Keychain Mini-Bic Lighter!

[mark greenman]

Hey all. Here’s a cool little keychain lighter I fashioned a few weeks ago during a late night moment of creativity. While I love the elegance of my County Comm stainless peanut lighter, its best suited as a backup to a regular lighter, not as a primary ignition source. As a smoker and fireworks aficionado, I wanted to have a primary lighter on my keys for days when I forget my Zippo.

This lighter has been in constant use for the last 2 weeks, and has held up very well. So well, in fact, that my friends have had me make them some as well. I figured the WSS crew would also enjoy them, so I made the following tutorial.

How To Make a Mini-Bic Keychain
You will need: A black mini-Bic Lighter, a tube of super glue, some hollowed out paracord, silicon self-adhesive tape (I use ‘Xtreme’ brand, but any USA made variety will work) and a bit of sandpaper or file (not pictured.)

1. Tie a loop of hollowed out paracord.

2. Cut the cord to the length of the lighter, just beneath the ‘Bic’ logo.

3. Roughen up the side of the lighter with a file or sandpaper where you want to glue.

4. Apply glue to the rough patch.

5. Apply glue to paracord.

6. Press together and hold for 90 seconds- careful not to glue your fingers to the lighter!

 

[mark greenman]

7. Now, check if dried.

8. Once dry, it’s time to reinforce the edges with more glue, for a Murphy proof hold.

9. Once the 2nd layer of glue is dry, its time to cut an 8” piece of Silicon self-adhesive tape.

10. Now, starting from the top, wrap the lighter in 2 layers of Silicon tape. This will protect the brittle super glue from being damaged by your keys. It also looks nicer, and provides a comfortable rubberized grip. I use this stuff on everything.

11. Now, you’re done!

12. Attach to your keys and have a victory smoke.

I hope you enjoyed this little gizmo, and if anyone has any ideas on how it can be improved, please post them!

Take care,
Mark

 

[myright]

Good thinkin' Mark - I love to see the things you guys come up with on here.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Nice work!

I did a similar one, buy bending the middle of the shroud out and putting a small split ring through it.

At first I was worried it wouldn't hold very long, but so far it's been fine.

 

[tacticalsteel]

Real good thinking brother!

 

[Farnsrocket]

if anyone has any ideas on how it can be improved, please post them!

How about the o-ring trick to keep it from emptying in your pocket.

Where can you get that tape?

I saw one of these the other day.....seemed like a cool survival item to have, even with out the retractable part.

http://lighterleash.com/home.html

 

[cmdionne]

Eric at Onscene tactical does kydex sheaths for bics and mini bics that you can then put on a keychain or use as a zipper pull. I don't have one, but they look really cool.

 

[DaleW]

My quick and dirty version:

Lay a paper clip or safety pin on the side of the Bic with the end extending past the end of the lighter to form an eye. Wrap with small diameter braided line, Spider Wire fishing line or duct tape.

For the duct tape version, a taller lighter like the Cricket electronic will take the full width of the duct tape, allowing a neater job and a good supply of duct tape too.

The self sealing tape is a great idea and the super glue/paracord combo is pure genius.

Ditto on the o-ring safety for the fuel valve.

 

[CSG]

Clever idea but I sure wouldn't want to carry your keychain around in my pockets!

 

[DaleW]

Clever idea but I sure wouldn't want to carry your keychain around in my pockets!

Naw, he's just happy to see ya

 

[cjag]

http://www.survivalsheath.com/keychain_survival/index.htm
Like this?

 

[mark greenman]

How about the o-ring trick to keep it from emptying in your pocket.

Where can you get that tape?

I saw one of these the other day.....seemed like a cool survival item to have, even with out the retractable part.

http://lighterleash.com/home.html

The 'xtreme' brand is sold at ACE hardware, which I think is the best of the chain hardware stores. I also bought 'silicon self-adhesive tape' at Home Depot, which is also made in the USA.

This tape is amazing. It can be used underwater, from -40 to over 500 degrees, holds 600psi, and provides an awesome ruberized grip to damn near anything.

My friend has a lighter leash. Its pretty cool, but only EDC material if your a dedicated smoker, as it sort of dangles below the waist.

Bear Claw Chris- I like your style! Does the keyring get hot when you use the lighter?

Take care,
Mark

 

[JD Mandrell]

Bear Claw Chris- I like your style! Does the keyring get hot when you use the lighter?

Take care,
Mark

If you left the flame on long enough, yeah it will start to warm up. I've never known it to get very hot just in the time it takes to light a cigar or some tinder though.

 

[steelscout30]

Now those are some novel ideas.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[kberg]

I have the same 'Photon' light on my keychain that I got somewhere for free...Very bright/useful.

 

[Runsalone]

Where did the little cable connector thingy your keys are on come from? Me likey

 

[mark greenman]

Like all great gadgets in my life, I bought it at County Comm for $1. Works wonderfully. Its called the "aircraft mechanics keyring" of something similar. County Comm is one of the best websites ever, and the best when it comes to bang for the buck.

 

[orrey45]

Where did the little cable connector thingy your keys are on come from? Me likey

I know you can get some here: County Comm

 

[Runsalone]

Like all great gadgets in my life, I bought it at County Comm for $1. Works wonderfully. Its called the "aircraft mechanics keyring" of something similar. County Comm is one of the best websites ever, and the best when it comes to bang for the buck.

I know you can get some here: County Comm

Thanks you guys! I hate lots of keys in my pocket and that looks like it will cut down on bulk.:thumbup:

 

[Runsalone]

Wow that IS a cool site!