DIY 2-prong doodad for tightening switch and pill nuts?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

My chinese 18650 lights always seem to have loose nuts that secure the switch and pill in the body. I usually use something like a nail or tip of a ballpoint pin to tighten it, but doesn’t take long for me to notice it is loose again.

Is there a little DIY tool I can make?

2

Try snap ring pliers.

3

+1

4

Don’t waste your time with these circlip pliers, they can fall apart from torque force (as mine did). I filed down a small pair of pliers (left) to adjust the retaining rings in my Convoy S5:

5

I use tweezers for the tiny ones, fine tip needle nose pliers for most others. I got some pliers on sale at Harbor Freight for $1.29. Look through the stock, there's a range of tip fineness.

http://intl-outdoor.com/stainless-steel-straight-tweezers-p-297.html

6

If you have some nails and elastic bands lying around these work really well.

7

Budget win goes to Scotland. Who'da thunk?

8

Yeah he did ask if he could make something, DIY like… :slight_smile:

9

After I wrecked a driver using pointy nose pliers to remove a pill, to much grunt and not enough grip :zipper_mouth_face:
I saw these at the local h/w store for $8, now bring on the stubborn threads J)

Sometimes its cheaper to get the right tool for the job.

Cheers David

10

I have used Needle Nosed pliers for this for a long time.

There are a variety of sources and prices.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shop-Tek-30327-4-1-2-Mini-Needle-Nose-Pliers/21618889?adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=19880599990&veh=sem

http://www.skygeek.com/general-tools-905-long-needle-nose-pliers.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_content=general-tools-905-long-needle-nose-pliers&utm_campaign=froogle&gclid=CObhy5ml37kCFUdo7AodMFYAcw

http://www.zorotools.com/g/00057722/k-G2544071?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&kw={keyword}&gclid=CNTeuI-l37kCFevm7Aodv2cAGQ

http://www.homedepot.com/p/STANLEY-5-in-Needle-Nose-Pliers-84-096/203901935?cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-203901935&skwcid&kwd=&ci_sku=203901935&ci_kw=&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969

http://www.daleproaudio.com/p-6677-xcelite-nn7776v-6-long-needle-nose-pliers-serrated-jaws-green-grips.aspx?gclid=CMjGsoCl37kCFRFp7AodAjcA9Q

11

I use Knipex 44 11 J2

Not the cheapest though, mine cost me just under $40 I think. I like to buy high quality tools though 8)

12

There are a few threads on this topic - this is one of the newer ones.

I just use tweezers.

For some reason I never avoid being “bitten” (wounded) by needle nose pliers?

This morning I saw this purpose-built tool for $6.28 on Banggood.

I am wary of cheap hand tools, but tossed this in the basket anyway. We will see.