Does anyone have one of those torch lighters that you put a regular disposable lighter in? Does it work as advertised? I only ask as I'm leaving for Iraq again in a few weeks, and that means more TSA luggage screens and possible lost lighters. There is one sold by REI that I'm debating buying, just not completely sure it's worth it over about half a dozen Ronsons and taking my chances with TSA.

Can't you put them in your checked baggage if they are empty?

Technically, no. I do have these little yellow cases that will hold a Jetlite, but I have never used them. They have some TSA regulation reference printed on them, but the problem is that for Customs we have the US Navy. They play by different rules (supposedly the same). Plus, I'm curious if those lighters really work, and how long they last.

I used to have one of these:

http://www.frys.com/product/4039552 

Worked great until I accidentally stepped on it and crushed it.

Came with a refillable cartridge and ran on the scripto shaped lighters. Once in awhile you get a lighter that wouldn't burn high enough, so you would have to move the adjustment wheel to max, then pot the metal shield off, lift up the adjuster lever and move it back towards low without disturbing the wheel, basically gaining yourself another 1/4 to 1/3 turn towards full/high.

BICs would not fit in the housing.

Go to Lowes in the plumbing section. They have a soldering torch for wetting copper pipes. It's called Micro-Jet by a company called Solder It. It looks like a yellow/orange hand warmer. It comes with a scripto lighter without the wheel. flint and spring, and is refillable. I've been using it for 6 months or so without any problems. $20.00 and worth every penny.