Handwarmers, S01E06: Rebuilding a Zippo Handwarmer Catalyst Head with Springs

[@RethanHunter]

Great idea! My new zippo hand warmer has the "Chinese" type cap. I had just jammed the catalyst material until it stuck in there. Thanks for sharing

[@jglnyc6999]

I just got my order from you. It works great. I'm going to order two more Springs!

[@MountainParameters]

Thanks, The first person to suggest the spring idea to me was river guide Jeff Hanna, who I guess will now have a lifetime supply of springs, carbon felt, and catalyst to show my appreciation. I seemed to take forever to find a source for them, in the end had to get them made up. I've ordered some more springs, and am going to try a few different sizes so we can experiment. For example, the springs I have now seem to be a bit tight in the small Chinese catalyst heads, so I'm going to try a size that is a bit shorter for those heads. Also as the springs are a new method, we'll still have to see how long they last in the heads.

[@snifftube]

thanks for your videos, helps me tons

[@scottnewman5593]

Can you do a topic on the old Coleman catalytic heaters. I would like to see you rebuild the dome head with platinum catalyst.

[@MountainParameters]

Platinum catalyst is for creating an exothermic reaction with naptha liquid fuel, it will not work with propane fuel.

[@freedomfan2295]

I LIKE IT! Just a thought~ have you tried "screwing" the material into the spring? Will be ordering kit forthwith~ Thanks!

[@MountainParameters]

Thanks Freedom, The material turns into dust if you agitate or torque it too much. Since doing the video I've found that packing the material using forceps is a bit better than tweezers because the points are not as sharp. I've also been able to try a variety of heads, zippo, peacock, chinese large, and chinese small. In some of them there are small retainer tabs that need to be straightened prior to the insertion of the springs. Once that is done, the springs seem to work well in all of them. I'll be posting pictures of them when I update the catalyst section of the website.

[@anthonymarino4260]

thanks for sharing

[@thomasdgillespie477]

I’ve tried using a chuck of plain white fiberglass insulation and stuffed my spring with it and the tan little open toed sock material over the spring. It just would not stay “lit” so to speak.

[@MountainParameters]

You need to use platinum catalyst.

[@muhammetzengin717]

What can I use if can't find anything like platinum catalyst pad?

[@MountainParameters]

You have to use a pad with a substrate of material that will have an exothermic reaction with hydrocarbon fumes. Platinum is one of the best, but there are others. This topic is covered more on our website.

[@2010stoof]

I see you're using the better "old style" of catalytic burner. Sadly now even the Zippo replacements look closer to the open style and the chinese one you showed in this photo. I'm curious if the Zippo replacements have better catalyst in them. I've read mixed reviews. Can you do a new video showing the modern Zippo replacements and how they attack up and also rebuilding them?

[@MountainParameters]

I was unaware that the Zippo's presently being sold are different than previous models. If the catalyst is from China, then it probably does not contain any platinum.

[@chemistryscuriosities]

Where can I get the better catalyst like yours?

[@MountainParameters]

Order form links are above.

[@snifftube]

does the spring work better than just adding catalyst with the stock retainer?

[@MountainParameters]

You can place loose catalyst in the head and it will work fine - until it falls out or gets dislodged. That's where the spring adds the added security of holding the catalyst in place.

[@snifftube]

will the process of putting the catalyst in the spring damage the catalyst?

[@MountainParameters]

The procedure outlined in the videos of using tweezers to insert the catalyst ensures that the catalyst does not get damaged when it is inserted into the spring.

[@MrT8T3R]

Do you make any for the large, Jon-e GI model handwarmer?

[@MountainParameters]

Just added springs for Jon-e to our order form: mparam.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/orderform2-handwarmer.html

[@jussa101]

hey there just wondering if you could include the link to purchase this from you

[@MountainParameters]

Sorry, here's a shortened version of a link . At the moment everything is sold out, hope to have some more catalyst and springs next week. The link will allow signup to a notification, then list members will get a head's up when items become available. chilp.it/95464c3

[@henryng3583]

i live in malaysia and these catalyst materials are very hard to find, will steel wool work?

[@MountainParameters]

Steel wool does not have an exothermic reaction, IE: it is not a catalyst.

[@MountainParameters]

@puppy dog Platinum catalyst.

[@michaelamerican1378]

I got a zippo hand warmer from Walmart a week ago and I've only been able to get it to light once. I've been on the website and trying to setup a PayPal

[@michaelamerican1378]

Springs have arrived