Butane Pipe lighter Insert

[AJ]

Has anyone ever tried a Thunderbird Butane Pipe Lighter insert for flip top lighters like Zippo? If you have I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about them. I may want to try one to compare to the standard Zippo Pipe Lighter in regards to how long the fuel lasts.   

AJ

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IRLBUA/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_M3T1_ST1_dp_1

 

[loneredtree]

There is no comparison AJ. The fuel in the insert does not leak out. So, you do not have to refill it until you use it up.

  

 

[SteveS]

My experience is only with the Thunderbird insert, so I can't make a comparison ... but

While the insert might not LEAK fuel, the fuel does constantly flow while the lid is open ... and while the flame burns nicely when the lighter is full, it tends to be considerably reduced as the fuel diminishes ... I have two such inserts and rarely use them, despite the fact that I have three custom Zippo cases in which to put them ...

 

[Tate]

I've had three Thunderbird inserts. To put it kindly, I think they're trash. They run out of butane constantly, require tinkering with the little lever to shut off the fuel and if there is ANY movement of air around them you can expect them to go out. The regulator is a piece of junk. When the lighter gets low the flame starts shooting out wildly, so you have to constantly adjust.

After getting an IM Corona there is no comparison.

I'd recommend a Bic lighter over a thunderbird any day even if you have to keep buying them.

 

[SteveS]

I'd recommend a Bic lighter over a thunderbird
any day even if you have to keep buying them.

Which is exactly what I'm doing ... MrsS picks them up for me at WalMart ... 2 in a package for (I think it's) a buck and a half ...

 

[loneredtree]

I am not a heavy user so have not had the problems that have been brought up. Mine is a Vector however. :twisted: 

 

[Buckshot]

I have been using the Thunderbird insert for over a year and I really like it. I have not had leaking fuel problems at all and I find that a fill of fuel lasts a long time..comparable to other butane lighters.

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

I used one and I cannot recommend it. I could not get a consistent flame height out of it no mater what I did. One second this itty bitty flame would barley reach the top of the tobacco, then next there was a flame thrower singeing my eyebrows. I also had problems with the mechanism that held the flint in place. I tried many things and eventually gave up and tossed it. I posted about my attempts to get it working right either here or on pipesmokerforum, but I'm too lazy to find it.

 

[williamcharles]

I have a T Bird insert and it works fine. Had it for 3 years and no problems. Like others have mentioned the fuel reserviour is on the small size but no smaller than in a Nibo or many other gas lighters.

A drop of light oil on the fuel lever once in three years, and putting in a new flint when needed is all I've had to do to it other than bleed it and fill it. It can be interesting if you don't bleed it before you fill it but then my Oldboy will spit and sputter, snap and pop too if I forget to bleed it. Bleeding it is very important...more so than in some lighters which you can just bleed now and then. To my knowledge all gas lighters should be bleed before filling but do we always do it?

Pay attention to the gas shutoff lever. If it gets to sticking causing the size of the flame to change from one light to another, just drop a wee, small, little, tiny drop of light oil on it. Did I mention that you only need a very, very small drop of oil? Don't flood it. It needs far less than what you'd put on the hinge of your pocket knife.

Oh, almost forgot...since it's in a metal case the lighter isn't a big fan of the cold. In winter I keep mine in my shirt pocket so it stays warm and it works well. I dropped it in my coat pocket once or twice and it didn't want to give me more than a wee sparkle of a flame. Warmed it up in my shirt pocket under my coat and it was back to it's usual co-operative self.

Would I buy another? Yes. But not until this one takes a crap. I'm not buying much of anything since I had to go on SSD. It just plain sucks to be...never mind. You don't need to hear me whine.

It seems that some people just get bad lighters. I've been told that the warranty behind them is good. Since I haven't had to return mine I can't say that for sure.

I had a Nibo that had a bad fuel control valve and it blew up in my hand. Stay away from Nibos. I do have one that works but I haven't forgot what the first one did to me. It was all over before I had a chance to get very excited about it and I wasn't harmed...just a toasty hand.  

 

[rothnh]

I've had three Thunderbird inserts.  To put it kindly, I think they're trash.  They run out of butane constantly, require tinkering with the little lever to shut off the fuel and if there is ANY movement of air around them you can expect them to go out.  The regulator is a piece of junk.  When the lighter gets low the flame starts shooting out wildly, so you have to constantly adjust.  

After getting an IM Corona there is no comparison.  

I'd recommend a Bic lighter over a thunderbird any day even if you have to keep buying them.

A friend who owned a Thunderbird insert parroted the same thing and ended up trashing it.