this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2025
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What is this thing?
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It's definitely a motor brush.
I've never seen a piezoelectric igniter that looks anything like what OP posted. Just to be clear, you're talking about these that are in most lighters, right?
Image of piezoelectric igniter
Yep. Here's an example.
Yes. There's one variant that looks more similar to Ops picture, but I haven't seen it around in ages. But the wire inside the spring is more indicative if a motor brush.