How to Maintain an Old Boy Pipe Lighter

The Old Boy pipe lighter, with its 90-degree adjustable butane flame, is a reliable and elegant way to light a well packed pipe or a fine cigar. Its construction is reminiscent of the Art Deco period when style and function meshed seamlessly to produce graceful, utilitarian artwork. Maintaining an Old Boy requires only a few simple steps. All the mechanical parts are in full view and are readily accessible. Here's how to maintain an Old Boy pipe lighter.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Canister of triple filtered butane
• Flints
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Old toothbrush
• Soft polishing cloth

1. Pull the versatile tamper tool all the way out of the lighter's base to use it as a screwdriver to adjust the size and force of the lighter's flame and to remove the protective cap covering the fuel port. The tip end tapers into a small, flat spade that fits into the slotted end of the flame screw and the fuel port cap.

2. Adjust the size and force of the lighter's flame by inserting the spade end of the tamper tool into the smaller of the two slotted screws in the base of the lighter. Notice there is a small plus sign near one side of the screw and a small minus sign near the other side. Turning the flame adjustment screw toward the plus sign increases the flame, and turning toward the minus sign reduces the flame.

3. Keep the Old Boy filled with good quality butane. To fill the lighter, turn it upside down and insert the tamper tool's spade end into the slot on the larger of the two screws in the lighter's base. It's a threaded cap covering the lighter's fuel port. Unscrew it and remove it. Be careful because it's a small part and can be hard to find if you drop it.

4. Bleed the fuel port valve before filling the lighter. Hold the lighter upside down and press the spade end of the tamper tool straight down on the fuel port orifice. This will depress the valve and allow any air to escape.

5. Fill the lighter by holding it upside down in one hand and the butane canister upside down in the other hand. Fit the canister's fuel injector port over the lighter's fuel valve orifice. Hold the canister vertically over the lighter and press the canister down on the lighter's fuel valve, depressing the valve. Hold them together tightly for about six seconds or until the fuel begins spilling out.

6. Screw the threaded cap back in place and set the lighter aside for a few minutes. The butane makes the lighter very cold during the filling process, and you should allow it to warm up to room temperature before attempting the light the Old Boy.

7. Replace the lighter's flint when the spark becomes weak. The flint is housed in a horizontal tube in the top of the lighter with a knurled, slotted screw at the back end of the housing. Remove this screw carefully, because it has a spring and a small push rod attached to it to keep the flint tight against the ignition wheel.

8. Tap the lighter against the palm of your hand to remove any of the old flint residue still in the tube. Insert a new flint and replace the push rod, spring and screw. Be sure the threads line up with the tube as you screw it back in.

9. Clean the lighter's working parts with isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush. Wet the toothbrush with alcohol and scrub lightly to remove soot and dirt.
   Dry and polish the lighter with a soft cloth.