Make A Bic Lighter Refillable By Installing A Refill Valve 

I have installed valves in Bic lighters and suggest the following to avoid chipping pieces off the center partition that can increase the chances of clogging the system beyond what might have fallen in during the hole drilling step. Sand the perimeter ridge that extends around the bottom of the lighter until even with the bottom to create the widest smooth surface for the gasket to seat against. Then, mark the hole you will drill off center half way between the exact center and either side of the lighter which will allow a full seating area but prevent drilling into the internal partition. I drill with an 1/8th inch bit first after making a small starting point with an awl or center punch (this risks having more plastic pieces that may not come out when you try to remove them). Then I drill as squarely as possible with my final bit (#15 for my valves) and go slowly to avoid any possible cracking or creating a rough sided hole. Next, I create a small chamfered entry point around the circumference with a countersink in my fingers, to help the valve threads dig into the hole sides under complete control. I install the air soft valve with JB Weld black RTV silicone goo which doesn’t stick to the plastic but is good at sealing against pressurized fuel leaks (allow several hours for it to cure before fueling). I have installed the same valves successfully on the smaller Bic lighters as well. Note that you will wear out the flints eventually but they are available online. Be sure you get a small enough diameter flint. I apologize for not providing links but I had no trouble locating everything online. Best to all.

It's not about saving money it's about keeping my favorite lighter that has my favorite stickers alive

Don't listen to all the hate in the comments. If you don't want to refill your bic, then why are you watching the video? Maybe you have a bic with a design on it that you like, or maybe it has sentimental value. Whatever reason, you've shown us how to do it. Thumbs up!

This man is a producer. Not a consumer. He should be a small example of how more Americans should think for themselves and be producers. I also have one of those butane 6 in 1 soldering irons. I was just looking at the valve thinking I could take that out and put it into a bic. I searched RU-vid. Same thing I was thinking. Funny how things work like that sometimes. I dont think I'll be sacrificing my 6 in 1 though so I'll check to see if Bernzomatic sells the valve as a replacement part?

Y'all need to take a chill pill. If you didn't like the video or it doesn't meet your needs, or whatever, just roll on. It's cool to make observations or contribute to the content with helpful or additional hints or cautions, etc., but you can do it without the attitude and disrespect. We all looked at this video most likely because we were interested in 'how to refill a Bic lighter', right? Well, here's one way to do it. Whether you think it's worth it or not, based on your individual circumstances and needs, is your business. This guy put this out there - if you don't like it - roll on. I personally enjoyed watching it for the many other lessons in it, and, I think he explains things well, I like some of the 'considerations' he pointed out, he has a nice voice, I learned some other 'tricks' that can be applied to other projects, etc. I choose to extract whatever lessons I can from any source - even if it isn't something I can use - I still think it was quite clever. So Mike - I think you were quite clever and did a good job. i enjoyed watching you.

Thanks for the upload! I saw the pushpin method and knew there had to be a better option...

Unreal the amount of negative comments on this video. The video was very well done. Thank you

that's funny because I bought the pencil torch and had to return it because there no valve in it. I think you did a pretty good job of the re-fit into the lighter. Sometimes it is incredibly handy when you are out in area that your experiences," McGiver'n" things to life are a huge score to your situation and those with you. Cool, thanks for posting.

I just buy clipper lighters, cheaper already refillable and flint changeable also.

I stopped at 0:07 when i realized this guy knows what he's about and this project is way to advanced for me.

This is a great video with enough explanation, so that I won't ruin my lighter when I do this. I've been looking for a way to refill my lighter that I got from a concert and this looks like the way to go

I made my first one back in late 90's. had it for years. eventually the plastic body of the BIC lighter becomes porous and leaks. The only thing i haven't figured out is how to control a steady flame. They always seem to be too low then gets real big and back to low. its all about pressure. If you have this problem i have had luck by holding down the fork (the red lever) while filling it up to push out the air inside the body. I have to say your pretty spot on because this is how i made my first one. That drill bit your using is called a Brad Point Drill Bit, and you were using a dial caliper not micrometer. Ya i know this video is old but hey its good to see that someone actually did it the right way.

In short, I find the most compelling factor in this is the way you so admirably handle the mounds of nonsensical remarks along with the unwarranted asinine hater-chat. Ultimately this is tops soley because its 1 in a mil to come across one of these bad boys! I close to never watch RU-vid videos, and you good sir, have made a subscriber out of this girl. 😍

The "why do this" comments are a mystery to me. Why search for and watch a "how to make a bic lighter refillable" tutorial video if you 're not interested in reflilling your bic?... That being said, excellent video sir. I don't know if I could ever do it myself since I'm not that familliar with toolwork, but I love it.

You can tell you put a lot of time and care into your projects. Thanks for the info

Thank you thank you thank you! You deserve thanks for skipping past the tedious stuff that so many other RU-vid how-to videos needlessly contain, largely because of either ignorance or laziness on the part of the individual who made it. It's so refreshing to see someone who _can_ be bothered to learn the most basic of video editing skills, and I don't mind anyone taking a little bit of pride in doing so. On that note, I even enjoyed your making it clear that you are specifically, intentionally putting the tiny required bit of work in, to avoid wasting my time (and, I presume, to also take advantage of a knock-on bonus effect, and avoid leaving viewers with the impression that you're just another inconsiderate DIY doofus, like so many others on YT). Hell, that doesn't even address that you're displaying what I think is absolutely the best solution for re-using Bic lighters; thank you for sharing!

As a former drug addict, I F’ing wish I found this video 3 years ago. Woulda saved me a ton of money. I flew through bics for a little less than 2 years. . 1 year 1 month clean tomorrow.

There's an edit at 12:42 in between filling the lighter and lighting it. Then, the just-lit lighter is quickly taken offscreen for a few seconds, before being brought back and placed on the table. This can lead some viewers to think it's a different lighter you're demonstrating, instead of the finished one. Although I don't think that's the case, just keep in mind that the end result --- the part where you prove the whole thing works --- is the most important part of the video, and should never entertain edits.

Thank you!!! Finally a grown man, this way I'm not getting a half assed thumb tack and duper glue job. I was going to do exactly this but I wanted to see a successful conversion done first. Good job and thank you.

I addapted one of the first disposable plastic lighters I bought when I realised that I could not refill it. I was disgusted that so much time , effortand material would be put into something only to throw it away.How naive I was . This would have been in the late 70s or early 80s.I used heat to make the hole and got the valve from an old Dunhill lighter that was broken and screwed it in as per your vid.From memory I had it for years and was verry proud of my handy work .Thanks for the vidio and keep converting !

It’s called a Brad Point drill bit

buddy... go find yourself a fill valve for airsofts... i've been doing mine with them for years now. i used to get my valves from cheap lighters that have smaller metal vaves but airsoft valves are best... there you go~ you got your source~

Why hold the lighter in your hand to drill it when you have a bench vice? Save yourself a nasty injury and eliminate a lot of the pitch and roll causing your holes to be off.

The 1st drill bit is called a " pilot point drill bit " Great for starting a new hole & if using a center punch to mark a hole , It helps prevent slipping off center as well . In the bottom of your lighter there is no need to center punch for marking the start of the hole . By the way GREAT VIDEO :)

Man, you are such a genius, you completely changed my life! And your explaining is so... exact and complete; qialitywise the same level as your craftmanship! Awesommmmmmmme!!

Really liked the video, most people wouldn't take the time to refill a Bic but in my experience it always feels better to use something that you've worked on yourself, plus you're recycling so there's less plastic in the trash so there's that too.

It is called a wood drill as the names suggest its for drilling into wood

Hand torches that are of the expensive typehave either the standard refill valves or the kind you lmentioned. However I have been in some Indian run stores and especially any stores that sell cigars and cigar equipment. Kroger here where I live in their cig section sells Firebird cigar lighters but I wouldnt gut a perfectly new 7 dollar triple jet for it. I'm a hobbyist / modder I save and gut torches all the time.Off topic slightly. if you ever need replacement fuel hoses on hand torches / cigar lighters best place to get them are by gutting 88 cent wal mart kitchen lighters in the camping section.

For the center wall, see your dentist about some used dental bits. Some of them are 'grinders'. You get much smaller pieces. Then maybe some wire insulation and blow them out?

With the KWA valves you need 7/32 and 11/64 drill bits. You don't need brad point. Regular drill bits work.

When I made this video, I thought MAYBE I would get 100 views ... 16.5k and still going. I had no idea so many people would be interested in this kind of a mod. :-) Thank you for watching!

Those drill bits are called brad point. They help keep the bit from sliding off the target mark without sliding around. Regular common bits are called jobbers and are generally angled for either metal or wood. Brad points are usually used for wood and plastics. They also tend to tearout less than regular jobbers.

See this videos description for a link on where to purchase the nozzles

good idea brad point drill bit and i found like 50 sites with those refill valves just by typing lighter refill valve on the search box. i think maybe u couldnt find it cause u call it a nozzel instead of a valve. 3 for 4.99 on one site. good idea im gonna make one as soon as they get here

Buy a $1 refillable lighter and use the mini refill valve. You don’t need a giant one. The tiny ones fit perfect in a mini BIC. It has a gasket on top and has an awesome seal with the nozzle. No wasted butane. And with torches use high quality butane only.

I did this today. I had zero issues with the wall. The drill bit eats it up no problem. The plastic wasn’t a problem either.

Its not called a micrometer. What you have are dial calipers btw. Thanks for the video.

G’day I’m Dave or ( Brownie ) for those gas valves you might be able to purchase from a cigar or a tobacconist. I was watching a gentleman fix a xcar lighter & he made mention of the shops but not the cost of parts. Thank you for the clip .

The first drill bit is called a “bradpoint”.

Some constructive comments. That is not a micrometer, it's a dial caliper. It probably has a metal rod that comes out of the bottom when opening. That's a depth gauge. Measure how deep the valve needs to be drilled and use that know your depth. Or measure the valve and then mark the drill bit with a marker. It will be faster and that the guessing out. Also have you thought about using the valve from an adjustable lighter? About $.50 a lighter, probably the cheapest option. And I do really like this video and I am going to give it try. I'm all for saving items and repurposing them.

How to make a bic refillable: Step 1: buy a clipper

A flat drill bit usually used to drill through like masonry or metal and the other regular ones you were using our for like wood. Great video

why not just buy a clipper lighter they are refillable and designed so the flint is easily replaceable

You can actually buy refillable / disposable lighters. Basically, you can refill them 3 or 4 times before the sparking mechanism gives out. Having said this.. just recycle the filling valve.

This is the best Bic lighter hack on the internet. Bic pre-1993 adjustable flame lighters rule! 🔼

you could also use the vice when drilling so you drill straight and not into your hand.

Hold the lighter while drilling. And use the vice as a press. Hmmmm.

The original article I came upon was how to "Refill a Bic Lighter" and as soon as it got to the part where it mentioned to unscrew the flame adjuster, I had to immediately call BS. A Bic Lighter, the disposable wonder made in France hasn't had an adjustable flame since about 1987. You cannot fill a regular, disposable, non adjustable Bic, it isn't possible and that's on purpose. Adding a fill port valve of course would solve this issue, but so will a dollar fifty.

Thank you for this video...I have several Bentley butane lighters that have replaceable butane tanks. I am attempting to convert them into refillable butane tanks. This video is the answer. Thanks!!

Thanks for the video. I'm going to have to try this. A couple things to add about refilling and capping with a pushpin which is what I currently do. 1. The flint in the Bic lighter will eventually be exhausted also, so with one refill only you don't have to worry about the flint running out, and having to replace it(which can be a pain). 2. In all of the pushpin refill videos I've seen, either the whole, or part of the pushpin is left in the bottom. This is ridiculous, I just bite down on the plastic with a bit of a hefty wire cutter, and it shatters, what is left is a small nail head, which you can just push in. 3. You can purchase flints, they sell them for Zippos, or source them from other Bics I guess..

you could have at least sourced them from cheap refillable lighters instead of a 10 dollar cordless soldering iron lol.

This is the best of all the videos on YT on this subject.

Yours is the best video for this

There's a lot of haters but seriously you have no Idea how much this helped me out on a huge prototype project...Thank you! Sometimes the best answers are the simple ones.

My smoke shop gives me a lighter for $1c (yes One Cent) when I buy cigs. They are refillable!! ...but they are hard to light. Takes a lot of effort to push the button. Paiute smoke shop in Las Vegas, NV. I've got about 40 of them! I will use one or two to try your experiment.

Thanks for taking the time to help others from your experience.

A vise is a handy device

I simply use Clipper lighters xD but this is a really good project, definitely not meant to be done by everybody but a nice funny-to-see video about human ingenuity and reluctance to throw away something towards what you might have a feeling because has been with you for a long time, or through the good times. Thumbs up!

Most smokers are watching this video.

The drill bit you talk about at first - is a "Wood drill" Just because it's meant to be used on wood.

Check the comments for updates on valve sources - you can also search the Internet for 'airsoft refill valve' or 'butane gas refill valve' - Amazon sells them as do retailers dealing in paintball supplies.

Tysm! I want to sell lighters that I hand paint but I want it to be refillable bcuz they take a while to make. This video solves that weird lump at the bottom & the fact that using the other technique makes it harder to refill a second time or stand the lighter up.

You can tell whoever shits on this idea is a lazy chump haha a project like this is fun easy takes 5 minutes with bare minimum tools and has saved me $300 in bics over the years

you can use an end mill bit ...it has a flat buttom ..but it has no pilot center

Sorry to burst the bubble but if im not wrong i could hear the butaine escaping ? Was that why you ended the video so fast

If you go to the dollar store they have refillable mini torches and they crap out all the time but have the little valves that you are looking for around $2-3$

@2:20 "We don't want the nozzle to stick out. Otherwise we could not stand the lighter up and it would not be very functional" Who needs to stand their bic lighter up? Furthermore, who says a lighter is not functional when they can't stand it up?? lol. The ultimate bic would also have an adjustable flame. I believe at one point long time ago bic sold such a lighter. If you look hard enough you can still find these god level magical unicorn bics. Maybe even catch yourself a leprechaun that smoke cigs or any drugs for that matter. I bet they would have one of those bics,; at the very least they'd know where you can find one.

I'm going to do this to my Texas Flag bic lighter when it runs out, and it's almost there now. I've had that lighter for years. Thanks for the info!

Harbor freight has cheap pen torches with removable valves.

try putting in a new flint. such fun. until the spring flies off into another dimension. but it can be done is you have a sentimental bic you just can not part from.

I need you're service for my Bic lighter's

I been making my own Bic lighter refillable for years,I just carefully remove valve from another common refillable,seems most people throw them away...but then go buy a bic...I ' also drop them,this sometime screws up the valve...so I just make a small leather,case this protects the lighter from drops,to the floor.i also put a small amount of glitter to the bottom of lighter,so I always see my bic....ahuh..

Great idea but you should NEVER drill into something your holding in your hand. One slip and you're drilling into your hand. Especially considering you had a vice there to hold your lighter the whole time. A vice would allow you to drill evenly into the lighter a lot easier as well.

Couldn't you just buy a BBQ lighter, dissect it, take out the gas tank, release the gas from the gas tank, and take the fill valve from there instead of purchasing a $6 fill valve from a sketchy website?

So why? and I know you're just going to delete this comment because you didn't ask yourself this question before you made it, but, even refillable lighters don't cost $10 and you can replace the Flint. how are you going to do that with a Bic? Why would you want to do that with a Bic?

I just did this with a Scripto Grill lighter. I took apart a broken refillable lighter that I previously modded, the slide on the button broke so it was dead. I tore it down to the little valve on the bottom. With a little luck I was able to extract the valve from the lighter. On the grill lighter. I tore it down to the fuel tank, I heated a screwdriver that was a little smaller than the valve and pressed it through the tank (Tank was empty). I fit the valve on the tank and it fit snugly. I had some of that as seen on TV Lazer Bond UV glue so I glued the outside of the valve heavily to the fuel tank. I had to modify the case of the grill lighter for the valve to stick out. I put a little butane gas in the fuel tank and the lighter fired right up. I'm going to leave it before fully filling it up in case it leaks but it shouldn't since that lazer UV glue seeps into small spaces. Might post a quick video of this showing what I did. I don't normally shoot video on the fly of me doing stuff like this because I don't know if something is going to work or not.

Wow, I haven't been checking in for comments ... apparently there are quite a few. Let me first state - for the record - the entire reason I started developing a method for making Bics refillable in the first place. Exhibits 1 and 2 (these are pics of the same lighter, just different sides): 1) i.imgur.com/x6jtSeK.jpg 2) i.imgur.com/PU00nZZ.jpg As a hobby, I like to carve images onto Bic lighters, then use an epoxy resin to seal the art. When I do this for friends, they quickly become attached to the lighter and they, of course, want to be able to continue using the lighter. even when it runs out of fluid. Walla - this method was developed! Also, let me state that cheap refillable lighters (in the sub $10 range) are CRAP! They have too many moving parts which become loose very quickly, and they ignite MAYBE one in five attempts. And the older the lighter gets, the more clicks it takes to ignite them. Bic lighters are hands down, the absolute best lighter EVER invented: 1) They work at the first strike EVERY SINGLE TIME WITHOUT FAIL (as long as there is fuel)! 2) They are shaped PERFECTLY for human hands. 3) They are SIZED PERFECTLY for storing in any pocket or purse. 4) ZERO sharp edges or awkward shape. 5) The best engineering in a lighter EVER. Even in refillable lighters that cost over $30 or more, I experience more hassles with the lighter than I EVER do with a Bic. Bic lighters are simply THE STANDARD that every other lighter aspires to, but ALWAYS fails. Perhaps this is why Bic produces over SIX MILLION of these lighters every DAY! That's roughly 2.2 BILLION lighters every year! DAMN that's a lot of lighters! If Al Gore ever learned about how many lighters Bic produces in a year, I'm sure he would somehow figure out a way to blame Bic for global warming! (If you think I'm kidding ... then just google 'Al Gore Inconvenient Truth Leaked Email' - and enjoy!) And people SERIOUSLY! ZIPPOS????? For Real? I shouldn't even have to say the obvious here, but since we seem to have a wide range of experience among our viewers ... ZIPPOs are the lowest common denominator for refillable lighters. They are messy, they stink, the flame tastes awful when you light your cigarette or pipe, and they are bulky and clumsy. HARDLY worth using in a survival scenario. YES, there are butane mods for Zippos, but to me, thats like installing a small gasoline engine onto a 10 speed bike ... yeah ... I GUESS it works better ... but ... it's still a ZIPPO! BLEH! Concerning Bic flints ... many of you said that a Bic flint only lasts as long as two or three refills. This is TOTALLY FALSE! I've refilled my Bic more than 10 times without running out of flint. At $1.55 per lighter, that costs more than the refill nozzle. Get your facts straight people! And again, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!!! ... over 114,000 views so far on a video that I thought would MAYBE get 100 views (literally). You guys ROCK!

it still a good job. and it saves money. I just push the Right tack in it and it takes a second to do. its never came off in my pocket and you get real fast at doing it. that's a better way, but its all good. I have not purchased a bic lighter in 6-7 years now. hated buying them all the time.

That's a brad point drill bit.

So a lighter with a thumbtack in the bottom of it that cost less than a penny a piece is more ridiculous than spending $10 on a butane lighter just to get the fill nozzle out of it to repair a $.099 lighter

Imagine going thru all this then you smoke with someone then lose it. Stinger for sure

I don’t think people get that they use this for like Vintage bic lighters

i like this idea better but its too much for work for us who’re not familiar with these tools 😃 where can i buy a refillable bic lighter tho? 😭

I have seen others ask w hy you would do this. I have a vintage Winston Table Lighter that I purchased from eBay. It has a cricket lighter that is now empty, and had the flint unusable. I am planning on doing this to restore the cricket lighter to use, as it is an oval/octagonal shape that fits inside the Winston holder base, and could not be replaced by a Bic lighter. Another tip for others attempting the flint replacement or repair. I used a flat blade small Skil screw driver from Model #010-359-SKL and worked it clock wise and counter clock wise, chewing up the flint until I got to the spring. I used the flat blade screwdriver to push the spring back in, positioned a flint above the flat blade with needle nose pliers, and moved the flat blade atop the flint pushing it in, and then put the flint wheel back into place. I will try to get my wife to film me doing this, and upload it, for those who wish to attempt the repair. It also works with the penguin lighters after removing the spring to remove the obstructing old flint, under the flint wheel.

finally i can use my favorite skinned bic lighter forever!!!!!!!!!!

When the flint run's out i just replace it with a my friends lighter flint, once it runs out of fuel there is usually a lot of flint left in the lighter! Just make sure you don't loose your parts cause when you take the little wheel out the flint and a spring will fly out!

People ask why waste time switching this? I did this with my 15yo WWF HHH lighter. Yea I just don't have the heart to throw it out. I mean come on who has a WWF bic lighter today still flickin'

Definitely have to try this one. You can get the nozzle from a torch at home depot for $10 I'll buy a few of them. I did the pushpin trick but I find that you waste a lot of butane to refill something that cost maybe $2. I've torn apart dead BiC lighters for the flints for my Zippo but The fluid evaporates too quickly from the zippos so I'll be trying this trick. and when the flint wears out just hack another lighter.

Well what do you do when the flint is all used?

thank you man i was wondering where to get one of those i didn’t know it would be under airsoft

5:50 video starts here

good idea we been doing this for a few years i usuall find nozzles from the 99 cent store refillable bar b que lighters with the long tip or those cheap metal lighters

How Many Refills can you get outta a bic before it runs out of spark?

My research shows it to be a spear point drill bit, different twist than a standard or brad point drill bit. My other research for sizing info doesn't apply as I had to purchase a Weller ML500MP and the removable valve appears to be smaller at 11/64th at the center shaft measurement. And not worth the purchase price for the smaller valve.

You can buy a 5 or 10 pack on Amazon of Lighters that have those in them

I usually buy a refillable torch from a gas station for about $6 and i just twist out the refill part and i use a little dermal drill thing to make a little hole and i put a little super glue and push it in it works perfect every time but i have been trying to fine somewhere to buy the refillable part cheaper i wish you could buy them in bulk ahah!!

any airsoft shop has the single buy

nozzels are for airsoft gas guns and they are in varius sizes

if send you my lighter and pay you for the supplies can you do this for me?

had the same idea using a push down one way fill valve from a broken lighter , the valves on bics where the flame shoots out are of course push up valves with the lever/button