I have an older Surefire 6p that I bought 5 or 6 hrs ago and I am wanting to build a beast as my first DIY project. Can I get some suggestions on what/how? thanks guys.
I was wanting to maybe run a 18650 in it but I believe I will have to machine it just a bit to make it fit. Is this true?
On the 6p you will have to bore it to get an 18650 in it. This process is pretty straight forward with a drill press and a brake hone that can be had at any auto parts store. Just go easy as it doesnt take much to cut 1mm worth of aluminum away. Once you have it bored to fit an 18650 - go for the KD single mode XML u2 drop in that takes between 3 and 18V. With that you can run 18650s or CR123s without hurting the driver.
XM-L are just the ticket these days, they really not only wake up older lights - they'll virtually "blast the doors off most competitors" if properly driven (to stress automotive terms, again)
Both my genuine $urefire 6P and the magnificent Solarforce L2P have received XM-L T6 P60-dropins and are the brightest torches I have in my collection.
There's something about the solarforce dropins though that I cannot explain - to me and my buddies, they seem to be a tiny little tad brighter, AND a bit easier on the eyes at the same time. Weird, but great. I can highly recommend them.
Then again, I have used the manafont XM-L dropins, and cannot complain about those either, not-at-all... perfect dropins, although the ones from manafont are rated at 4.2V - perfect for 18650s, and very suitable for 3xAAA as well (though the latter surely isn't of any interest when it comes to a $urefire 6P that hasn't been bored out), but useless for 2xCR123A primaries or 2x16340 rec cells.
I found myself stuffing them XM-L's into about everything that won't fight back - even way-too-small, no-name cheapo 5mm-LED cluster giveaway lights. Compared to that, updating your 6P will be a cakewalk, really.
(p.s.: Already have a 14mm-based T6 and 1217 driver ready for my SolarForce T4 - look out for a new thread soon... !)
Enjoy!
Yea this old incandescent 6 p is about to get awakened.
I'm glad i don't have one ...But i'm sure in 6 years my nitecores will be pretty funny as well. i would bore it out ...it's just aluminum...fix it .