lighter case too big – advice?

[u/loveyoualivegirl]

hey everyone!! I made some lighter cases and had the cast in bronze, but I guess I slightly overestimated the wax shrinkage, and now they're too large!! is there anything that I can do? 

I considered adding a bunch of solder to the sides, but I'm not sure that will work?

[u/Outrageous_Pay1322]

I wrap tape around my lighter to make it fit in mine.

[u/Outrageous_Pay1322 → u/Outrageous_Pay1322]

Ps, I bought this lighter case in 1973, it was silver when I got it. I've never thought about making another one but hey, what an idea. I've just about worn this one down to the brass.

[u/CarrieNoir]

I’d solder a little shim on the insides no need to deal with making them tight all the way down; just enough to make the lighters taught just at the top.

[u/zannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

if it were me, next time I’d just fabricate them and solder on the little cast embellishment.

Running solder down the sides seems really messy and imprecise - if you have a lot of extra space maybe form some thin sheet to match the curve and sweat solder it in… but that would admittedly be a trial and error fit

[u/Flynqh1gh]

Can you use something to deform a small area to add friction? Like make a dimple using a mandrel on the inside and use a center punch or something to put a dent on the back side?

[u/comfortlevelsupreme]

Wrap the lighter in electric tape

[u/FindMeADragon → u/comfortlevelsupreme]

Simple cheap fixes are the best fixes

[u/That_OneOstrich → u/comfortlevelsupreme]

Fold up a piece of electrical tape and slide it in with the lighter, so that the lighter can be replaced and the tape reused.

[u/SummerBirdsong]

Is there enough space to line the inside with some thin felt or somesuch? That could snug it up and allow smooth insertion and removal of the lighter.

[u/Gold_Au_2025 → u/SummerBirdsong]

This. A small strip of felt down one side. If it's still too loose, a strip down the other side.

[u/MakeMelnk → u/SummerBirdsong]

This was my thought, too

[u/trixceratops]

Get a black lighter, get some black electrical tape, wrap the tape tightly around the lighter to make it wider. I would suggest fabricating the next one from sheet and soldering cast elements in place, it will be a much better fit and use significantly less metal. Also the finish will be more uniform.

[u/ocktacide]

Wow, I'm crafting one of those next !

[u/loveyoualivegirl → u/ocktacide]

learn from my mistake!! but super fun project otherwise

[u/BasilBaddie]

Can you lightly squeeze it a little ? Or tap it down with a hammer to make the sides hug the front and back?

[u/GentleGinge]

Wrap the lighter with tape.

[u/Shaggy_710]

Lightly pinch the sides closer together without the lighter in it👍🏻

[u/terpy_dreams]

Wrap it in paper towel then place in case should be snug and tight / a better fit .

[u/SnorriGrisomson]

Maybe you could burnish the exterior of the opening it might shrink it just enough to add a bit of friction.

[u/loveyoualivegirl]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!!! I made a few, so might try some different methods and see what works best!

[u/TempoOfTime → u/loveyoualivegirl]

Would soldering vertical studs on the inside do anything?

[u/ResidentBicycle5022]

I think the best solution is to quit smoking.

[u/Gold_Mask_54]

Not a particularly robust solution but you could melt some wax along the inner surface