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Cigars/Pipe Lighter

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Expert: M J Robbins - 10/26/2009


Question

Nimrod Executive Pipel
Hi M J,

I have recently discovered the art of pipes and cigars this summer. On Saturdays, I work for my neighbor (a WWII vet) on his small farm that he bought to stay active in his old age with his wife. I went over to his house yesterday for lunch and once again, we ending up on the subject of pipes. As I was leaving, he gave me an old "white Briar" pipe that he received as a gift and never really cared for it, as well as a Nimrod Executive Pipelighter.  The lighter is tubular (looks like a woman's lipstick) and slides open, containing a wick on the inside...best part is, it has never been used and I'm pretty sure it's from the 1970's or earlier(any knowledge of this lighter would be much apprechiated). I figured that since it has never been used, it's yelling out loud to me to have some fun.  Before I fill it up w/ lighter fluid (has never been filled*) I test to see if the flint wheel still works and to no avail, it doesn't.  After much investigation, it seems as if there is a visible piece of metal pushing down upon the wheel. The wheel won't budge. Everyone that doesn't work at a cigar shop says I need to buy a new flint from Walmart or any nearby cigar shack.I have no idea how to replace a flint or the wheel. I haven't visited any shops yet and I don't intend to look like an idot, so I thought I'd ask someone who knows a thing or two. First, what's wrong, secndly, what should I do and what do I tell the person at the cigar shop ("I have a nice lighter and I named it sparky" ha ha)?  Thanks in advance!

Answer
The wheel strikes the flint.
The flint is pushed by a spring up to the wheel.
Move the wheel backward and forward to perhaps free it up.
Take out the spring there should be a screw and see if the flint chamber is clear. You can try to poke a thin drill bit through it. If it is not clear you have to use the small drill bit to drill out the old flint which is probably wedged in the flint chamber which is typical with old flint lighters. Then insert a new zippo flint, fill it with zippo lighter fluid and try it out.

Good luck
Mike

M J Robbins

Expertise

Retailer of cigars and acc. since 1979. Cigars - I've smoked most including Cubans. Humidors- Testing humidors all the time. Selling humidors for 30 years. Pipes - I imported Briar and Meerschaum also repaired them in the 1980's. Lighters- Zippo distributor 30 years, expert in repair of old and new lighters although I haven't repaired an antique lighter in 15 years. Repaired thousands of butane lighters.

Experience

30 years importing and selling retail and wholesale Pipes lighters,cigars and humidors. Designed and developed the only state of the art refirgerated mobile cigar humidor and the largest mobile cigar store in the USA. Repaired 50,000 pipes and lighters in the last 30 years. BR>
Organizations
RTDA IPCPR

Education/Credentials
2 years Fullerton jr college

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