Crack Pipe Lighters

Alan W. · Sep 22, 2018

I have found the crack pipe lighters that are sold at the local gas stations, while I have not tried them for their intended putpose, are great for starting fires, heating heat shrink tubing etc. The problem I am having is when I refill them with the butane I have they quit. I called the phone number on the butane canister and was informed that the butane I had was not a good match for those lighters.
I thought butane was butane, but the rep informed me that unlike propane, butane has different formulations by manufacturer.
Anyone ever heard of this

BlackOps · Sep 22, 2018

sounds like someone is sampling the wares.

RNeumann · Sep 22, 2018

Yep! I use the liquor store crack lighters for my crack smoking all the time.

atsah · Sep 22, 2018

RNeumann said:
Yep! I use the liquor store crack lighters for my crack smoking all the time.

LOL..

bunyip · Sep 22, 2018

Why do you light cracked pipes, we just replace them

Alan W. · Sep 22, 2018

I just knew I shouldve posted this question in High Times instead

goeduck · Sep 23, 2018

Is the idea of the lighter to melt the crack in the pipe back together so it does not leak? I cannot see that working, but maybe if really, really hot.

mddorange · Sep 23, 2018

goeduck said:
Is the idea of the lighter to melt the crack in the pipe back together so it does not leak? I cannot see that working, but maybe if really, really hot.

Yes, that is what he is talking about...... Not! :mur:

oosik · Sep 23, 2018

I think you guys are missing the point - - now, where was that point, the last time I saw it??? OH - is that it out there in the field with the pallets???

Jstpssng · Sep 23, 2018

This

What is different between N butane and ISO butane?

As nouns the difference between isobutane and butane. is that isobutane is (organic compound) a hydrocarbon, a particular isomer of c4h10 found in natural gas while butane is (organic compound) a hydrocarbon (either of the two isomers of c4h10 n-butane, and 2-methyl-propane) found in gaseous petroleum fractions. isobutane. English. Noun.

is probably what he was referring to, which may or may not be germane to what you asked him.

Source:

wikidiff.com/isobutane/butane

Sigarms · Sep 23, 2018

Alan W. said:
I have found the crack pipe lighters that are sold at the local gas stations, while I have not tried them for their intended putpose, are great for starting fires

I'm a real man. Nothing but gas, flares and mapp gas torch.

Gary Fowler · Sep 23, 2018

I have never had good luck refilling those refillable butane lighters. I don't know what the problem is, but they just don't like to take on fuel from one of those butane refill containers. I had one lighter while in my 20's that worked for a while but it eventually also quit taking butane. I now just stick to the Bic lighters.

Howling · Sep 23, 2018

I thought the procedure was: Put butane refill cylinder in coffee can with small amount of gas. Ignite gas with crack lighter. Stand back and wait for large fireball.

No experience admitted.

MitchellB · Sep 23, 2018

I have not needed to carry a lighter in many years, but the old tried and true refillable Zippo has always been my favorite. I've never had much luck with refillable butane lighters and gave up on them a long time ago. The disposable Bics were OK though, and usually in every store you walked in. However they often walked away from me after a while, requiring the purchase of another one. I don't think I ever ran one empty.

RNeumann · Sep 23, 2018

Now that some real PARTY POOPERS have actually tried to answer the question I’ll chime in-
I’d skip the refillable butane torch and get the little torch that converts a standard lighter into a torch. A buddy of mine who did high end electrical (rockets, satellites etc) turned me on to them. He used it for heat shrink etc. The lighters can be had about anywhere and keep for years. Refilling never seems to pencil- something always seems to go wrong after a few fill-ups.

Jstpssng · Sep 23, 2018

MitchellB said:
I have not needed to carry a lighter in many years, but the old tried and true refillable Zippo has always been my favorite. I've never had much luck with refillable butane lighters and gave up on them a long time ago. The disposable Bics were OK though, and usually in every store you walked in. However they often walked away from me after a while, requiring the purchase of another one. I don't think I ever ran one empty.

I'll carry a Zippo from now until next summer to start fires in the wood stove and for lunch fires... it fits perfectly in the watch pocket of my jeans. The downside is that it needs to be filled twice a week whether I use it or not. I must be uncoordinated because trying to light a butane has always been hit or miss, especially with cold wet hands. With the Zippo I can gather my fire material, prop the burning lighter on the ground, and feed the tinder to the flame.

4570Man · Sep 23, 2018

I liked my Zippo, but it seemed to always be out of fluid. I usually just carry a bic now. Btw, I don’t smoke but need a lighter pretty frequently.

2LaneCruzer · Sep 23, 2018

4570Man said:
I liked my Zippo, but it seemed to always be out of fluid. I usually just carry a bic now. Btw, I don稚 smoke but need a lighter pretty frequently.

Funny story on Zippo. I found a Zippo on the edge of the road near my house; it had been run over several times and was pretty banged up. I took it home and forgot about it. Some months later, I received a package in the mail, containing a new Zippo. Turns out, my young daughter sent the old one to Zippo asking if they could "fix her Daddy's lighter". They sent me a new one instead!

3930dave · Sep 23, 2018

What I'm using now:

Tech Torch Auto Start Butane Torch Kit | Princess Auto

Used a no-name version of same for several years, until the regulating (adjustable) valve started leaking. Always used Ronson butane refills, and never had an issue with ignition.

It is convenient for tasks already listed, and I like how compact it is, for working in tight spots.

Rgds, D.

Jstpssng · Sep 23, 2018

2LaneCruzer said:
Funny story on Zippo. I found a Zippo on the edge of the road near my house; it had been run over several times and was pretty banged up. I took it home and forgot about it. Some months later, I received a package in the mail, containing a new Zippo. Turns out, my young daughter sent the old one to Zippo asking if they could "fix her Daddy's lighter". They sent me a new one instead!

They have or had a lifetime guarantee. I remember one ad from years ago about somebody who lost his lighter while fishing, found it about 40 years later and got it refurbished. They also are advertised as windproof... what a freaking joke.