Thanks for the info Kawiboy. Btw, as per your suggestion, I added a bunch of no-oxid grease in the switch. Much quieter now (though perhaps a bit sluggish). I added extra kapton tape after a bit to prevent grease from getting in the switch. Good idea on the grease. Makes it much more enjoyable to use.
I only hope to add to this thread, not take away from the custom diffusers.
Both the Felix AOD-S and NiteCore NDF25 diffusers fit very, very snugly on the FW3A. They are very useful with candle mode. Of the two, I prefer the AOD-S, as it can be used either tail standing or diffuser down.
Today I got a third diffuser and tried it (with no problems) on the highest candle mode for a half-hour.
The diffuser is a foldable lantern from Towild. It is supposed to be made from food grade silicone. It is slated to fit 25 to 30mm diameter flashlight heads.
In normal use the diffuser did not fall off of my FW3A. It can be used tail or diffuser standing, and in a few depths / steps in either stance.
I saved a little money by getting it from the Aplustore on Amazon. Search, “Diffuser Tip for LED” if interested.
Another set of leds installed in another FW3A. I have been looking for the perfect tint with some real output when needed. The 219b’s are about perfect but the output is lacking and she gets really warm. I got in on BlueSwordM’s group buy for SST-20 FD2 4000k leds. I had the stock FW3A with the 4000k SST-20’s and a stock D4V2 with SST-20’s, the D4V2 looks just sickly green and the FW3A looked pretty darn good. This weekend I got the time to swap in a set of FD2’s and they look great and as an added bonus it appears to me that the early stock SST-20’s used this same led! I think someone else somewhere reported the same thought, I would concur 100%.
Now, there may be some better bins of SST-20 4000k, but the question is… will mere mortals ever see those bins? I would still like to get ahold of 3 of the rosey LH351D hi cri leds, but not sure that will happen either.
I received the two FW3A, standard dark gray aluminum and the copper. The copper is drop dead gorgeous! The finish is very shiny, almost mirror like. It is the most beautiful copper light I’ve seen yet. Below are my test results:
E07 SST-20 4000K FB4 tint bin for comparison: CCT: 3822K DUV: 0.0028 CRI: 93.7
R9: 76.5
Rf: 93
Rg: 101
The SST-20 4000k in the FW3A matches the FD2 tint bin. It looks much better than the widely used FB4 tint or 219C 90CRI and high output is almost as good as Cree 5A/5D tint.
Copper version with optic and glass removed on turbo. CCT: 4556K DUV: -0.0096 CRI: 95.2
Gray aluminum with optic and glass removed on turbo. CCT: 4404K DUV: -0.0109 CRI: 95.7
MF01S with optic and glass removed on turbo CCT: 4355K DUV: -0.0096
I have a feeling both of these are FD2 tint bin because from what TA said, there was an extremely limited number of FA3 tint bin on the market in the range of 1,000 pieces only. Fireflies said Luminus recently wanted to make some more FA3 tint bins so there should be more.
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.
Another set of leds installed in another FW3A. I have been looking for the perfect tint with some real output when needed. The 219b’s are about perfect but the output is lacking and she gets really warm. I got in on BlueSwordM’s group buy for SST-20 FD2 4000k leds. I had the stock FW3A with the 4000k SST-20’s and a stock D4V2 with SST-20’s, the D4V2 looks just sickly green and the FW3A looked pretty darn good. This weekend I got the time to swap in a set of FD2’s and they look great and as an added bonus it appears to me that the early stock SST-20’s used this same led! I think someone else somewhere reported the same thought, I would concur 100%.
Now, there may be some better bins of SST-20 4000k, but the question is… will mere mortals ever see those bins? I would still like to get ahold of 3 of the rosey LH351D hi cri leds, but not sure that will happen either.
Is the board glued? I took the bezel off mine and I don’t see any screws to hold it down.
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!
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
[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…
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 ?)
That is a beautiful clip?!
Thanks for the info Kawiboy. Btw, as per your suggestion, I added a bunch of no-oxid grease in the switch. Much quieter now (though perhaps a bit sluggish). I added extra kapton tape after a bit to prevent grease from getting in the switch. Good idea on the grease. Makes it much more enjoyable to use.
That clip is freakin’ gorgeous! Also I think I may attempt the flush button mod.
Post #1000!
(at the moment)
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Yoink!
How to Post Images on BLF // Many knives for sale (USA only)
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"America has three cities, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland."- Tennessee Williams
Congrats on post 1000 BOOSTED!
RIP SPC Joey Riley, KIA 11/24/14. Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
Thank you very much sir!
Just hope no one gets their post deleted now lol.
"America has three cities, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland."- Tennessee Williams
Oh whale.
"America has three cities, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland."- Tennessee Williams
fame is flitting?
Today I got a third diffuser and tried it (with no problems) on the highest candle mode for a half-hour.
The diffuser is a foldable lantern from Towild. It is supposed to be made from food grade silicone. It is slated to fit 25 to 30mm diameter flashlight heads.
In normal use the diffuser did not fall off of my FW3A. It can be used tail or diffuser standing, and in a few depths / steps in either stance.
I saved a little money by getting it from the Aplustore on Amazon. Search, “Diffuser Tip for LED” if interested.
Enjoy the light show - LedTed
Here’s a link to the TOWILD diffuser on Amazon.
I have been using a spraypaint cap sat upside down on my tailstanding FW3A as a diffuser for candle mode. They come in LOTS of colors.
xD and you got it back!
Edit: That diffuser looks cool.
Another set of leds installed in another FW3A. I have been looking for the perfect tint with some real output when needed. The 219b’s are about perfect but the output is lacking and she gets really warm. I got in on BlueSwordM’s group buy for SST-20 FD2 4000k leds. I had the stock FW3A with the 4000k SST-20’s and a stock D4V2 with SST-20’s, the D4V2 looks just sickly green and the FW3A looked pretty darn good. This weekend I got the time to swap in a set of FD2’s and they look great and as an added bonus it appears to me that the early stock SST-20’s used this same led! I think someone else somewhere reported the same thought, I would concur 100%.
Now, there may be some better bins of SST-20 4000k, but the question is… will mere mortals ever see those bins? I would still like to get ahold of 3 of the rosey LH351D hi cri leds, but not sure that will happen either.
EDC rotation:
FW1A, LH351D 4000k (second favorite)
FW3A, LH351D 3500k
FW3A, SST20 FD2 4000k
FW3A, Nichia 4000k sw40 r9080 (favorite light!)
FW3A, Cree XP-L Hi 5A3
Emisar D4V2, SST20 4000k
S2+, XM-L2 T6 4C
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
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!
RIP SPC Joey Riley, KIA 11/24/14. Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
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…
KB1428 “Live Life WOT”
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….
KB1428 “Live Life WOT”
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!
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