Important safety tip: Don't use butane in a Zippo!

[Metallover]

WOW



http://www.zippocasemuseum.com/index...s&productid=60

[SPC Racing]

Originally Posted by BrianG

OK, not exactly my brightest idea, but my lighter was out of fluid, the heatgun was in the garage from a previous project, and I really wanted to finish heatshrinking something. Too lazy to go upstairs and outside to retrieve my heatgun, I unwisely decided to throw a little butane in my zippo. Not the best idea, but I figured it would be ok long enough to shrink what I needed to. Wrong! One little flick of the igniter caused the entire zippo to be completely engulfed in flames. Luckily I was in the basement with a cement floor! I don't think I've ever let go of anything so fast in my life! Darwin at its finest.

I almost spit my coffee out on the computer screen when I read your post. For what it is worth, Zippo lighters are made in my home town of Bradford, about 12 miles from where I am sitting now.

[BrianG]

lol, glad I could lend a little brevity to your day.

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by brushlessboy16

I had to rip a MMM out of a car that was on fire.. lost all the hair on my left hand

Did your arm turn black from the burn?

[wallot]

zippo fuel will evaporate in couple days :) get zippo BLU they are butane lighters :)

[redshift]

Originally Posted by BrianG

lol, glad I could lend a little brevity to your day.

I think you meant levity? Unless your objective was to shorten his day... I'm not sure how that would be accomplished...

[BrianG]

lol, long day at work.

[hoober]

Hmm, couldn't help but snicker when I read this. Then when seeing who did it, really made me smile, lol.

It's always funny when it's someone else who puts a pressured fuel into an atmospheric vessel. Next time do it outside when the temp is around zero and you'll have better result.

[BrianG]

Like I said, I knew it wasn't going to work long-term. I just figured enough fuel would remain in the cotton to finish the job I was trying to do (5 seconds max). I guess I just didn't think it through, lol.

[hoober]

I think that what lit up must've been the vapor that escaped during the transfer process or the remaining vapor leaking out of the vessel seams,ends, and outlet where the cotton exits. If it is cold enough we can carry butane around in a bucket (clear like water) and then use it like gasoline, lighter fluid, ect.

[J57ltr]

You know I have a butane related story. I had (have somewhere) a Portasol soldering iron, that started running low so I turned it upside down and filled it placing it near my stomach when I let go I was engulfed for a second and burnt the hair off my stomach through my shirt. So your not alone.

Jeff