torch machining, new design

I’m hoping this is the best sub-category for machining. I’m working on a new design, thought I’d share a bit here. Will be an XPL-hi triple, fed by an 16340 running a Mtn Elec FET driver and my fav Bistro firmware.

The drawing alone takes a few hours, and then after some time at the lathe, about an hour of revisions.
The external dimensions are not finalized, I usually sort of design on the fly as I finalize the torch body on the lathe.

Then on to making chips

It’s taken me about three weeks to get to this point. Not a lot of free time to go to the shop where the tooling is located.
I’ll update this post as it goes along.
~D

Subscribed :wink:
One question only: why the use of 16340 and not 18350 battery? :wink:

Keep up the nice work!

simply because using the 16mm cell allows for thicker walls at the battery tube, so I can do more details like knurling/ grooving whatnot. I want to keep this torch at less than 1” (25.4mm) OD

I’ve got plenty of barn-burners based on 18350

Oh, nice :wink: I just asked because of runtimes and eventually “power” to the light that the Aspire 1100mAh could bring, but your focus is more on the machining and size !
Good work on this and I’ll look forward to the evolution! :+1:

Looks good DD. Looking forward to the next instalment. :beer:

Cool, I’ll be watching this build :sunglasses:

Just curious, how are you planning to retain the driver? No retaining ring was drawn.

Watching :+1:

Spit-gluing.

The driver will be staked into place, and ground path ensured with some solder joints.

A bit more time at the lathe today. This is just the tester body, to make sure my dimensions work as I expect them to.

Next step is to make the pill and hold-down for the switch.

edit
That last image was uploaded from my phone, and way too big. This is a better shot of the final products, for the torch internals.

Plus, I remade the bezel. The internal threading did not turn out well, will try a new technique. I need to run the insert in at a 30° angle, makes for cleaner threads.

I like seeing things made. Thanks for sharing. Good work.

really nice project, keep us updated. thanks for posting it.

Fairly close to done. Waiting on the driver to come in from MtnElec, and still need to finalize the outside details. I feel the tail needs some refining.

Testing fit of the retaining ring

The tail view

The bezel view. Trying out a new optic.

That’s a pretty light sir!!! :open_mouth:
Waiting to see how it will perform :wink: Good work!

Cool! Looks like it’ll have an elliptical beam. :disguised_face:

The beam should be pretty standard for a triple optic. Only difference is that this has a ‘louver’ design for a more even throw. If I don’t like it, would be a simple matter of swapping out to a different optic.

I’m cutting into the C954 now, the head is complete, save for whatever external design I decide to add.