought of was to take it out of another lighter .. edit so I did take it out of a cheap one to put it in my expensive chef torch and voila it works 😊
Yes I do remember that. And some of the cans of butane dose still have them tips. I have a ? For you can you fix one that the valve is leaking or leaking around the outside of the valve? Thank you
You still get the various sized nozzles from the princess auto cans of butane. I've only ever seen and used 2 sizes. Also "piezo" is the type of igniter any batteryless lighter uses, it's a crystal that when put under pressure generates a small electrical current, thus the spark. They are also often used in some fuel injectors however they are in reliable and fail unpredictablty.
Also, a butane lighter works better if you turn it to it's lowest flame setting BEFORE filling and as Jeff said, purge the air.. sometimes if a lighter won't work at all , just by turning the flame to lowest setting and purging the excess air (and cleaning the nozzle) will make your lighter work like new ( Don't forget to turn the flame back up after you are done). This works Especially well w the thunderbird insert for zippos. Good vid Jeff. It's really frustrating when you have a special lighter n it just won't work.
Cool nice to know thxxx🎉
Have been trying to fix my
Lighter for so long and this just fixed it thank you so much 😂
Those tips are on tons of different butane lids to this day. Like 80% of the butane I see now still comes with them.
ya looking at one right now its in the actual cap got 5 different sizes
www.lowes.com/pd/MagTorch-Fuel-Cell-Refill/1001349430?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-tol-_-google-_-lia-_-142-_-welding-_-1001349430-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=CjwKCAjw2ZaGBhBoEiwA8pfP_p5NWcTLTkOzjAZK_tRjisxabzs1VVpNU0vlrsf42ZmodIP7rozi8RoCsW0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Yeah mine has like 6
Actually 5
I would not be suprised if they were banned by regulation in some states like say... California.
On the lighter you couldn’t fix, the smaller screw is the flame adjuster. When you took it out it is definitely a valve with an O ring. Do not try adjusting anything in that hole! Just turn the screw for desired flame without taking it out. Plus a lot of lighters end up with leaking valves and I find if you change the O ring it usually solves the problem.
Thank you so much for the video. I did exactly like you said and I fixed my Bugatti double flame torch lighter. It works beautifully again, with two huge blue flames. Thanks again, very helpful video.
It's funny to me when I read the comments section to find it contains far more and far better information than the instructional type video I just watched
Yep. Applies across the entire spectrum of videos. It's one of those 'insider secrets' that once you know will improve the quality of your life from then on.
Clipper universal 7x butane still has adapters on the lid
I learned the hard way to never adjust the flame while lit like you did in this video. I was adjusting the flame and the screw popped out and engulfed me in a fireball. Luckily butane burns out quick, but I still suffered minor burns on face, arms and chest.
I put plumbing tape around the butane tip just enough to seal it and I was able to fill it up. Thank you u helped me figure out what to do I figured I’d let you know what I did to make it work.
I bought a working vintage lighter and after a month took the end off just to look and saw the white threads. Lol. I’m not even mad, I repair them but if it works it works! Gave me another option if I had to use it. Lol
Most all the cans I get have the adapters in the lid of the can. My favorite is a brand called clipper in a yellow can, it comes with the 5 different adapters plus a rubber tip that seems to be a universal adapter and the can is 140gr. 4.94 oz witch seems to be about 9 fl.oz for $2.29 I bought the store out twice. Burns great as well
The different nozzles for different lighters are in the clipper butane gas can lids. There are 6 nozzles that you can break off and use. Great video with some useful tips.
They still have the butane cans with the different sized ends for the nozzle all across Canada! Just letting you know!
Clipper is okay if you don't mind using 100% isobutane, but that's largely considered to be of subpar quality compared to other brands that usually offer blends closer to 50%/25%/25% n-butane/isobutane/propane. I recommend sticking with Whip-It Premium Butane if it's sold at your local smoke shop. It's one of the purest butane blends available, in one of the largest sized cans available, and for a price that is cheaper than most. I was able to get two 420mL cans in a BOGO offer for $7 a couple of days ago.
A lot of the "cheap" butane brands here still come with adapters in the cap, I haven't seen it on the higher-end (Calibri, Zippo, Power, etc...) in a long time though.
Power still has them
Colibri 300ml still has the adapters on the cap. Just in case you need them.
what do you mean by you have not seen it on those brands of lighters?
what is Power?
I purchased Zippo fuel tonight that had a ring of 5 adapter tips at my local Kroger store.
Useful hint: You can make a disposable adapter using electrical tape. Simply cut about two inches of electric tape, fold it into a square so its nice and thick, poke a hole in the middle, fit it onto the butane can, bend the corners inward, and push it into the lighter filler.
I have a bunch of those rubber tubes from the inside of lighters that were totally wrecked. The tubes fit over the refill can tips if they're skinny metal. It can be a short length, just needs to be flush with the end of the refill tip.
MAG-TORCH butane refill cans have the 5 tip adapters built into the plastic top. For those who were wondering
Thank you so much! I don't know anything about lighters and just refilled a torch lighter and couldn't find any info about the adjustment thingy I was messing with at the bottom and was worried I did something bad. Now I feel confident that I will not blow up my hand or face!
FYI after filing this video I spent more time looking and did find an offbrand fuel that includes the tips as well as they are sold alone on amazon...
cutlerylover lol I was about to send you a handful of the adapters. Every vector or vertigo can comes with them.
they had ..but Zippo is the only way ,must say i love the US..Elvis ,BBQ,good Tools !..if you dont like it now it get to ypu when you get older ..even Elvis !
cutlerylover was gonna send you that link
Hey Jeff, Colibri butane 300 ml cans come with the adapters in the lid, I get them from a local tobacco store here in East Tennessee, I can send you some if you'd like, it'd be no problem at all :)
The adapters come on Newport, LG colibri and vector caps. Probably other quality butane but these are 3 I know of.
9:03 For me the adapters are usually molded in the cap of the refill, you twist them loose from there.
Oh wow I've been trying to get mine to work last night for an hour or so and its crazy you have a new video up about it right now
The caps with the different tips are at most gas stations that are family owned. Most major stores or stations (like 711) that are corporate, do not sell em. I just bought one about 5 minutes ago. Came with 5 adapters and a hidden rubberized one inside the cap in the middle. Perfect for refilling my regular bics and using a push pin to clog the hole
Don't know if anyone has already mentioned this, but the best tool you can get for cleaning out tiny clogged holes is a set of oxy-acetylene nozzle cleaners, which are very cheap and available from any welding supplier.
What is it? A teeny brush?
@@traceypedigo6405 No, it's a set of graduated thin wire rods specifically designed for cleaning out tiny holes in gas nozzles, so ideal for this task.
This video helped me getting my Zippo single torch insert working good. Simple twist of the adjustment valve from low to high a couple of times worked perfect.
Thank you for video.
Yes sir, I have bought different types of butane and some have the adapters on the ring as you said and some are molded into the inside of the top. I have gotten them lately. I've worked on several also thanks for your informative shows. Keep On Keepin On!!
I'm in Norfolk VA and I go to smoke shack and I get neon 750 premium butane 750 ml / 25.36 fl. Oz and every can has come with 3 adapters inside the cap
Piezo is the type of crystal used to generate electicity from the kinetic energy of pressing that plastic column down. It's prenounced like fiesta! =) Nice video!!!
Piezo is the ignition type, shortened from "Piezoelectric". The type of crystal which Piezoelectric ignitors use is called PZT.
@@GR8APE69 Thanks for that rectification!
Yes I remember those adapters. Was from the 90’s. But they are still here today, underneath the butane cap.
Good video and cool lighters! I've got a butane lighter that's not a jet / windproof just a normal flame but it will only light once out of about 50 clicks! The spark is fine and I've tried emptying, cleaning refilling, adjusting, etc but it still doesn't work well! Maybe just a cruddy lighter idk!
Blakehx Can you say the spark is fine do you mean that it is spark goes directly to the fuel nozzle where the flame would come from when it decides to light lol
Another suggestion I have is I found if I shake the lighter and if possible just Piezoelectric igniter itself if it rattles that means the quartz inside of its it’s broken which sadly can happen after being dropped a few times and it’s not gonna be reliable Majority of the time you can swap it out for a new one just get a cheap lighter and make sure that it clicks that clicking is the igniter other wise you’ll just end up with a flint ignition style lighter and that will do you no good LOLitself and just sure that the piezoelectric igniter works on the new lighter then swap them out.
GODSOFTHEGUITARS Ya it sparks correctly with pretty much every click. I haven't completely dismantled it yet but probably will at some point! I have a feeling that it's a combo problem of a spark that's not very strong and weak flow of gas. It's just a slide adjustment so all the way to the right is all the way on but it's still a small flame and sometimes it won't even light with a match! It was cheap and worked OK for a few weeks but it's probably ready for the trash bin
Q-tip with a little lighter fluid to clean the top part of the lighter worked! Glad I checked out the video, almost threw out the lighter and got a new one! Thanks!!!
I bought some Neon 11X fuel and it has those things in the lid you break off. I thought they were all the same and used to bleed the tank.
I don't have the butane dispenser in front of me right now, but this one came with the adapters and I never could figure out what they were for. Now I know! Thank you.
I'm having a similar-but-different problem with my electric spark lighters. They're cheap lighters (Taj), and after 10 to 20 uses, the click fails. I can hear the butane coming out, but pressing the button down just releases the butane - there's no spark to light it. Any suggestions on how to fix that?
Thank you!
If it isn't clicking, bang it on a table (top side down) that fixes it sometimes.
The little black plastic piece inside the lighter that you press down, with the wire coming out of it, is called the Piezoelectric ignition, that's why that lighter said piezo on the bottom.
:) thanks I did not know that
@@cutlerylover Its a piezo quartz crystal, there's a lil itsy bitsy thin slither of it in the brass (non-conductive) cylinder in the black plastic igniter element. When you depress the end-cap, you're activating a spring-loaded hammer inside that hits the crystal, the compressed crystal discharges a chain reaction of energy (pure super-high voltage electricity) The piezo crystal renders about 900 to 2000 volts as the air gap ionizes to terminate the discharge, depending on the amount and quality of the crystal in the igniter. It will never keel because the amperage is gauged milliamps not enough to singe the bollox on a fruit fly!
@The Geezer Not a piezo quartz crystal. It IS a Piezoelectric ignitor, but Piezoelectric ignitors as found in electric ignition butane lighters use a crystal known as PZT, or Lead zirconate titanate, which is a piezoelectric ceramic of high sensitivity but low production cost, so it's perfect for creating fires in $2 lighters.
You’re absolutely correct back the days butane fuel can came with adapters.
Some still do
Most still do
Great tips, thanks?
A note on the last tip, cleaning the clogged up tip:
I got a set of micro drill bits from abroad for a few £€$, used the biggest that would fit and just span it by hand and got a lot of gunk from our there.
Fixed up a very nice old lighter I got pretty cheap cause it wasn't working 😍
I have a similar lighter refill port, used the blue adaptor from a can of Newport Zero :)
It's the wide ish one with the off centre whole in the end. It pushes the central point and allows gas in because the whole in the adaptor isn't centered
They make drill bits that thin? The little outlet hole on my lighter is approximately 0.25 to 0.30 mm wide. Neither pin nor sewing needle will fit in the hole. Believe me I tried.
The only solution I found that seemed to clear the clog, at least temporarily, is an air intake cleaner for your car. It's purpose is to clean carbon deposits. Its a spray can and it usually comes with a thin straw you can attach to the nozzle for more precise aim. It's important not to use any carburetor cleaner though. It has to be a specific cleaner meant to clean the sensor on the air intake. Because its the only one safe for plastic. In America, it's called "Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner" made by CRC. i don't know what it's called in UK or Europe.
What I do is attach the thin red straw to the spray can nozzle and put the other end of the straw over the lighter nozzle and spray two or three quick bursts into the lighter. Shake the lighter. Repeat a few more times. If I have something thin enough like your micro drill bits, I'd use it to probe the hole for additional cleaning. The lighter will light afterwards but it will eventually clog again. The lighter will work for several months if you use good butane. Always use quality butane to minimize clogging.
EDIT: I should've mentioned that this method is for lighters with soft candle flame. I have no idea if it'll work on jet torch lighters.
@@4eightyvolt interesting! I was looking up car videos to see what cleans carbon lol. I also thought of heating tip then shocking with cold water to detach carbon in my torch lighters.
@@4eightyvolt you could try a beading needle, they are exceptionally thin. The brand Clover do a 4 pack with two size 10 and two size 13 in it for couple of quid. Works well for me.
Jeff, I just bought some butane gas on Amazon. It is a 10 fl. oz. can. The name is Newport Zero. It is extra purified. It has 8 different tips in the cap. Also 2 free flints in cap. Says it is made in England. Hope this helps.
Here in England butane refill still comes with adaptors molded into the lid and cut so they're held in by a little tab, you just push them with your finger and they pop out.
Thank you sir! Your instructions have helped fix my lighter.
Yo the adapter tip saved my lighter! It's a cheap one from the gas station,but I like it and it held up for quite a while! I had taken the tubing off from the reservoir to see if they were clogged and for the life of me I could not figure it out. Turns out I'm just stupid! Lmao thanks man!
Come on Jeff you should know that spark being made is by a piezo electric generator
Lmao look at this guy so what
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Also found quite incredible that Jeff doesn’t know what Piezo electric is!
On the second lighter, I'll give him credit that he can kinda spell sump'n he's looking at on the bottom, doesn't even try to pronounce that sump'n that just so happens to be what he's been talking about.
Rock steady. With quartz.
Don't confuse him. If you told him, he might ask you, "Quarts of what?"
Just funnin' ya, dude. Good info.
@Blue I have personally never seen that kind of a clog. But what i do know is people use shit butane instead of good quality butane and it ends up clogging the jet.
Clipper fluid still comes with the plastic adapters! I’ve seen some other random brands include them too. Surprised it’s so hard for you to find
0:03 Ah, dating zippos... I once dated one and didn't find out till later it was only 16 years old. Some of those lighter look older than they actualy are.
Ha
Thank you so much. I was going to return this lighter I got that I really loved and you showed me that the fix was super easy. Thank you xoxo
Thanks for the help it was really helpful i thought my lighter is broken and so i bought a new one but the new one stopped working today and then i watched your fix and now its all good 😁
8:20 - You still get these alternative adapters in most butane cans (for lighters).
Looking at these adaptors, the one at 9 0'clock fits that lighter (same one that you use with the Colibri Molectric '88' lighter valve).
Its not a perfect adaptor, there can be a little leakage while filling, but it works fine.
Piezo Electric is the ignighter.
thanks just Learned that
It's prunounced PEE-ZO The i is silent
cutlerylover pretty much you hit a crystal with a hammer and it produces electricity lol
I personally don't like Piezo ignition on lighters, stoves or grills. They are cheaply made and just plain out fail at some point. I much rather have flint ignition as that really can't fail.
I don't know what part of the country are in but they still sell the butane bottles with different adapters on the cap imfact out here in Los Angeles half the time I buy a butane bottle it comes with multiple adapters
I recently found butane on Amazon that has the adapters you’re talking about. Vector is the name and I think I bought it in a 4 pk. Works great and the adapters do come in handy!
Thanks!! I was able to fix mine with the help of your video.
If you go to refill the lighter and you force to much butane into the
tank it will create a space between the plastic tank threads and the
out side of the threaded metal shut off stem . If you hear the butane leaking out
wait till its empty then take the lighter apart . To remove the
shut off valve and housing with the threads on it you have to unscrew
the flame adjuster screw . It screws into the metal shut off housing .
Once the flame screw stem is unscrewed you can unscrew the metal piece
from the tank . cut a strip of yellow teflon gasline PTFET tape its
sold at lowes or home depot next to the white tape but get the yellow
color . Cut it long enough to just cover the threads on the metal
piece one time with a small over lap . stretch the tape so you see the
threads and push the tape into the threads with your finger and screw
it back in place . Is will stop the leak . The leak is not coming from
the inside of the valve but around the treads . The tape will seal off
the leak and you will not have any butane escaping.
THANK YOU! My problem solved. Didn't realise it was the thread...
Does Good fluid matter ?? Quality ???
9:10 all my bottles still have those adapters on their caps. But I live in Turkey so maybe the manufacturers in the US stopped making those. They're so damn handy tho
You felt that heat when you clicked it on and im still chucking. Thanks for the spark info.
I have a can of neon butane that had the adapters in the cap 🎉
Thanks. You helped me fix my lighter.
i was really scared when the lighter i bought for my sister wasnt working this video really helped me thanks a lot, really thank you
Excellent _cutlerylover_ advice tendered on purging a lighter! This is actually quite an important aspect of lighter ownership functionality that hardly anyone executes. Cigarette lighters are fundamental EDC articles but actually require technical maintenance for correct trouble-free utilization. So don't just fill em, purge em first! ✔
After ya purge and it still won’t light, then what ?
you are just purging butane. its pointless to do this.
yeah shut up!
@jbbolts no, actually occasionally you you'll get basically a vapor lock. Not always, it is rather rare on most lighters. Some are just more susceptible to vapor lock and at that point a purge is necessary..
I've had a few that wouldn't light until purged then refilled
Over here they’re on every Venti can, costs about $AUS5 so, about 5 cents in your money. 😂
The adapters definitely existed and still do exist in the caps of many cans of butane fuel, but that doesn't rule out the possibility that you are crazy. That possibility is lent increasing probability when you remove the adjustment valve with the assertion that it is "another cap" and you need another long thin screw driver to reach into the tank to adjust the flame.
I bought a can of VECTOR GAS, filtered 14 times for purity. Since it was a new product, the universal tip fit, by the way, the universal tip, that comes on the VECTOR gas can, is metal, much better than most plastic tips. Now, about the adapters. While examining the cap of the gas can, I found that all the adapters are built into the lid. You choose the one you need and detach it from the inside of the cap. While it no longer comes with adapters on a ring placed around the nozzle, they are stored in the cap of the gas can. I would like to recommend the VECTOR brand for it's serious capacity, 320ml, and, it's about the size of a can of hairspray. This brand of fuel is made by the VECTOR Corp. for their brand of windproof lighters.
You saved my torch thank you so much I was very frustrated😅😅
I just got an Arc insert and Butane Single today (Zippo),
Took me a few tries to realise the arc was a double tap to ignite switch, and then I checked the little insert (I'm a dude, of course I'm not going to read the manual first).
Yeah, was really disappointed with the butane and thought I was not filling it correctly. I did not bleed it first before first fill. My bad.
I used a standard Zippo/flame lighter to hold in front of the butane stream till it lit and let it run till hot, well over the recommended 10 second limit. Did it about 6 times, and now after adjusting by trial and error for the flame size, I have found it works if I slow press the button.
So far it doesn't fire first go every time, sometimes it takes 3-5 clicks. I'll give it one or two refills before resorting to the full fix I found on YT.
I wouldn't necessarily say it's "Chinese Manufacture", but a serious design flaw from Zippo itself. The Chinese aren't going to put parts in that aren't on the design spec/parts list. Though they could do some proper QC and check the lighters and then bleed them empty. I wish it had a clear window side or insert or clear (indicator) slit.
A Zippo should fire first time everytime till no fuel. Anything less is unacceptable for this brand IMHO.
Imagine being a soldier and having to take the insert apart, get rid of the limiter, and put it back together, to get your brand new lighter to work.
I live in Germany, and most of the butane bottles have the ring of adapters you were talking about. Some of the smaller ones don't, but I don't think I've ever seen a big one without it.
They for sure have the tips on lesser branded butane cans. For that lighter you may have to rough it and buy a cheap can from the gas station and use the adapters with your regular fuel.
I always buy butane with those little plastic adapters in there here.. doesn't matter if it's a premium butene or cheap regular ne on one The adapters or always underneath the cap
The "PIEZO" on the bottom of that lighter ? Is a PIEZO electric igniter, you know, that little plastic thingy that makes the spark that you used to shock your classmates with .... THAT'S what it's called, a PIEZO electric igniter...
Excellent source of information!
Thanks for posting. : )
Newport butane has all the tip adapters color coded and built into the cap and on the side of the can it has a list of all the major brands of butane lighters with the corresponding colored tips that work for each lighter brand
My jet lighter lights with the second press.is that normal?
Thanks for the video. I was able to locate the butane refill fuel with 5 different tip adapters at a cigar/smoke shop.
Thanks for the video. I have a newer z-pipe insert that I got from pipes and cigars as part of a promo. It never works reliably. After following your cleaning tip it works great. I assumed with the higher quality filtered butane this would not be necessary.
Hit it from the 3:24 lol you sneaked that comment in
Those caps with the extra tips DID exist. I remember getting butane in the late 2000s with those caps. They ALWAYS came with those caps. But I havnt seen one like that in a long time either
i see them with NEON butane. they are good for purging.
Thanks a lot man, I opened my lighter for nothing. I just had to adjust the screw. Thanks you so much.
Well ironically I purchased a can of clipper brand butane that has the tips in the top of the cap just today while I was working i stopped by a little tobacco shop in Abingdon Virginia I got a 4.94 oz. can for 2.79
This is really interesting and I was listening really hard while taking apart an old butane lighter I have. It seems like it has a leak to me and I can’t figure out how to get into the body of it. I’d love to send it to you!
I bought a can of Colibri brand butane within the last couple of years and it has alla' the little adapter tips with it. Also, perchance did you offer lighter repairs on Ebay last year?
Oh, and I think I bought it on Ebay.
I have the adjustment tips for butane, where are you located? I'm from Canada in manitoba and I bought the butane like a month ago and had the tips on the lid :)
Not only it worked, I gained some knowledge too. Thanks a lot sir, may you discover victoria's secret.
I recently scored a super slim lil elegant Flamex. Rubbed down with ethanol, sparked beautifully, got ready to fill er up...til I realized the tank valve was also super slim lil dainty thing. Of course the butane I got was a cheapo 3 buck plastic nozzle can. Going to a cigar shop tomorrow for advice.
My very limited Italian vocab leads me to believe it's Domani, which translates to "Tomorrow". I remember it because I replace the word Tomorrow with Domani in the song from Annie. Doesn't sound as catchy, but helps me remember
I have an old butane lighter that I purchased in the late 70's or early 80's and was wondering why it all of a sudden stopped working. Never thought about the adaptors no longer coming with fuel. Will have to purchase and see if I can get it working again. Thought it was leaking fuel. Thanks.
I have a Calibri # 947 lighter/cutter. Problem is to much gas comes out even when I adjust it and doesn't ignite because of to much gas. What do you think is the problem and are replaceable parts universal if so where is a good website you recommend to buy parts.
Thanks I appreciate taking the time to answer and thank you for your video's
Here in Europe the fuel tanks still come with the adapters, unfortunately however, the Ronson adapter is very leaky. You might try looking at the cheaper refill containers, most of those still have the multi tip adapters. I would not risk using that fuel in a fine lighter.
Vector fluid has the adapters in the cap. Thanks for the informative video!
Butane fluid bottles still have the adapters. Zippo does not though. What butane fluid(s) would you recommend that are the most superior on the market?
Thanks, you saved my life
What year was it you bought your bottle you can go down to any store right now and get one that has the cap with all the adapters
there are still butane cans that come with adapters. not all brands but a lot still do. I think most lighter makers switched to the other fill holes to make everything easier.
Hello, Iv recently taken up fixing some lighters, the lighter iv got is the second one you are talking about with a similar system. I do have the adapters but I simply can't get the tank to fill, what could be the problem? Thanks!
The adapters are on all the butane cannisters in Australia as far as I know. However, I also bought some brass adapters from China that I keep in a clip lock bag.
Not totally related but I have my nans old lighter a bit like these and I just can't seem to get it to work. I undid the screw to look inside and all of the pieces fell out and I don't know how to put it back together. Is there any way I can email you some photos to see if you can figure it out?
Hey Jeff, I have an older Scripto USA BUTANE that has a manual thumb strike spark wheel like a zippo but it is a butane lighter but I don't have any idea of how to use it or refill it. Would you please let me send you this lighter and see if you can get it working? Please let me know what you think and I will talk soon my friend.
if you go to a smokeshop where they sell the big cans of butane usually it'll be some imported kind or just random brand but you can get these huge cans of it for like $2-6 and almost all of these always have the extra tips, not a ring of it like the picture but they're actually like part of the injection mold the cap is made of. I don't think anything even uses 3/5 of them these days.
Also just FYI you have slightly misunderstood the whole purging thing. It's not about purging the fuel and emptying the fuel out of the tank, it's about purging the AIR out of the tank which is what causes a lighter to not light on the first click simply because theirs air mixed in and it's not getting the proper amount of fuel it needs for ignition. To purge what you do is while filling it with butane you first fill it for 2-3 seconds, then purge some of the gas out of the tank, then fill it again for 4-6 seconds you'll find that it then lights more reliably because it's getting pure fuel out of the tank.
What brand of lighters are those?
I'm new to butane lighters I just got mine a kept bleeding it an nothing changed. Looked plenty of videos an they are like keep bleeding it will eventually work. Ur video was the only one that explained my exact problem felt dumb cuz it was a easy thing to adjust but thank u
Any idea what to do when gas is leaking from outlet nozzle? Got vintage Ronson
Thank you this is very helpful.
I didn't know what those little caps were for. But I don't refill lighters very often so I am glad I didn't toss them.
What do you think of the drop in butane for Zippos??
Rick Kerans I love mine it's a lot more reliable than the original insert.
If you go to a smoke shop you can buy butane with the plastic adapters built into the lids or you can buy a separate nicer set by a lighter line, but the plastic ones are just as good.
Hi. I have a number of fairly old but nice/unusual/desired brands butane lighters (some converted from Zippo-type fuel to butane), but many of them have the same problem - the “click” to create the spark no longer clicks to generate the spark. I’ve checked the other elements of these lighters - the arm or arms to lift the gas valve open function correctly, the tank holds gas, the nozzle is clear and butane can flow out, so I’m reasonably confident that it the small black rectangular column that is no longer function - not generating a spark and not returning to the “ready” position after pushing it down. Do you know if these small black rectangular columns can be replaced, and if so, where can I buy them ? Many thanks !!
Also having this issue and can’t seem to find any info on this repair
Dollar tree bbq lighter. $1.25.
Though it hasn't been answered I was thinking the same thing and that's the only thing I have thought of was to take it out of another lighter .. edit so I did take it out of a cheap one to put it in my expensive chef torch and voila it works 😊
Yes I do remember that. And some of the cans of butane dose still have them tips. I have a ? For you can you fix one that the valve is leaking or leaking around the outside of the valve? Thank you
Neon 11x fuel has the universal assortment in the lid, sold on Amazon. Piezo ignition lighters and camping stoves are good items.
You still get the various sized nozzles from the princess auto cans of butane. I've only ever seen and used 2 sizes. Also "piezo" is the type of igniter any batteryless lighter uses, it's a crystal that when put under pressure generates a small electrical current, thus the spark. They are also often used in some fuel injectors however they are in reliable and fail unpredictablty.