Project dujor / lighter fix

[sirbob]

I've always had some nice lighters over the years - Dunhills mostly. When I was younger I used to smoke cigars more often and used them all the time. But it is really more about thinking they are cool little things to collect.

I came to own this one a long time ago - I can't actually remember when or where I got it. I can say it's never worked though as long as i've had it.

This is a solid gold Dunhill Rollagas with inlay. I think it was made sometime in the 60's.

I recently decided to try to get it working so I did a video search on repairing Dunhill lighters and found a few great videos that showed how to disassemble etc.

While watching the vids I found out how to disassemble them and about the parts needed to repair them. I found this guy in Switzerland that makes repair kits.

While watching the vids I disassembled the lighter and started trying to get it to work.

I found out my valve had gone bad as well as all the o rings had hardened and were letting the gas leak out.

I ordered a new valve...

As they talked about in the video - it's not quite assemble with new parts and away you go - there is a lot of tweaking to work right.

When I first assembled it it was like a blow tourch! I had it working but all the gas was squirting out under pressure. I could have soldered with it !

After reassembling it a few times and tweaking the o rings and tightening / loosening the valves to get it just right. I got it working like new! This lighter probably hasn't been used for at least 40 years, it is my daily now for the forseable future!

 

[RiverDave]

When I was a kid I used to collect zippo's.. I actually ended up with a rotating Zippo display case in my bedroom full of old lighters. In Jr. High I would fix them for people, clean them up, replace the flints and wicks, etc..

I still have some of the early 50's ones and others that are rare.

RD

 

[sirbob]

When I was a kid I used to collect zippo's.. I actually ended up with a rotating Zippo display case in my bedroom full of old lighters. In Jr. High I would fix them for people, clean them up, replace the flints and wicks, etc..

I still have some of the early 50's ones and others that are rare.

RD

Zippos are classic, They must have made a million versions of those! Literally. I've seen some really cool versions over the years.

I found I was all thumbs when it came to working with those super small o rings and springs - Im guessing the Zippos don't have o rings and springs because they hold fluid in the wick - not compressed gas like the Dunhill that needs to be able to stay pressurized?

 

[RiverDave]

Zippos are classic, They must have made a million versions of those! Literally. I've seen some really cool versions over the years.

I found I was all thumbs when it came to working with those super small o rings and springs - Im guessing the Zippos don't have o rings and springs because they hold fluid in the wick - not compressed gas like the Dunhill that needs to be able to stay pressurized?

The only spring a zippo has is under the flint.. They are pretty basic.

That lighter you have shouldn't be that difficult to put together though. If you need help just bring it with ya next time to Havasu and we can bang it out in a few minutes.

RD

 

[sirbob]

The only spring a zippo has is under the flint.. They are pretty basic.

That lighter you have shouldn't be that difficult to put together though. If you need help just bring it with ya next time to Havasu and we can bang it out in a few minutes.

RD

I got it working great now - but jeez, look at the schematic / exploded view in the pics. Who would have thought a lighter would have so many (35) small parts!

 

[LuauLounge]

Anyone remember ashtrays?
Used to be everywhere, common as salt and pepper shakers.
Now, can’t even get a straw.

Guess what state we’re in....

 

[sirbob]

I've got a bunch of cool little ashtrays - this first one I got in London. The old original Michelin tire factory as located the the area of Chelsea and is now a restaurant with the Michelin theme

This one is from a Peninsala Hotel - it's so small it holds 1 cigarette - the service is so tight there they change out your ashtray almost after every hit. You won't see one with 2 cig butts in them ever !