“Hardcoat finishes are typically darker in appearance than standard anodizing depending on the coating, thickness and alloy. A variety of colors are available on thinner coatings. Heavier coatings can be dyed black and some darker shades of color.”
Military spec Type III Hardcoat is always in the thick anodize and this is always black. I did a lot of research on anodizing when I did some of my own parts and the explanation I gleaned had to do with the size of the honeycomb shaped tubes in the anodize layer and the drop size of the dye itself. Black is the smallest drop size, colors are larger drop size and won’t fit in the anodize tube on true military spec type III hard coat. The site that explained all this stated quite clearly that if it’s color it’s not milspec typeIII.
I’m assuming, Scott, as Dan is producing these in large part for LEO and Fire and Rescue teams. Seems like Mil Spec Type III is 43microns thick or more? Not sure about that, me and memory regarding numbers can be a tricky thing.
I know that the Eagle Eye X6 has a remarkable finish on it, putting one of these in the lathe and cutting through the ano with a carbide bit produces smoke for a bit before it finally gives, you can hear the hard coat resisting the carbide in a scratching screeching protest.
That made me wonder how hard anodised aluminium - aluminium oxide, also known as corundum - actually is.
I’ve just discovered that various carbides are similarly hard to or only slightly harder than corundum (Wikipedia ). Wow. No wonder a carbide bit has to work at cutting the stuff.
On a related note, silicon carbide is also known as carborundum, which is close enough to corundum to do my head in when trying to remember which is which…
We do a black black black. My guy tells me he can to a darkish gray in HA III but he explains as well that it is not as hard as it should be. The honeycomb that Dale explains seems to be correct from what I have experienced. I used to do my own anodizing but it is just too much of a process to suit me. Goes on forever!!! Wash, rinse, wash, de-smut, rinse…. GEEEEZE! I gave my entire setup to a gent that needed work. He did my work for years until he retired from it all. I miss that guy!
Thanks KawiBoy for the link. I’ll give it a look. Much appreciated.
She is gorgeous…that’s for sure but it takes so many amps to drive it to a decent output. That perfectly round die is fantastic though. I’ve never built a SBT-70 light…is it a 3v or 6v led?
I put it in an early Sinner Ti 18650. Used a Qlite with 4 extra chips and Biscotti firmware. It’s a 3V emitter. Everybody thinks that because it’s so large it’s a 6V but it’s not, just 3V and with a low Vf at that.
Pulled the Qlite and built an A17DD-S08 utilizing the same ATTiny13A and with a PSMN 1R5-25Y FET, it now does 2 lumens on moon and 1256 on high. Pulls 11.75A from a 30Q. Couldn’t resist.
Gonna have to look at things for my full copper light from TL…
Wow, the machining on this host is exquisite!! If you didn’t know there was an actual tailcap on the light, you’d never think to unscrew it as there is no separation line between the body and tailcap. Thank you for the great host! I also purchased the copper triple shell to go with it…built a triple XP-L2 5000k with it.
Thanks for the images DJ…. but you broke it!!! You have been around Dale too long! ….OR… he has been aroung you too long. Get a light and scrap that rascal! Ha! Glad it got there… nice looking triple in that last shot.
FOR THOSE STILL WAITING…. :person_facepalming: We are pumping the orders out as fast as we can and making some headway. The shop hasn’t ran less than 14 hours a day since the site launch except for one day that we were out of power for about half a day.
We appreciate the patience….Sorry we are using so much of it!!! This WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!!! Many Thanks. TL
That’s a nice looking Triple—— I’m patiently awaiting my 2 host
We spoke the other day —— you are a complete gentleman—- your success is well deserved
I’ve been thinking about that stainless Bezel I mentioned —- we need some options on those—- 16 hrs a day is doable—-LOL
I’ll see if he has some more…I did order extra drop ins. What mcpcb do you use?
