1946-49? Ronson Standard lighter
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2018
- Today I'll review my 1940's Ronson Standard lighter. The action on the striker was poor at best. A simple dismantle and cleaning freed the mechanism up and I was able to return it to proper working condition.
I thank you so very much for posting how to get a flint that has been concreted into the flint tube out , plus showing every step exactly how the lighter flint wheel and gear comes out and back together, I have probably 40 plus vintage lighters that I have purchased over the years and could not figure out how to get a concreted flint out
Thanks man! Sending to a friend to show them how. You know the fill screw was designed for a penny, not a flathead screwdriver. Everybody had pennies in the good old days. So many people have scarred up screws. If the screw is too tight, pliers and a penny.
When I rebuilt my Dad's Standard, I learned to remove the flint spring and flint before taking the flint wheel module. Takes a lot of pressure off, and things stay closer at hand.
Yes I learned that lesson the hard way myself unfortunately.
Me too! 🤣
Thanks much for the video. I find that a small wire brush cleans the flint wheel better and faster.
Thanks for the video. After watching your video,I was able to rebuild my grandfather's Ronson Banker lighter. I am not sure of the year of this lighter but it was Canada made and is an all 14k gold. It probably needs a new striking wheel but will light reliably about 75% of the time where it had not worked in over 60 years before.
I just looked at the lighter again and it says the Patent expires on the lighter on June 12, 1952 but I have no way of telling when this was made. I also have the original box it came in as well.
That is awesome! This is exactly what I had in mind when making the videos! I'm very glad I could help. Also since I made this I've found that you can use an old dental pick to clear the knurling on the striker wheel, just run it back and forth in the groves. This may not be a guaranteed fix but it may help even further than just a brush. I would like to see the lighter if you want to shoot me a picture on my email?
Thanks for the video. I bought an old one for a couple of bucks at a Thrift Shop, but it was not working - flint tube blocked...
I had to stop and replay several parts of it because my cogs were not attached to the cap like yours seemed to be, and getting them to stay was proving a PITA as I tried to line everything up. Finally I used a bit of soap to hold the cogs onto the sides which worked well.
Awesome video, I have some ronsons i will be fixing, you explained the disassembly very well. Thanks😁
Thanks for the video. I just received various lighters and a Ronson De-Light was one of them. The flint in the Ronson had turned to powder, but being able to remove the strike mechanism let me have an easier time cleaning than I could with a Zippo.
The De-Light's are slightly different design and the earlier models of the Ronson line, correct?
At any rate I like the old Ronson's more so than Zippo for that (and other) reason. Although Zippo owns Ronson these days
Amazing, thanks so much for this clear video. I've inherited an old Ronson from my father, no spark happening (even with a new flint), so this will help me try to get things working. You had trouble opening the fuel fill with a screw driver, I did too until I realised it was designed to be opened with a coin. An English 1 pence coin worked perfectly, not sure of the American equivalent!
Just a regular penny you can find on the ground or ask someone for since no one has value attached to it ☺️
I picked up a KBL lighter that looks almost identical to this Ronson. I can’t seem to date it though nor can I find a picture identical to mine anywhere. This video helps a lot, thanks
You saved me and my grandpas old vintage lighter, thank you sir
Outstanding video. Very detailed, thank you.
I picked up an Auer "Champion" lighter that looks a lot like this. I'm not sure how to date it, but I imagine it's around the same era. It says "Certified Quality Controlled Japan" on the base. I stuck in a flint, fueled it up, and it works more reliably than my Zippo.
I think this lighter used in the movie “ into the white “ omg i still love it
What a wholesome video. Subscribed
Thanks for the video, I just purchased same lighter from antique shop. You might wanna add a little more detail on the placement of flint wheel and washer , I had a dickens of a time getting it back in correct way. Thankyou again!
hello, please how much it worth the one you purchased?
I paid 5 bucks for it.
Did you ever get it fixed mine is slipping too much to spark
@@cameronthompson7575 no, it is still slipping.
@Pdiddy0604- Right ON! huge problem getting the wheel & washer & gears & trigger teeth in synch. I have a different lighter than shown in vid and it was horribly frustrating.
I love your tutorial. The best I've come across here in 2023. I have a problem hope u can answer. It's a 1962 penguin. Cleaned it. no blockage. The metal teeth wheel turns great, gears move well, great trigger action on snuffer. Every time I insert spring with new flint-appears the flint/spring prevents wheel to turn. Try finger nail to manually turn wheel..it won't budge. Took the dang thing apart a doz times. Wheel turns real well until the spring/flint gets inserted. Won't turn. What am i doing wrong. Question #2-the wick has an independent chamber. It doesn't appear to share same chamber with wadding. ??? Didn't find old wick either when pulling out old wadding.
Excelent video!! I´m searching a flint wheel just like that to assemble my lighter. Could you tell me the measures it has? Thanks.
the flint wheel keeps miss aligning when I try to put it back together, any reccomendations?
Excellent. Thank you!
Hey man so I've finally got a spark on my lighter and now I can't get the bottom cap for the fuild to open... any ideas, I've just tried WD-40 I'll see if that helps.
Where do you find information on design changes over time for the Ronson lighters? You mentioned the removal of the Canadian patent markings in 1950, but what all else is there, change-wise?
Or perhaps you can provide some advice on how to install a new flint etc.
This is so helpful thanks! I got an old omega from an antique store that's similar. Wondering if I can reuse the cotton wad once I pull it out to change the wick? Do you ever have to replace that? It's in a few pieces now that I've pulled it out. And also, I can't find any replacement striker wheels, it looks specific like yours where one side has grooves. Any suggestions?
Hi Jess, you can actually find everything you need on Amazon or Ebay and the parts are actually quite cheap. The cotton you will be looking for its actually "rayon" cotton a bit different than regular cotton. I always swap my old ones out for a new one when I purchase a vintage.
You're right. I have one, and I'm hoping you can help me figure out how to load this thing.
I think I’m missing the locking mechanism, as when I press down the flint wheel stays still whilst the lever moves, any ideas on how to fix?
Same problem
Anyone know where I can find a fuel cap for this lighter had to drill mine out
I've got an old ronson lighter, still has all of the original packaging for it too. No idea how to date it, and when I look up that info I get nothing.
Great video! Could you use some 100% silicon grease on some small moving Parts? I have alot of this stuff as I use it on my fountain pens, maby it would make the movement of the lighter smoother? Thanks.
I've never personally used anything like silicon grease on lighters. I try to remove any and all lubricants that have been added over time as they just end up drying out and causing problems down the line. Also I am unsure how heat resistant that may be, but if you try it and it works for you please let me know. I am always open to adapting and adopting new techniques. Thanks for watching!
@@SDodge It is made to increase the effectiveness of gaskets. It keeps it from drying out. A benefit. Id happily take some. I’ve never used it. I used vg vape juice as it creates a good seal for vape atomizers and gaskets on the tanks.
I have one aswel, it still has good flint left in it i also changed the flint it, but it wont spark at all, i have tried everything, i put a zippo flint in it no good, then put a flint from a bic lighter it worked a couple times but it has no spark at all, any advice??
I'd need help with one thing;
I got one, with a small chain, all brass (or gold?) and is almost the size of a plastic bottle cap, would totally fit in a Gatorade cap. I wanna know if we can clean the casing without affecting the insides? Like, can we pry open the casing?
Everytime I attempt to unscrew the screws they both spin and won't come undone. Any suggestions?
Hi, I have a Mosda 500 which is quite similar. I can’t seem to get the screw out to check the flint but it doesn’t make a spark. Is the flint a separate thing to the flint wheel or are they the same? And if I need to replace the flint where could I buy one. I can’t find any information online unfortunately
What is the hole in the body under flint wheel regards
I found a ronson that i think saw military service i tried to fix it myself but i didn't know the common issues with them.
I have a really similar English model and a varaflame that both need to be restored not really sure where to bring them
I have this lighter - can't push the back lever down to create a spark , lift the front part , and see the lighted wick - looked at this video and decided to take it apart to see if I could see what was preventing it from working properly - I removed the spring that lifts the flint into place and grey powder came out suggesting that maybe the flint disintegrated - I was able to remove one of the small screws in the top assembly but not the other - dripped a little 3 in 1 oil in that area hoping to loosen the other screw but it still won't come out - wondering if you have any suggestions and thanks for making this video .
the other screw is not really a screw, it is a sleeve with thread on the inside. if you unscrew the "false" screw with the real screw still in, it will pop out a few millimeters. then you can grab it with some pliers and gently(!) work it loose.
this is how i did it with mine, maybe you have a different model.
@@pl_caravan4679 & keep the little buggers in a tiny dish. They're easily rolling along & hard to spot. lol
Hey I have a lighter looking very similar to this one. It says "Nash" on the very top and says "NASH Superior Lighter" on the bottom, it needs a new wick and flint and probably a new wheel. I would love to get this working again. Any way you can help? Thanks.
Mine won't spark. Only when i take out the flint...then readjust it and put it back, it will spark a few times and go silent again.
Could you tell me how to replace the wick? I have on but the wick fell out so I need to put a new one in.
Same happend to me
Same as a zippo mate, just look up any zippo wick replacing videos and that should help a lot
Hey hope your doing well. I'm curious if you have any experience with the Ronson Viking butane lighter. It was gifted to my Grandpa in 1958 from the Army and I'd like to get it working again. It's in perfect condition. I'm just wondering if i'd be able to refill it with a normal butane canister or if I'd need to get a special adapter. It seems those singe use canisters they sold back in the day threaded into place. I just don't want to harm it or shoot butane all over the place. Thanks.
Refill valve repair, 2 gaskets. Lighter2018 refill valve repair on CZcams.
Saw one at a swap meet exactly like that for $10, same printing and stampings exactly. I didn’t buy it though
Should have grabbed it, ten dollars isn't a bad deal for a Ronson Standard of any era. I'd imagine this one is a fairly common style but I am not certain.
I snagged one with a brown-ish cover for $10. Same problem as well, as it was stuck before the Flint could light the wick
I guess it wasn't lit enough...
Should have bought it
@@debeunhazen7632 ahh you
Just purchased a Ronson decanter style table lighter to give as a gift. No spark. I put a new flint in and all, but, it doesn't seem like its contacting the wheel. The wheel is filthy. Am hoping getting the grooves back will do it. Still, I think there's old, decaying flint or debris gumming up the whole mechanism and the new flint isn't touching the wheel. It has a wick and the push, lever-action is smooth and spins the wheel. This thing has to work.
That is odd, it sounds like your hunch may be correct about there being blockage in the flint tube. The Ronson's are tricky I've found as the tubes often have a curve in them, making it hard to clear with something like a drill bit. I honestly use a bent paper clip, it's just soft enough to curve with the tube but strong enough to break up a flint. Then once I feel that it is freed up enough I just run an aggressive pipe cleaner through it. Sometimes the striker wheel gets worn out to the point that it won't spark after cleaning, but I find that to be very rare.
@@SDodge ...I did take the whole mechanism apart. The two screws were different than in your video. One was a screw and the other was a threaded tube, sliding through the wheel which the screw fastened to. Just thought that would be an interesting difference to highlight. For its informative value.
The flint tube was indeed, completely blocked. I first tried stiff wire, then trim nails, even a nail set. Not budging whatsoever. I took the risk and DRILLED through the blockage. Was careful to not drill beyond the blockage as the tube definitely takes a turn somewhere. Once drilled out, I reamed the tube repeatedly with stiff wire.
Finally was able to slide the new flint in the bottom and out the top. Reassembled it...filled it with fluid...waited a half hour and....FIRE!
@@SDodge ...so, it works. Yay! But, it still doesn't spark tremendously. The wheel was filthy. I didn't spend much time cleaning the wheel. Just quickly used a toothbrush. I may take it apart again and use some sort of solvent. It's still quite caked between the grooves. Any recommendations? Vinegar or carb cleaner? If it's not about the wheel itself...would it be worth pulling the spring to enhance its pressure capabilities...or....adding a second flint?
My must need a cleaning.....it works, sometimes. Pretty tight and herky-jerky action. Wont always throw a spark even with good flint.
Literally just came here because I have the same problem. I feel like the flint wheel isnt sharp enough. It lights with a weak spark.
Any idea where I can get a lock mechanism for the flint wheel??
Hey I’m having a problem with my lighter I can’t seem to get the top screw off it just twist the other side it looks the same as the one you are using but it’s a Continental
At 9:32 the video skips & does not show applying thumb lever to snuffer gears. Any tips for alignment of this timing mechanism?
Any tips to getting the flint wheel washer to line up correctly? and does the tab ride the piece your thumb pushes down to light only?
when i press it might light once, but unless i raise the flint wheel tab up underneath the thumb button, it won't light again. it's as if the tab doesn't travel back high enough to be pushed down again.
i have a flint wheel washer with a cutout and small tab like yours.
got it eventually after taking it apart and back together about 15+ times. Still not 100% but there is a trick to the steel spring spacer and the clutch/cog and flint wheel.
mine has outer cogs for the thumb lever to pull down , but the steel spring holds pressure on the flint wheel and does use the thumb part.
i think i can use a new flint wheel for a cmc (japan) lighters. It's basically your style with the steel spring (p.s. it's a really small tie clip lighter so a miniature than normal lighters)
Yes it is a bit tricky to get on the first shot. I had similar trouble and was just trying to thread the needle so to speak. I did the same thing where I played with the striker wheel a thousand times until I got it lined up. However, somebody pointed me in the direction of "www.toledo-bend.com/VCL/manual/" they have a compete guide to lighter repair and maintenance and they have a handy guide that can describe it better than myself. I don't mean to just redirect you but they honestly have a guide that is second to none. I'm glad my video is reaching people and hope to have some more clear and well spoken videos soon that may be more helpful. Thank you for watching!
@@SDodge I could be wrong, as I'm still new to this, but having taken apart and servicing several Ronson standards, it seems this thin piece of metal is essentially a spring that catches the wheel in only one direction - basically it holds all the force of the action while the wheel turns! Haha. But anyway, the operating mechanism seems to be in the fact it is an incomplete ring - so long as the "wings" on the sides of this Spring Ring line up with the snuffer cap in such a way as to hold it in place, the slight variance between one 'end' of the ring and the other will cause it to catch the grooves on the side of the file wheel (i prefer calling it a flint wheel, too, myself), thereby dragging the wheel across the flint.
I actually am somewhat critical of this little piece of metal, but oh well. XD
Got one from 1934 that still works like new, always lights on the first strike.
That is awesome! Truly they don't make things like they used to. Ronson made a quality product and I rarely find real problems with them. 1934 is somewhat early for the Standard, that must be a really cool piece.
S Dodge the one I have is a Princess. It’s fully brushed and polished metal, with a place to engrave initials (it’s not engraved though). I have a doubt: is the Princess a fundamentally women’s model, or not? Also, I have a Standard from the late 40s too. Only had to thoroughly clean the wheel to make it work perfectly.
Hi I have a antique Ronson lighter cigarette case combo that I would like to get the lighter working again. Do you know of any repair shops in the Seattle/Everett Washington area?
i can use zippo flint on ronson lighter standart us model 1943?
I found a yugoslav lighter at an antiques shop I'm having trouble with. Any interest?
I have a supreme version it's the same but on the lighter it says smc
Good video but would you mind going through replacing a wick and cotton wool with that exact lighter as its the model i've got but its got no wick but it came with spares such as wick, cotton wool and fire bronze and am a little confused what goes where? If you let me have your email address I can send you some photos if that would help. Thanks
Heee can you help me I have the same lighter from my grandma and the refill screw don’t open do you have any suggestions?
How do you replace flint when there isn’t even a spark?
What if the striker wheel and flint don't touch
How did you put that fuel cap back on?
How do you replace the wick of these kind of lighters?
This was my great grandpas and I’m trying to fix it for my dad but I don’t wanna mess it up
How would you put in the wick?
Hallo all! I happen to have a Standard but mine is 6.5 cm tall. Could anybody, please, tell me how to replace flint and wick?
I have a Ronson standard.. having problems with the flint wheel rotation? Any suggestions
Corey Carroll same here, although with a similar Mosda
If there's blockage in the flint tube I would take the top off and carefully carefully carefully drill in the flint tube and make sure to only drill the old flint that's solidified and crumbled inside of the flint tube. If there's no blockage then I'd assume it something else with the flint wheel. Maybe if blockage isn't the case then I'd assume it something with how the locking washer is inside the capper and flint wheel
Sorry for the super long comment lol I just wanted to give u a good understanding of what could be happening! Good luck!
David Branch thanks.. flint is clear.. it’s the flint wheel and or locking wheel??
How do you change the wick ? My wick has burnt way down.
I have one of these but where do ya get the damn wick and how do ya put it in? Its got a hole for the fluid and a hole for the flint but what about the wick?
Hi. I got my new wadding, wick, flints @ a smoke shop. As for the wick- the lighter that I'm hoping to fix has a separate chamber for the wick because I never came across any old wick when taking the wadding out. (all other vids I watched has the wick mixed in the same chamber with the wadding) I took the old wick out from the top of lighter and thread a new one down the same hole. We'll see if it works..lol.
How do you add a new wick
I have a Elvin superior automatic the same style from my grandfather and i am confused by it. I collect zippo and styles like
What is the wick size for this lighter?
Do you know why my wheel won’t spin when the flint is under it?
I have the same problem. The wheel turns great when the spring/flint isn't inserted. Wish us luck to get an answer. Cheers!
Suggestion: what if you used some sort of cleaning agent to make it faster?
Yep! A drop of dishwasher liquid in a cup with some water would speed things up.
Sanitizer or alcohol. I use sanitizer because it takes longer to dry and more accessible.
i just got a princess ronson with J L L spring 1955 on the side of it
Where can you find one of these?
I am so excited to be working on my mother's Ronson Standard which was given to her in Europe in 1948 by her fiance. He engraved it with her three initials and he had his first name and '48 engraved on the other side. Then they married and he was MIA/KIA in Korea in 1950. I've grown up looking at this lighter that is in great condition but has never lit a flame. With your help, I figured out the hole on the bottom was missing the flint spring and lock screw. I just got one by buying another Standard. I've also cleaned out that hole filled with flint dust after watching you do it. Just one question... I assume I need a little box of flints. Is there any trick or procedure for installing a flint? I feel like I'm very close to seeing this sweet memento light! Thank you.
Hi, I noticed you posted yesterday. I repair lighters and torches. Crazy because I just got this exact vintage Ronson lighter (Japan crystal cut glass table top lighter insert), but a few years newer and with the butane flame valve and adjustable wheel under it instead of the wick. I loved reading your response. That’s a wonderful but heartbreaking story. I repair lighters and torches but just started vintage, and they are very much the same except solid metal.
I can answer your question. Example: have you ever seen a Clipper lighter? If so have you had the clipper plastic flint wheel that pulls out? Its the same thing but metal instead of plastic. Get a flint and put it into the hole, and put in the screw with the spring mechanism in and tighten closed. Thats it! Drop it in and screw it in! If you have any more problems or questions let me know. Mine is the vintage Ronson Veraflame version thats the exact same thing but a flame valve and adjustable wheel installed under it instead of a wick, and butane instead of lighter fluid. I want you to have your history working to pass down to the next person and used, not forgotten! They will last forever.
@@rafaeltorre1643 hello and thank you for your kind response. Yesterday I purchased some flints and did as you said: I slipped one down the hole and secured it in place with the spring mechanism. I was so happy to see it light that I filmed it and posted it to CZcams to show my sisters! Now I am trying to figure out how to make it light each and every time. It is not yet reliable. I did clean the flint wheel with a toothbrush so it's nice and rough. But I still don't get a spark very often when I depress the lever. My next step will be to get a different brand of flints. The ones I used were at a liquor store and didn't have a name brand. Fellow who sold them to me told me they had been hanging on the rack for years. If you have any additional ideas I'd love to hear. Since you were moved by my story I will tell you this: my mom joined the Red Cross upon learning her husband was missing. Her goal was to work in Korea and find him. She spent 3 years over there. She spent 9 years alone before meeting and marrying my dad. She never stopped trying to get the government to find and honor the missing soldiers. Fifty years later the Army called her to ask if her husband had any living relatives. She connected them with two elderly siblings. They had found her husband's remains in a field in North Korea. He was positively identified and he received a full military honors funeral on Memorial Day in Oceanside California. It was even televised on the local news. So.. to me this gift from him to my mom is more than an old lighter.
@@califwoods Thanks so much I appreciate and love your story. Thanks for sharing.
@@califwoods about your lighter, when you are screwing in the flint spring mechanism and look under the wheel while doing it, you will see nothing with a 1 mm gap under then no gap when screwing it in to confirm the hole was cleared. If so, stretch the spring out about 2 mm and see how it sparks. Do that and report back. If no change I’ll tell you what to do next. The flint needs to be firmly pushed against the wheel but not excessively because the wheel wont turn. Let’s see how it works!
May I see the video of them finding and identifying your mothers husband in korea? Thanks!
What knot you use?
How do you replace the wick in these things?
You'll want to run a piece of (thin) wire in place of the wick first, and use that to pull the wick through. Bend the wire slightly so it will clear the flint tube, then poke it in through the top and out the fill hole in the bottom. Then you want to push the top of the wire through the bottom of the wick, bend it around into a hook and squeeze it in place with pliers. Once that's done, just pull the wire from the bottom until the wick is in place.
What about the flint?
I have one of these, the whole thing is housed within a fake grenade. Its a badass lighter, but the striker wheel is ruined.
I think these lighters are fascinating and would love to get one. I have no clue where to look. Does anyone know where I could get a lighter of this style, with a button ignition?
Keith Fish etsy
eBay. Piezo or battery.
Flea markets, estate sales, and good'ol Sally Ann's. It's fun to check these places out as well.
@@d_lan_ Thank you. I have a few now. they are great!
@@rafaeltorre1643 Thank you. I have a few now. they are great!
I got the same but checkering on the body of it ,
"CADET" RONSON trade mark
made in England
reg des: 870102
Brit pat : nos 621570&677246
Pretty much exactly the same apart from checkered body ,
Comes with a bungady colour box
Simple branding RONSON with 4 gold lines
On bottom edge RONSON CADET C202
Made in England on top edge .
Lovely lighter!.
Beats my 1990 RONSON special Zippo all day.
Yo how do you refill the thing no ones posted that ever lol
Yo if you watched the video you'd know. No one's ever posted it because most all every lighter says "Fill here". It's a tough concept though I understand
Very helpful mate. Thanks a million.
I've striped and cleaned loads of these night mare I got massive hands 🤦🏻♂️
I too have big ham hands, that's why I had to do a few things off camera
you never teach how to change the wick.
czcams.com/video/8wKRYZnN2N4/video.html
For future people looking for this answer: You get tweezers and push in hole and turn at the same time. Thats it.
Tommy shelby's lighter i think?
You would get a better flint wheel clean by using a small brass wire suede shoe brush 😉
Can you fix mine?
I have one
How long does your lighter fuel for? I have a similar but all of the fuel evaporates in about half an hour. Have any tips on what to do?
Oh wow this one usually lasts about two weeks on a full tank. The only few things that jump out at me off hand would either be the rubber gasket around the fuel cap is worn out/gone or that the cap may not be closing all the way and the fuel evaporates from the wick.
I have one... can’t get a spark... already checked everything and don’t know what’s Up.. I think the stone is blocked at the Top... but don’t Want to damage anything this is my first restoration please help... can I get your number so I can text you
Im making this lighter for my grand father
El mío no se abre del todo
Errrm! Flint spring and flint ????
Good evening, I have a RONSON lighter I would like to know about its origin and history, it is gold and silver plated and has this engraved:
Ronson
WINDSOR
EWARK.N.J.USA
U.S. PATENT
2,481,195
Could you help me?
Thank you
You may find some answers on Google search.
@@zoidmo3388 gracias por su explicación muy buena