Hello everyone, if you have a lathe, and you want to do something interesting, to master work skills, try to make one for yourself. For others, studying this homemade I also recommend it, I especially advise you to watch the sticky video on its manufacture.
Such a lighter will always work, it is good to take it with you when traveling, save it in case of an apocalypse, or you can just give it as a souvenir. For her, the presence of fuel is not necessary, if the wick is dry, it will burn and so, however, less long. However, you need very little fuel here, gasoline, alcohol, acetone, and indeed any flammable liquids, are suitable. durable and almost impossible to break.
For the manufacture of lighters, the author decided to use an alloy called ferrocerium. When rubbing metal against it, a large number of dense sparks are formed, which ignite the wick and all that is dry and combustible that is nearby. In principle, homemade is an improved version of the flint, which can be ordered from China. And of course, any product costs much more if you make it do it yourself. It’s not difficult to make homemade work, a lathe is needed to make a “match” with a wick directly, but you can find this spare part ready. For example, similar threaded tubes are found in some automobile carburetors. In extreme cases, the part can be ordered by a turner. So, we will consider in more detail how such a lighter is made.
Materials and tools used by the author:
Material List:
- rod of ferrocelium or magnesium ();
- nitric acid, rosin and tin for soldering;
- a piece of brass pipe;
- cogs;
- a piece of steel from a hacksaw blade;
- cotton rope (for wick).
Tool List:
- gas-burner;
- lathe;
- drill;
- vise;
- a hacksaw for metal;
- file, sandpaper and other tools.
The process of making an eternal match:
Step one. Case preparation
To make the case, you need a piece of pipe. It can be large or square at your discretion. Metal should preferably be non-ferrous, it can be copper or brass. Such metals do not rust, they look beautiful and can be soldered. Prepare plugs immediately under the pipe. After their installation, a chamber will be obtained in which the fuel will be located, and also dampness to the wick will not pass.
Step Two Finish the core of ferrocelium
We need to fix the spark-forming rod on the lighter. The author fastens it with two screws. To solve this problem, holes are drilled at both ends of the shaft and a thread is cut. Of course, the easiest way to do this is on a lathe. If there is no machine, you can try to carefully drill holes with a drill, if your hands grow from the right place, there will be no problems with this.
The author also aligns both edges of the rod on the machine. To prevent sparks flying, lubricate the shaft with oil.
Step Three Fabrication of Holders
To fix the rod on the lighter, we need to make holders. They are made very simple, just cut out the excess pieces of pipe on both sides. As a result, two plates should remain. We have to bend them carefully. Make cuts at the bend points, and then clamp the plate in a vise and bend it slowly. To remove the internal stress in the metal, the author warms it with a burner. It is best to bend the metal in a hot state. Well, now in the manufactured brackets you have to drill holes for the screws.
Step Four Installation of stubs
Plugs must be installed on both sides of the pipe. For these purposes, we cut out the details from the sheet metal, and then solder them into place. Here you can try to use coins made of copper or brass as a material. Before soldering, the author dips the product in nitric acid to remove the protective film. Well, then soldering is carried out using pure tin and rosin. The whole process takes place over a gas burner.
At the end, solder the plugs well so that there are no gaps, and treat the soldering spots with sandpaper. Remember to wash the lighter thoroughly before assembly.
When everything is ready, we fasten to the lighter body a rod made of ferrocelium using screws.
Step Five Making a match
The lighter is almost ready, it remains to make a match directly. It is a brass tube with a wick inside. A piece of strong steel is installed on the tip of the match, during the friction of which sparks fly out against the rod. At the top of the match there is a thread, thanks to which it is twisted into a lighter.
The manufacturing process of this part can be seen in the photo and video, everything happens on a lathe. The author used a rod made of brass as a material. First, the main profile is formed, then a longitudinal hole is drilled in the rod under the wick. Well, then it remains to cut the thread, and also form a “head protector” for convenient unscrewing of the match.
Step Six Lighter assembly
To assemble the lighter, you will need a cotton or other rope that will easily ignite. We push it inside the match. At the tip, in the slot made, the author sets a piece of metal from a hacksaw blade. This steel is quite durable and perfectly carves sparks. That's all, a match can be experienced. Thoroughly strike her on the rod, the wick should catch fire.
In order for the match to light up instantly, fuel is poured into the lighter. So that the fuel does not leak, usually some kind of filler is inserted inside. You can use cotton, but the author does not recommend it, as it will be wound around a match and will be difficult to pull out. You can try using cotton pads or other similar material. As fuel we use alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, and so on.
This homework is finished, if you wish, you can polish the lighter, make an engraving and so on. I hope you enjoyed the project and found useful information for yourself. Good luck and inspiration in the manufacture. Do not forget to share your best practices with us.