Another Black 1D Mag Mod - Or, hey everybody, I've got a Woodie. It's Finished, beam shots are up

When I said Woodie, where did your mind go? Huh?

Mine went to the old cars with the wood on the sides - A Woodie, not a Woody.

I forgot the Song for the thread

I'm in this old style phase, where I want to create stuff that reminds me of the old hot rods and old cars of yesteryear. I love wood and I used to refinish old furniture as a hobby. I have wanted to make a Maglite with wood on the body, but it's only been a thought, since I know I don't have a wood lathe to turn one out.

I finally decided to try one with veneer. It's not like making one on a lathe, but it's the closest I will get and it might just be something others will want to try.

wo1

I started with a basic 1D Maglite.

wo2

The tail cap switch will have an abalone button. I think it will go with the wood on the body.

I bought a small piece of Burl Walnut from Joe Woodworker aka veneersupplies.com

wo3

I love the look of Burl, but it's hard to work with, especially when you want to roll it onto something like a flashlight, so I bought some Super Soft 2, which is a veneer softener. I did not buy a veneer knife, as I already was at my spending limit for this light. I probably should have bought one.

This is still a work in progress and I have managed to make a first attempt. So far, it's probably doable, but I have to learn some of the ins and outs of veneer yet. I cut my piece with a straight edge and an exacto knife, but I can see where the veneer knife would be better. I have also soaked it in the softener and tried to roll it onto the light body. Well, that will take some more thought and time. What I finally figured out was that I had to roll it tight enough to place it inside the body and let it form in there, so the two sides of the seam would lay down. If it's formed smaller than the OD you want, it can be opened up a hair and slid on.

wo4

I don't have a lot of photos of the process. You know how you get working on something and don't or can't stop to take photos, but I will develop a process and do a video of it, if anyone is interested... or even if they are not, LOL.

It's not ready to put on yet. Once the wood is soaked with the softener, it takes about 5 days for it to dry back out, so it will be a while till I can finish this mod. I plan on covering the body with epoxy, sliding on the burl and then covering the burl with epoxy and possibly using a plastic wrap to hold it in place, till it hardens. Then I can sand it smooth, give another coat and finish off with a clear coat acrylic.

Time will tell, - later gator.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Progress has been made. The burl is now applied to the light with 2 part epoxy and it will sit another 24 hours till I work on the outside. Sanding and finishing is next.

bon1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

zw1

Well, I've managed to do a little more. I coated the outside with Epoxy and after 24 hours, I sanded it all back down to mostly bare wood. Now I have sprayed Polyurethene finish on it. It's Satin Poly and I am trying to do it so that there will be texture to it. Hopefully it will grip a little that way. These are just the first three coats and it's probably going to be a week or longer before it's done. 72 hours till I touch it again and then the same process all over again.

zw2

Here's a couple of teasers of the whole light. I still have plenty to do and wood finish sometimes takes a long time to do it right, or to do it half right, LOL.

zw3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not much left to show. I used my normal Aluminum heat sink. Direct Drive. A deep reflector and an XM-L U2 1A led.

za1

za2

za3

I can say that this was the most challenging mod I have done. Trying to use wood veneer is harder than it looks. I wasted most of the sheet I had trying to do it. Never again, at least not with Walnut Burl. Probably never again at all, so this might just be a one of a kind.

I will do beam shots tonight.

OL, That is going to look so amazing I can’t wait to see it when it’s completed!!! Great work!!

Lightagra. :open_mouth:

Great idea!

Nice! Love the burl

Try West Marine epoxy with their Special Coating Hardener. The Special Coating Hardener forms a very smooth surface as it sets (hint, add a couple drops of silicone oil a.k.a. model race car shock oil to the mix… it helps break up any outgassing bubbles). BTW, that hardener is rather pricey.

I had a small piece (0.75 x 3 inch) of dashboard trim break on Der Mercedes. The dealer wanted $450 for it! I bought a few square inches of walnut burl for a buck, got a free sample pouch of stain, and used the West Marine stuff to coat it. Nobody can tell the difference.

Great Planes two part epoxy (30 minute) seems to work well. I have used it as a coating on many wood projects... and it's in my budget.

Updated OP with one photo. The burl is now epoxied on the body.

You certainly have a wonderful imagination O-L. That is half the reason I (almost) never miss your posts. The other half is the wonderful workmanship. Looking forward to hearing more about how this comes together. Keep it up :-)

I’ve got a woody…. :8)

Nice work. I have used this product in the past http://www.veneersupplies.com/products/Super-Soft-2-Veneer-Softener-Conditioner.html and unfortunately after 10 days my darling wife feels that it may stay soft permanently. Is my wife the problem or the product? Keep it up. Your flashlight work that is. Cheers.

All traces of the softener are gone after 4-5 days. See a doctor.

awesome look

New photos in the OP.

Dang your hide Justin!!! You gotta quit this. :slight_smile:

I just spent $*&*^&^ !$$$$$$$ On a new lathe and what do you do!!! OK… you can’t put this up for sal for at least two weeks!!! I gotta RECOVER!!!.

BEAUTIFUL!!! Dan.

Finally done! It takes a lot of time to finish wood. Each coat sat for 3 days before going to the next.

Photos in the bottom of the OP.

I will do beam shots tonight. I am hoping it will be a little bit of a thrower, but time will tell.

This came out pretty good.

Of all things I figured you would have cut the body up and drilled out a wooden dowel rod
and press fit it all together.

Old-Lumens. That light looks orsm. The veneer, polished bezel and tailcap really set it of. Thanks for sharing.

ISO 100, Daylight WB, F:2.7, 1 Second

w1

ISO 100, Daylight WB, F:2.7, 1 Second

w2

ISO 100, Daylight WB, F:2.7, 1 Second

w3

ISO 100, Daylight WB, F:2.7, 2 Seconds

w4

It throws fairly well and it's very bright. I thinl some of that is DD with the resistance mods.

I have been looking for a good smooth reflector for my mags, especially one that would work well with a 20mm star. Mind sharing your source? is it this one perhaps…

http://www.fasttech.com/products/1617/10001275/1208513-plastic-smooth-reflector-for-cree-xr-e-emitters