If I was to get a custom light made, how much would something like this cost me? With these specs
Overall shape like the light on the picture, besides the fact that the light in the picture is a slightly wider diameter than the body. I’d like the body to be the same diameter where the two meet, like a smooth transition, almost like the body was machined out of one piece of aluminum.
21700 protected cell
Wall thickness around 1/8"
Clicky switch rear tail almost flush with the tail. Tail slightly chamfered/at an angle, I don’t need it to be able to tail stand. Something like the tail of weltool t12
Rough grippy, Knurling on the body all the way from as close to the tail end to about 4" down, similar to the light on the picture, but with no smooth parts in between. No knurling or any other machining on the head.
Lens 4mm thick with ar coating
Good quality orings throughout. Preferably capable of ipx8. Dual o rings front and back. This includes keeping water out of the front part of the lens. I’m not sure what the best way to do this would be. Im open to suggestions.
Op reflector
Constant current driver
B35am,sst20, or similar 95 cri, 4000k led. No pink tint. Positive duv. I prefer yellowish, not pink.
Fully potted not just conformal coating , driver
Type 3 anodizing, any color is fine.
No pocket clip
I’ve seen people say that something like this would cost at least $1000 maybe more, but I don’t understand why. The vast majority of all these parts are less than $20 each besides aluminum. Why can’t this be done for $400?
I think custom building one of anything, even something as simple as a hamburger, would cost much more than you think. The main reason is the cost of labor.
If you can make a 3D Drawing, try something like JLCPCB, cheaper is probably not easy to find.
Try to make it as easy as possible to machine, of course.
The glass itself also will be not so easy to obtain. Maybe ask Kaidomain if they have a supplier for something like that.
Glass is not the problem at all I’ve already found several suppliers, reflector is a bigger issue.
The design is simple it’s the one in the picture I posted, I think it’s way simpler than the loop gear sk01
I don’t see what complicated about it
I can draw everything in detail I’ve taken engineering and architecture classes in college
What I need help with is figuring out how to keep everything ipx8 waterproof esp around the front lens, and making sure that the springs are giving the battery the right amount of pressure. I want a reliable light,no flickering
That’s about the going rate but be aware this is not a simple 2hr job…
It may not be that “complicated” to a back seat driver… everything should be simple right…? Yet, here you are getting stroppy because it’s not working to your expectations.
Can i make a suggestion. See your local college and ask if any students can take on the project. Or ask the local machine shop if they have an apprentice that needs the practice… alternatively ask those youtubers you mentioned.
Type III anodizing alone has a $180 lot fee or so.
Also the going rate of a usa machine shop is not $50 an hour anymore. Nor is a machine shop going to design and build a flashlight for you. Generally you approach a machine shop with a CAD file and a blueprint with tolerances on it, and ask for a quote.
If you go to someone and say “solve my problem,” expect the price to be sky high. It’s your problem, not theirs.
Have you considered acquiring a mini-lathe? You could make all the custom flashlights you want. Everyone will cheer for you.
“If you want a tool to be the centre of all manner of tinkering and mending, or for exercise that is gentle and cheap, or for calling the mind off from anxiety or hard thinking, or for healthful and artistic creations, I know of no instrument to be compared to the Lathe. It is easily kept in order, and the results are so quick, so varied, and so beautiful, that you never get tired of it.” Reverend John Todd (1870)
