FW3A mod thread. Post yours!

Just received the 219C purple version from Illumn. The finish is so beautiful. Perfect gift for the ladies! Here are some measurements:

At turbo using P26A cells with stock carclo and lens:
lumens: 2,180
CCT: 4105K
DUV: 0.0029
CRI: 91.0
R9: 56.4
Rf: 88
Rg: 96

At low output using P26A cells with stock carclo and lens:
lumens: 53
CCT: 3994K
DUV: 0.0033
CRI: 92.9
R9: 68.3
Rf: 88
Rg: 97

It is noticeably more green that the SST-20 4000K version at all levels. With just a slight bit of extra output, I don’t see any reason in buying the 219C version instead of the SST-20. I bought this just for testing since no one posted any test results on the 219C version thus far. Will not get any more 219C version lights unless the manufacturer can source the rosy 4070e bin 219Cs.

Was waiting on this report. Guess my LEDs will be replaced as I did the same on one of my Ti models :slight_smile:

Is the board glued? I took the bezel off mine and I don’t see any screws to hold it down.

The thermal paste creates a suction plus the wires are so short there is no slack in them. It’s not glued though.

Some changes on the FW3Cu and fun photographing it with stuff.

2 day patina, Georgia peach.

Clip & button etch. Was trying to go for an organic looking natural design to go with the copper.

Some metal finish applied called ‘brass black’ to darken patina.

After some carry time and frosted 10509 optics installed.

I really dig that textured button. Did you add a solder swirl on that button or did you chemically remove material?

TY. It’s all etched with a tiny bit of 800-1200 grit wet/dry work and a little polishing. If you do it in several layers you can create more depth and shadowing in the look of the design than there is.

Hand [mechanically] etched or acid etched? Great work!

Looks like acid/chemical to me

Ferric Chloride! TY! The clip is softer steel so it will etch quicker. I sealed the button off (underside) on some electrical tape and sealed the edge with fingernail polish so the tolerances for fit/use weren’t etched at all. I also left the bend and hole of the clip out of the FC other than a quick dip for color.

Not much of a Mod—- I changed out the XPL-1A to Samsung 4k —- Very nice tint now — Surprising the Lumintop Optic works well with these LEDs— Seems to be more Floody with less artifacts — I have the same LEDs in a S2+ with the 511 optic to compare

I also had to get rid of that shiny clip from the Vipon buy light — I bead blasted the Clip and Button (better) — I’m thinking about Blueing the clip but the button is aluminum so that’s a no go—- I like the Heated look also

It isn’t, it’s steel, if they didn’t change that. Otherwise TeeDubya couldn’t have etched it.

[quote=chops728]
Not much of a Mod—- I changed out the XPL-1A to Samsung 4k —- Very nice tint now — Surprising the Lumintop Optic works well with these LEDs— Seems to be more Floody with less artifacts — I have the same LEDs in a S2+ with the 511 optic to compare

I also had to get rid of that shiny clip from the Vipon buy light — I bead blasted the Clip and Button (better) — I’m thinking about Blueing the clip but the button is aluminum so that’s a no go—- I like the Heated look also


The button is stainless steel and can be colored with heat….so can the clip…

Ok good to know—- I just checked the clip is magnetic —- KawiBoy1428 what clip is that

The original black clip….bead blasted and heated with a oxy/acetylene torch….

question… I just got a fw3a from amazon, but it came with the plastic optic and no glass lens. I have some carclo optics, but I dont have the glass lenses… anyone know where we can get them? (23mm x 1.5mm ?)

Thanks!

I’ve ordered from here once before (but not this size specifically), they are plain glass lenses in tons of sizes:

And the other option is a slightly smaller, slightly thicker UCL lens with AR:

FlashlightLens.com - Your source for high quality glass and acrylic flashlight lenses. - Flashlightlens.com - Online Store (store is closed for order for a week or two)

The stock AR ones have a decent amount of tint shift but neither of the above ones should have that problem.

neal

I have a few spare stock lenses I could send you one…no charge… :wink:

Anyone have an extra rubber ring from their FW3A that they don’t plan on using? Looking to pick up an extra one or two. PM me.