My NEW Windmill Lighter Scares Me

WHOOAAA!!

I received my new Windmill Lighter last week from Countycomm and man...it scares me!!!

What the heck?!?! This thing is powerful and I like the flame but it takes a long time to go out and flames up after the igniter is released...it took a while for me to talk myself in to a $40 lighter and now that I have it, I think I am going back to a Bic...

This thing just doesn't feel right...you know that feeling in the pit of your stomach when something is not right...well, I get that feeling everytime I light this thing...

Why would it still be releaseing fuel and flames after I release the igniter and it still sounds like a blowtorch? Does anyone else know what I am talking about?? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I have one of those lighters, from CountyComm. Mine doesn't do that. On mine, the flame goes out as soon as you release the button.

Sounds like it's defective.

Edit: Or. Maybe it's too full. Seems like when I followed some of the filling tips from the cigar people, it behaved as you described. Just once, right after (over)filling. Could this be it?

Dan-e-boy,

It should not do what you are describing. Mine has never done that and it is quite old and used (...as evidenced by the scratches and crud) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Try adjusting the valve on the bottom (toward the "minus")



I've never had a problem with over-filling it. I use a quality fluid and cram as much in there as I can. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Hope that helps. If not, it may be damaged or defective, like groo said.

Well...I'll be....now I feel REALLY stupid!!!

It appears that the flame adjustment was preset on HIGH...VERY HIGH...so I was able to adjust it to a very low setting and now everything is fine...thanks for the help <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

now that its settled how is the lighter, is it waterproof etc?

If you want to know REAL fear, and you are male, get divorced and end up in family law court. No PSK, no BOB, not even a reasonably sharp pencil with which to defend yourself ... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Info on winmill lighters:

Main Winmill page

Info page on Winmill lighters

No, no, no, Maggot!

Real fear is being in a second floor bedroom when the husband comes home early and your knees won't let you run down the stairs, jump out the window, and the clothes closet isn't deep enough to hide behind the clothes.

That's real fear!

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Fear? You want fear?

How about handing a simple computer problem to a co-worker because you are busy, coming back 10 minutes later to get a screwdriver and finding that he had just formatted the drive... when it was supposed to be a data back up.

THAT is fear.

Rena

Fear? You want fear?

Try droping off a boat in an area reputed to have dolphins, see shadowy shape in distance, swim todays the perceived mammal, only to find out it's a fish, a big fish...darr dum darr dum dit dit ( you know the tune). Let's just say my wet suit was formatted in special way ok.

Rena:

At least you have "Unformat & Rescue" programs to fall back on. Ever since Warren Beatty made that film about leacherous men posing as gay hairdressers, you can't even convince the modern husband that you were only there to do her hair.

Bountyhunter

Stokie:

Do you remember how they determined the first victim at the beginning of the "Jaws" movie had dandruff?























They found her "Head & Shoulders" on the beach.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

bountyhunter

Nice, very funny.

Golden glow plus, eh?

hehehe

Rena

Hmm. If I remember correctly the film your talking about is "Shampoo".
While you might remember Warren Beatty, I have vivid memories of a half naked Goldie Hawn strutting her stuff.....Ahh, if only... Julie Christie wasn't bad either....
To be able to link Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn into a post about lighters I think is testament to the forum members depth of knowledge on a wide range of subjects
<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Joblot:

Lighters?

What are you talking about Willis?

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Talking about me again?




(Check my profile) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, your only defense is, gasp, an ATTORNEY!!! Scary as can be, I know. Cost me 44% of my retirement!!!

Stokie:

I didn't know you were on Family Ties!---Sorry, I meant "Different Strokes".

What's it like to work with Gary Coleman?

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Getting back to the Windmill lighter topic, I pulled mine out of my BOB last week and the darn thing was empty. Tried to refill it with butane and it all leaked out in a couple of seconds. This is my second Windmill, the first was returned for the same issue.

I am beginning to think Windmill is not first choice for a survival fire starting tool. I've had better luck with $.99 BICs <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

At any rate, I would be interested in what you guys depend on in the butane lighter category. I'm about ready to give up on Windmill. Its a good thing they have a lifetime guarantee.

Craig.

but did they determine what the problem was?
a faulty seal or something?

For me it's either a Permanent Match or mini Bic. Well, technically the Permanent Match is Zippo Fluid so I guess for butane lighters it's mini Bic

The MINI BIC is good. But can it light at high altitude?

I hear very good of the Vector GEAR:



Wind, Water & High-Altitude Resistant.


but if you need a water proof lighter look at this from Colibri:


Quantum Submersible.

Regards - Thomas

Thomas,

Both those lighters look superior. Do you have a preferred source? Thanks.

Craig.

They didn't say the first time I returned it about 18 months ago. I guess I'll return it again, but I've really lost confidence in their dependability at this point. This puppy is going to be relegated to "casual" use.

Just click the image!

<img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Celler:

Instead of regulating such an expensive piece of equipment to "casual" use, demand the performance that their sales pitch was based upon, or demand your money back. You can use the refund to buy something that works as advertised.

Bountyhunter

Eh, I bought the thing over 3 years ago and I don't even remember who I purchased it from. The "lifetime warranty" only recovers repair, not refund.

Of course, I've taken on city hall before, but honestly, this one isn't worth my time or aggravation.

I will take solace in hopefully helping someone else not make the same mistake.

Who knows, maybe the third one will be the charm. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for all the replies.

Craig.

I can report that although I haven't done anything "extreme" with it, I carry my Windmill every day and have not had any problems with it. OTOH, that Colibri Quantum Submersible sure does look interesting.

Anybody have any experience with them?