Little problem with a brass Zippo

Humppa

Humppa

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
7,432
Hi guys & gals!

I own a Zippo lighter which is brass allover. Look at the lighter here

IMG_2364.jpg


Now the problem: I can hardly remove the inlay without pulling the top of that one too heavy without bending the inlay. I wanted already send it back to Zippo (or better the mainretailer here in Germany) but the guy at the store told me, there´s no visible damage or malfunction on that one to send it back. They won´t send it back - if they do so, they´ll send it back to me without repair because of the above named reasons.

I dropped it out of my pocket several months ago. Before that the problem wasn´t there- the brass must have got bended while falling onto the stonefloor. I really like that lighter and it wasn´t that expensive, but I should be able to fill in gas without damaging the inlay, imo ;)

What would you do? I already thought about using a pen to rub it against the inlay - because of the contained graphite.
Should I risk it to send it back to them and getting it back without repair?

Had you have the same problem already with such a lighter?

Thanks for your opinions :)
 
Use washers to slightly widen the inside until you can remove the insert easier. Add washers until you get the correct width, then use a screwdriver to pop them back out.
 
Thanks for your replies, guys!

The inlay is not so easy to get out, but nearly impossible to put it back into the lighter. But it can be put out and be put back - but just hardly. I think that´s all because the frame of the lighter must have been bended or whatever...

@CWL: What kind of washers do you mean? I know that term when it deals up with knives, but how should I be able to put washers in there, when even the whole inlay is hardly to adjust?

Thanks again, for all of your kind replies :)
 
What kind of fuel are you using? I've seen lighters that acted the same way from using gasoline instead of lighter fluid.
 
Back about ten years ago I sent a Zippo back to the manufacturer for repair. It was my father's and dated back to WWII. I specified that the origial case not be replaced nor the insert, just fix the sprung hinge. It was returned to me repaired, cleaned, some case dents massaged out and with a new insert in addition to the original one. They asked no questions about how the damage occured and did not charge me for the repair or return postage.

If you cannot affect a repair yourself (sounds like the case lips are deformed) I suggest mailing it directly back to the manufacturer with a description of the problem and your full return information. You might contact their customer service via email first to get a return authorization number.
 
These. You can insert the required thickness and concentrate on only where you need it. You can use other items as well of course.

low-carbon-punched-washers-250x250.jpg
 
Codger_64 said:
Back about ten years ago I sent a Zippo back to the manufacturer for repair. It was my father's and dated back to WWII. I specified that the origial case not be replaced nor the insert, just fix the sprung hinge. It was returned to me repaired, cleaned, some case dents massaged out and with a new insert in addition to the original one. They asked no questions about how the damage occured and did not charge me for the repair or return postage.

If you cannot affect a repair yourself (sounds like the case lips are deformed) I suggest mailing it directly back to the manufacturer with a description of the problem and your full return information. You might contact their customer service via email first to get a return authorization number.
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Yes, this. ^^^ They have great customer service. Just send a detailed letter, & tell them if it has sentimental value. If it does, then tell them you just want it fixed & DO NOT REPLACE ANYTHING. They will honor your wishes.
 
Iron City said:
Wait... an orange Sodbuster?

Can't tell, who makes it?
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Codger_64 said:
Back about ten years ago I sent a Zippo back to the manufacturer for repair. It was my father's and dated back to WWII. I specified that the origial case not be replaced nor the insert, just fix the sprung hinge. It was returned to me repaired, cleaned, some case dents massaged out and with a new insert in addition to the original one. They asked no questions about how the damage occured and did not charge me for the repair or return postage.

If you cannot affect a repair yourself (sounds like the case lips are deformed) I suggest mailing it directly back to the manufacturer with a description of the problem and your full return information. You might contact their customer service via email first to get a return authorization number.
Click to expand...

TwinStick said:
Yes, this. ^^^ They have great customer service. Just send a detailed letter, & tell them if it has sentimental value. If it does, then tell them you just want it fixed & DO NOT REPLACE ANYTHING. They will honor your wishes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your replies, gentlemen. I think, I don´t wanna put my paws on this lighter and better send it back directly - with telling why it hasn´t been sent from the seller.

Great replies and really helpful in any case! That whole forum is great! :)

Merry Christmas, everyone!
 
Shouldn't be extremely difficult to bend out. You could also get the armor version of the brass Zippo if you're prone to dropping them. That's the model I have, and I'm quite happy with it.

Herzliche Grüße von Kalifornien!
 
Magnaminous_G said:
Heck of a beautiful Zippo you've got there. That brass has aged very well.
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My thought exactly... I've never owned a brass Zippo, but after seeing this one aged, I definitely will.

If you send it back in, I would ask that they NOT polish the case. It has developed a lot of character
 
I must say Zippo has a great customer service dept. I dropped my favorite Harley Davidson lighter out the car window, then it got ran over too before I could stop and find it. The top was gone, and the inner flint wheel piece was smashed. I sent it back, and told them it was my fault, and that I'd pay for a repair. They replaced the insert, the top, and made it almost like new, for no charge. Thumbs up to Zippo.

JT
 
Don't worry about it being you instead of the dealer sending it to Zippo. I have had many over the years and sent several in for repair and never even thought about asking the dealer to do it.
In fact, Zippo used to have a very tough cardboard advertising device with a US penny attached that was labled something like 'the penny you will never spend to have your Zippo repaired.
Good luck.
 
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