DeanJ
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2006
- Messages
- 34
The Story
I don't smoke, but I have always carried a lighter. I want whatever I EDC to be the best. Bic lighters are reliable, but disposable. Zippo lighters are cool, but the fuel dries up. Butane lighters are flashy, but they are bulky. Key chain capsule lighters are small and reliable, but poorly made. To me the answer seemed obvious: a 6AL4V titanium casing to hold a key chain lighter. So, after consulting with my favorite CNC guy (and yours) I drew up some plans and headed over to the best CNC shop in town. I talked to the machinist for almost 2 hours. We went over my drawings, looked at other 'spy capsules' and a variety of key chain tools. Finally, he looked at me and agreed to move forward. It took several weeks, several phone calls, and several e-mails. But, last week I took delivery of small bag of titanium goodness.
The Titanium Backup
Smooth: I designed the Titanium Backup to be smooth so that it won't scratch anything else. It won't scratch your cell phone, your favorite leather wallet, or your skin (if hanging around your neck).
Concealed: Sun Tzu (Art of War) tells us not let our enemies know our true strengths and weaknesses. The Titanium Backup is designed so that when others look at it they will not know what it is, and will not be interested in finding out. Even the key chain/lanyard hole is designed to not attract attention.
Tough and Light: The beauty of titanium is that it is both strong and lightweight. I don't think that it would be damaged if it were run over by a car. But, it is still lightweight enough to wear comfortably as a pendant.
Versatile: The Titanium Backup can also be used as a backup survival kit (pendant) to hold a couple of bills (I hate being surprised that I don't have enough cash). Also, it can act as a pocket pill case.
Gaskets: The gaskets that usually come on these key chain lighters are thin and small. Because they are not designed to withstand heat (as in fire from a lighter), they quickly fail. The Titanium Backup is designed to be gasket free. The two titanium parts tighten together and form a great seal. Without a gasket I don't know what the waterproof rating (how many atmospheres) would be. I do know that I put some tissue in one, tightened it down, and left it in a glass of water for the night. In the morning, the tissue was 99.9% dry. However, if you want 100% protection, there is room at the base of the threads to add a gasket (your local hardware store has a selection).
Specifications
Material: 6AL-4V Titanium
Finish: Raw, some scuff marks from being in one bag together, satin/almost satin
Exterior Dimensions: 2.19" x 0.56"
Internal Diameter: 0.44"
Lanyard Hole: 0.33" x 0.28" (at widest)
Weight: 0.5 ounce (empty) 0.8 ounce (with lighter and fuel)
Price and Supply
I approached this project as a group buy of sorts. I wanted a titanium casing for my lighter, and the only way to afford it was to purchase 50. I have 10 left. If the remaining pieces sell out, and there is still interest, I will arrange to get more. If it takes more then a couple months to sell them, I will enjoy my new lighter and be done.
Price: $old
US Shipping: $old
International Sipping: $old (USPS Registered to your postal service, you assume the risk after that)
Paypal address: [email protected]
[Please include your CPF Handle in the notes of your PayPal transfer]
Extras
I thought it would be great to use the Titanium Backup as a small survival kit. So, I tracked down some 0.38" compasses (Sun Company #889B) and some 1.0" x 0.25" flint rod (ferrocerium). I love having one of the capsules with a compass, a flint, several feet of bird scare tape, and a $100 bill on my key chain. I will include a compass, and a flint with each unit. You can buy your own scare tape from the local nursery. Also, I will include a pack of flints and the spy capsule from the original lighter (on some of these the gasket is already shot/missing/worthless).
I don't smoke, but I have always carried a lighter. I want whatever I EDC to be the best. Bic lighters are reliable, but disposable. Zippo lighters are cool, but the fuel dries up. Butane lighters are flashy, but they are bulky. Key chain capsule lighters are small and reliable, but poorly made. To me the answer seemed obvious: a 6AL4V titanium casing to hold a key chain lighter. So, after consulting with my favorite CNC guy (and yours) I drew up some plans and headed over to the best CNC shop in town. I talked to the machinist for almost 2 hours. We went over my drawings, looked at other 'spy capsules' and a variety of key chain tools. Finally, he looked at me and agreed to move forward. It took several weeks, several phone calls, and several e-mails. But, last week I took delivery of small bag of titanium goodness.
The Titanium Backup
Smooth: I designed the Titanium Backup to be smooth so that it won't scratch anything else. It won't scratch your cell phone, your favorite leather wallet, or your skin (if hanging around your neck).
Concealed: Sun Tzu (Art of War) tells us not let our enemies know our true strengths and weaknesses. The Titanium Backup is designed so that when others look at it they will not know what it is, and will not be interested in finding out. Even the key chain/lanyard hole is designed to not attract attention.
Tough and Light: The beauty of titanium is that it is both strong and lightweight. I don't think that it would be damaged if it were run over by a car. But, it is still lightweight enough to wear comfortably as a pendant.
Versatile: The Titanium Backup can also be used as a backup survival kit (pendant) to hold a couple of bills (I hate being surprised that I don't have enough cash). Also, it can act as a pocket pill case.
Gaskets: The gaskets that usually come on these key chain lighters are thin and small. Because they are not designed to withstand heat (as in fire from a lighter), they quickly fail. The Titanium Backup is designed to be gasket free. The two titanium parts tighten together and form a great seal. Without a gasket I don't know what the waterproof rating (how many atmospheres) would be. I do know that I put some tissue in one, tightened it down, and left it in a glass of water for the night. In the morning, the tissue was 99.9% dry. However, if you want 100% protection, there is room at the base of the threads to add a gasket (your local hardware store has a selection).
Specifications
Material: 6AL-4V Titanium
Finish: Raw, some scuff marks from being in one bag together, satin/almost satin
Exterior Dimensions: 2.19" x 0.56"
Internal Diameter: 0.44"
Lanyard Hole: 0.33" x 0.28" (at widest)
Weight: 0.5 ounce (empty) 0.8 ounce (with lighter and fuel)
Price and Supply
I approached this project as a group buy of sorts. I wanted a titanium casing for my lighter, and the only way to afford it was to purchase 50. I have 10 left. If the remaining pieces sell out, and there is still interest, I will arrange to get more. If it takes more then a couple months to sell them, I will enjoy my new lighter and be done.
Price: $old
US Shipping: $old
International Sipping: $old (USPS Registered to your postal service, you assume the risk after that)
Paypal address: [email protected]
[Please include your CPF Handle in the notes of your PayPal transfer]
Extras
I thought it would be great to use the Titanium Backup as a small survival kit. So, I tracked down some 0.38" compasses (Sun Company #889B) and some 1.0" x 0.25" flint rod (ferrocerium). I love having one of the capsules with a compass, a flint, several feet of bird scare tape, and a $100 bill on my key chain. I will include a compass, and a flint with each unit. You can buy your own scare tape from the local nursery. Also, I will include a pack of flints and the spy capsule from the original lighter (on some of these the gasket is already shot/missing/worthless).
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Cheers
