I use 3M Safety walk tape. This is very stick grey rubber grip tape that removes cleanly and completely when done.
Tear off a couple pieces and wrap one around the bezel and other around the head. This allows for much better grip.
Still not enough? … apply plastic-jawed pliers on top of the grip tape.
Don’t have plastic jawed pliers? Cut a piece of 0.032” sheet aluminum and bend it into a U shape, then wrap it around your light above the grip tape. Apply regular pliers on top of the sheet aluminum.
Apply muscles to unscrew.
Once open use a metal pick to remove the threadlocker from the threads.
Do mod, reassemble, remove grip tape.
I’ve generally found that this technique is sufficient to break most threadlocker used in lights. The only brand I’ve tried this doesn’t work on is Fenix. They seem to squeeze a whole tube of red threadlocker into their threads.
For lights where mechanical pressure does’t work you may need a blowtorch or oven to loosen the threadlocker. Then I’m guessing silicone or leather gloves to insulate the hot metal as you unscrew. I’ve never tried this method so do not know the best technique when applying heat.
I would not advise to dip it into water! I’d say that it is more risky than heating it with sun heat or even a lighter.
If there is any leak into the driver, it may result in damage when turning the flashlight ON.
Heat and force (vise, leather wraps) = YES; Hot water = NOT so much.
He only dips the bezel part. That’s my method also. First whole head of light to freezer to shrink. Then just quick dip of bezel to boiling water. Bezel expanses when rest of the head is still shrinken.
I also use the boiling water method but the parts are in a plastic bag when they are dipped in the water. I’m pretty sure jon_slider also uses this method.
So its done.Sofirn Sc32 reflowed with xhp50.2.Its a little pocket rocket.Interesting that the optic is fit with xhp as it was fit with the original sst40.And the size is pretty different.Shines brutally good.Hot on turbo after 15 seconds but its the smallest xhp50 torch i know about…Maybe any Eagletac model.But this is pretty small.10 cm…Nice model really small and bright.Now a hot rod.Sadly i dont know how to post pics here.Iam in the forest.And its briiight
I did my first spring bypass on a BLF Q8. The soldering isn’t the prettiest, but all of the joints are solid enough. I scraped some of the solder mask off the traces on the bottom board near the screw holes and soldered the bypass wires to those.
I definitely didn't even want to attempt it out of fear of failure (and ruining the light), but it came out pretty good. I had hit some bumps along the way like needing to make my own 1.5mm wires to extend the leads from the driver bc they wouldn't reach my reground 16mm mcpcb pads. I also had to use a centering ring i had luckily left over form a GT Micro mod.
A huge thank you to JonSlider for showing me the way on how to even get this light apart, and for leading me to the Amazing CRX mods on what the MCPCB needed to look like! Thank you Jon, and CRX too! My mcpcb doesn't look anywhere near as clean as theirs do, but I tried my best! the light works and the tint... well, a dedomed sm405 Nichia 519a, it looks amazing of course!