self defence lighter

[Purple Fire]

I have uploaded 2 pics named "self defence lighter", and "self defence lighter fuel" to the FTP. They are part of a project I am working on in light of the "what can I do to stop my ass getting kicked in a dark alley" posts. Its small: fits in a the palm of your hand, light: 49.84g when empty (I have new scales and I'll be damned if I'm not gonna flaunt it), cheap to run: $5 for a can of fuel that would last about 20 fillings, and would scare the living shit outa sum little punk, while doing no permnent damage (save from a bit of singed facial hair). I am still working on building an ignitor system and have yet to neaten it all up ie. remove the jagged bits of wire etc. but i thought I'd chuck it on the ftp to get some feedback. Basically, you point and pull the "trigger", and a get a jet of flame about 1.5m long, when the trigger is released, you get a fireball about 0.5m square (not intentional, but I'm not complaining). You can get about 5 short bursts from one tank, more that enough to startle someone enough for you to turn and run your little ass off. The idea was to scare them and provide a chance for escape, rather than hurt them, but I think a full tank full to the face would probably hurt like a bitch all the same. I was impressed by what it did in daylight, and have yet to see what it will look like at night :D

Its basically made from a small BB gun CO2 cannister and the useful bits from a disposable lighter: the needle valve and the "trigger" thingy. The lighter was carved up and the regulator removed from the valve. The CO2 cannister then had the hole in the top drilled out to fit the needle valve. The trigger thingy was re-attatched to the valve, minus loads of unimportant stuff like the flint mechanism etc. A small "gaskett" was made from plumbers thread tape and helps to keep the join between the rough cannister edge and the valve gas-tight. 2 ajustable matal hose clips were linked together and tightened round the end of the cannister till they wouldnt slip. Then stainless stell wire was used to pull the valve assembly down onto the cannister and twisted with pliers till it was firmly squashed against the gaskett.

Nice and simple at the moment, but as I said I have yet to build a relyable ignitor and make it a little more ergonomic. At the moment its also a bit of a bitch to fill, a process involving levering with screwdrivers, bracing aginst the floor etc. When I have ploished up the design and made some improvements like widening the valve and adding a proper trigger I will probably upload another pic.

Well there you go, that was my weekends contribution. Any feedback would be great, has anyone made something similar before? Any ideas for further improvements would be apreciated. (This has all been repeated in a text file that accompanies the pictures on the FTP)

edit:
the pics and the text file have all gone into the "Uploads" folder as thats all I can get to at the moment (I have a password but the internet hates me) :(

they are:
self defence lighter.jpg
self defence lighter fuel.jpg
self defence lighter.doc

<small>[ July 09, 2002, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: Purple Fire ]</small>

[Eliteforum]

It'd be a nice idea if you told us what the picture name WAS and WHERE they were.

However, sounds simplistic enough.

[mark]

Could some one who knows how to use the FTP(I dont) please post the picture in this thread?

[kingspaz]

looks a pretty decent idea. well done...i shrunk (sp?!) the pictures down lots because they where unnecessarily huge.

<img src="http://www.boomspeed.com/kingspaz/lighter2.JPG" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.boomspeed.com/kingspaz/fuel2.JPG" alt=" - " />

<small>[ July 09, 2002, 06:01 PM: Message edited by: kingspaz ]</small>

[Purple Fire]

Shit, they were huge wernt they! Sorry, thats just how my scanner scanned them, I dont have a digital camera :( I thought I'd just clarify, those really mankey wires down the sides, are infact incredibly tight, its just they are seriously full of twists from being constantly re-hashed till I got the thing to work. Ran out of light fuel today so Im not sure how long till I can get back to the modifications. Just been sitting here and sketching up various ideas. So far, Im planning on destroying another disposably lighter to keep a pilot flame infront of the nozzle, and trying to work out a better way of holding the top (valve assembly) onto the cannister cos damn those wires are sharp!!!

edit:
I'm also tossing around the idea of making it more like a "real" flamethrower, and using the butane to propel a chamber of liquid fuel. Napalm in the face could do some SERIOUS damage :D but then again, thats defeating the purpose of making it more or less harmless. Maybe an attatchment so you could either carry it as a napalm launcher OR has a harmless scaring people away device? One that you could switch to quickly if the guy does decide to chase you? Hmmm, I think more sketching is called for!

<small>[ July 09, 2002, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: Purple Fire ]</small>

[Zero]

You sir, think too much. Consider the following:

A standard adjustable Bic or nearest clone is drained of its fuel and dismantled. First remove that useless metal thing surrounding the nozzle, then the flint wheel, flint, and spring. Pry the button off (it's usually held onto the nozzle/valve with two little finger type things), then remove the adjusting ring. Take a small pair of pliers (I use hemostats) and unscrew the valve assembly. The nozzle/valve itself is mounted in a white plug type thing that the adjusting ring engages, and the whole shebang will easily unscrew. If you haven't vented the lighter yet it will do so in your face at this point.

Whack the lighter against something until the regulator (white thing with a little tiny metal disk on it) and the siphon tube pop out. Discard them. screw the nozzle assembly back on all the way (there will be no restance now that the regulator is gone), and affix the button.

You can refil this contraption by holding the button down and filling it right through the nozzle. Without the regulator in place the thing will fill with liquid fuel from the can in a matter of seconds.

Now light another lighter, aim your modified one at the flame, and tap the button.

Woosh.

No CO2 carts, homemade seals, or jury rigging to leak in your pocket.
Looks like a plain old Bic, too, unless you inspect it closely.

~Zero the Inestimable

[Purple Fire]

But zero, wheres the style? the class? Yeah, supose that would do the job, but...the CO2 cannister has a much greater capacity that the lighter = more fire to scare him with. There is the possibility of upgrading it to an all-metal assembly if I can find a small enough valve, making it durable enough to take a moderate beating, and you could probably hit him with it :D . And as in the post above, I think it would be MUCH easier to make this into a liquid fuel one, with the butane as a propellant only. Depends how far you want to develop it I supose, I personally think that 90% the fun is in hashing up something more complicated, to do a simpler job :p

edit:
and the CO2 cannister has the potentioal to hold a more compressed fuel, ie more pressure, more fuel in the same space etc.

<small>[ July 09, 2002, 07:08 PM: Message edited by: Purple Fire ]</small>

[Tyler_Durden]

zero... that's so simple it's almost kewl. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

i will try it as soon as i can pick up a few bic's to play with

the only thing i don't like is having to hold the non-modified lighter in a manner that could easily burn you. a grill lighter would be perfect for this.

[xoo1246]

I remember some pictures from a protest in some asian country where a guy had a huge propane tank wich he had opened and ignited the stream of fuel. You should see the faces of those polices, like 10 of them against this guy. They looked scared.

[Purple Fire]

I was thinking, to keep it simple, that if I use simple wire clamps to hold the valve against the thread tape, then I could fill it 3/4 with petrol, then clamp the valve on and fill the rest with the butane. As all its doing at the moment is pumping the liquid butane out, it might as well throw some petrol out instead! Much cheaper, and probably more effective. Hve more butane now, but the valve died instead :( it was an old lighter, and it had some tough trialing. I think the constant freezing from the butane, then rapid heating with the flame did for it. Now I have to go and buy more lighters (a nice big stack :D ) before the experimenting can continue. Does anyone know a good source of the wire clamp things? like the ones they use on guitar cases and, ummm, cant think of any more :( Wait, got it! Airtight coffee container has just what I need :D think im off to buy a few of them while I'm at it (mmmmmm, coffee). I think the plastic "trigger" may need to be replaced with a bit of metal, I really dont think lighter plastic is up to this sort of thing...

[FragmentedSanity]

Lo all :)

First a quick idea - but whats stopping you simply hooking up a piezo ignighter from a cheap lighter to the trigger?
It works on normal lighters - so it should work.
Those cheap BBQ lighters (refillable butane lighters with a long pipe the flame comes out) have a few interesting bits in them that may be of use. For one you could dismantle it and use the whole thing complete as an ignition source.
you can use the piezo ignighter as described - the best thing is that the lighter inside looks like a normal bic - and works the same, except that the internals are easier to get to, but the advantage is that thay have a valve for refilling built into the bottom of the lighter.
It might be possible to put said valve in the bottom of the CO2 canister making filling much simpler.
but for $2 id suggest you grab one and pull it to bits and see if you get inspired.
Have you tried any different fuels?
engine strting fluid (25% ether) could be interesting and Im sure you could think of others (WD-40 and such like)
I think you would find that if you used say WD-40 you would get more flame, or more distance from the flame - but there may not be enough pressure to pump it out - so possibly mixing it with butane would add the pressure required.
But your concept is a very nice idea.
To turn it into a more serious weapon you could simply use a bigger CO2 cartridge (like the ones you get in a Soda Stream) these are about 13-14 inches long from memory and a fairly solid construction. Not only would it hold more fuel but would also act as a servicable club if they werent detered (much like a big mag light). While this probably isnt practicle for self defence purposes its always fun to scale things up.
**just came to mind** build on of these and put it in the bottom of maglight (sacrifice a couple of batteries for the space) Not only do you get the advantages of the torch as a weapon, which have been discussed in detail elswhere - but you have a neat flamethrower as well. Blind the mugger - flame the mugger - beat the mugger senseless. Or whatever you choose :p But I think that would be a fairly good self defence weapon that would look inconspicuous - if you did a neat job of it even if a cop looked at it they probably wouldnt notice anything. Thats a real consideration here in Australia given our laws about carrying a weapon. In that sence it would beat a knife hands down - as you would have to get caught using it, rather than falling victim to a random search and them turning up a knife (go to jail go directly to jail do not pass go do not collect $200) whereas a torch is just a torch.
OH one more thing - to get the butane into the tank easier - cool the tank and warm the can thats filling it.
Later
FS

[Spudgunner]

That is a good idea! In a 4 D cell maglite, you could use 3 D cells (make sure the bottom one can still contact the bare metal on the cap somehow) and a 3 D cell bulb. You still have a working flashlight, sure, it is only as bright as a 3 D cell instead of a 4 D cell, but you can modify it now too! You could easily drill a hole in the endcap and put stuff in there, but I don't know that you could fit it in the space of 1 D cell. So, you only put 2 in there, put in a 2 cell bulb, and you now have LOTS of room for all your crap. You even have enough room for the circuit off of a small stungun (or home built transformer/stepup thing) that would VERY reliably ignite your stuff (just like piezo but with an inch or more spark).

A question though, how would you be able to press the button or whatever for the gas to come out if it were on the inside of the flashlight/torch? I cannot think of any ideas right now, but you can be sure I am gonna try. I really like this idea.

Spud

[Purple Fire]

Hmmm, flamethrower maglight eh...I love it!!! Blind them, toast them, beat them and leave them for dead :D While we're listing fuels, which of these are likely to attack the plastic parts of the valve? the o-rings etc. I have a feeling that petrol is going to fuck up the valve, would ether? Im trying it out this afternoon with meths and some kero. The clips from the coffee container are PERFECT! I'll scan a pic to show you what I'm talking about. Basically, you can now just take the top off, fill it with liquid, clip the top back on, pressurise and go, all in about 2-3 minutes. It is soooo much faster than twisting those bloody bits of wire!!!

[randomquestion]

I'm loving this idea. For the "fuel release trigger", I'm guessing all you'll need to do is extend the plastic piece that is already on top, by melting on some additional plastic. Then slide that through a hole cut in the side of the flashlight. Please post pictures of your progress.

[Purple Fire]

Here is the clip that will hopefully enable me to use liquid fuel. I am waiting till I can get another one before I fit them on. As a consequence of severe boredom, there will be a website with some of my progress on it, I'm not sure how long I will keep updating it, we shall see...

I have failed to get the image to link to here, so here is the site I'm writing up my progress on:

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/purple_fire_51/self_defence_lighter.html" target="_blank">www.geocities.com/purple_fire_51/self_defence_lighter.html</a>

You may need to copy and paste, I'm not sure.

[xyz]

Purple Fire, Kerosene is simply a heavier grade of petrol (in between petrol and diesel if I remember correctly), I would use metho as a fuel like you suggested as that evaporates and ignites easily but doesn't eat at plastic like petrol does.

[Harry]

Purple fire, you might try using one of the many CO2-powered gadgets that seemed to proliferate about 3-4 years ago--I think it was Reebok that had a CO2-inflated shoe, with a handheld tank. Also, I have a CO2 "spritzer" for disk drives that uses a CO2 cartridge. I've seen a bicycle tire repair kit that uses a CO2 cartridge. They all work on the same mechanism, with trigger, &c.

Harry

[Harry]

Alright, I've been scoping the local hardware shops, came up with: 1)much compressed air fittings, including air chucks, have 1/4" pipe threads. 2)An adapter is available to connect a disposeable propane bottle to 1/4" pipe fittings. 3)screw-in inflation valves are readily available.
Now, let's add 23+23+23 and get 69.
Drill hole into 12g CO2 cartridge. Tap for valve threads. Install inflation valve; some epxy might be good. Combine air chuck with propane adapter, screw onto propane bottle. Use to pressurize 12g CO2 cartrige installed in handheld CO2 device. Ignition handled by disposeable piezo lighter element.
This is my current project. I'll post photos ASAP.

Harry

[BoB-]

Wouldnt it be a whole hell of a lot easier to just use a brass or steel nipple to hold the pressurized propane? Then no threading tools would be needed, just a few more dollars for reduction fittings. I also think that pyrotechnic ignition would be more reliable than piezo-electric.

You know Rat-Shack (Radio Shack) sells butane cartridges the same size as 12gr. CO2 cartridges.

[Harry]

I dimly recall the 12g butane cartridges @ RadioCrap. One memory that won't be repressed. However, those would be rather expensive a solution.

We are going for pocket size in this topic, if I'm not mistaken. Using brass/steel nipple a good idea. I considered it, but bypassed due to...crap, I gotta keep better notes on my thought processes. Perhaps a compressed air blowgun for the valve?
(Speaking of blowguns... &lt;sound of slapping across face&gt; "Back on topic!!!" "Yes sir!")

I managed to obtain, some years ago, a pressure bottle about 1/3 the size of a propane torch bottle. Soon as I can work up an adapter for it, it's next in line for the butane treatment. BTW, the bottle was pressurized with O2/N2/N2O mix for testing and calibrating medical equipment. Technically pocket-sized.

A bit off topic: Boy Scouts come up with the darndest things: met a leader whose troop pumped a full camp stove tank, then sprayed through the campfire--flamethrower.

Harry

<small>[ August 13, 2002, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: Harry ]</small>

[Boob Raider]

I don't think u can fit more butane in a cylinder than its volume no matter how much u increase the pressure. Once the butane is liquified it will only compress very, very little. So the use of CO2 carts. for having more C4H10 because the cart. can take more pressure doesn't seem logical to me. Although the CO2 cart. could contain C3H8 which means that the fire cloud will be a lot scary as C3H8 will exit with a greater pressure which can be also utilized to propell a liquid fuel conventional push style (squirt) or what I think will be more suitable (non/less-scaring) is to have another tank with the fuel of choice (mine would probably be Naptha) and use propane/butane to atomize the liquid fuel.
If just using gas, standard ignition techniques won't work (my experience)as the high exit pressure and lowered temprature doesn't allow piezo spark or flint spark to ignite the gas. I was thinking ... that maybe a small continious AC arc would do the job or a small capacitor (that spark I think would provide sufficient ignition temp.)
But If u make the atomizer design (I am working on it) I think the piezo-electric ignition should work. :cool:

[Cricket]

I made that lighter. Badass little gizmo. Just thought I would say be careful and try not to cary it in your pocket! If you hold it upside down then it will spray the liquid butane out, much bigger fireball! I only did once (lack of butane) and it looked like it went close to the floor (about 3 feet). Can't be sure though, I couldn't see through the flame. I am working on a new one, but it is pretty much just a toy because it is too big to fit in a pocket. But it makes a flame that is large, relatively cheap, and sustainable for a much longer than a lighter.

[Boob Raider]

How r u igniting the gas stream ? Is it something that can be operated with one hand and instantaneously or ur using a second lighter ?

[kanbayat]

although this wouldnt qualify as a pocket flame thrower..A few years ago I bought one of those simple metal oil cans with the pump trigger underneath..about the size of a juice can..pretty small..took off the nozzel and made a burner cage that had holes in it to fit over the end of the tube of the spray end..I used light fluid.like charcoal lighter fluid..filled the can..tipped it a little till the nozzel I had made and a piece of cotton stuffed in it were damp..and lit it on fire..everytime I squeezed the trigger on this it shot a flaming stream of lighter fluid about 20 feet and lit shit on fire at that distance..the cotton never went out until I extinquished it. these oil cans can be bought at any auto parts store.
It isnt that high tech..but you can keep one in youre car..you never know..however..it is no small lighter type device..but man..it will burn shit up at that distance(20 feet or so) and if a little motor oil is mixed with the cahrcoal lighter it will stick to the target much better
.
peace ppl