Building my first custom flashlight.

pinkpanda3310 · 2019-02-14T00:51:57.000Z

I didn’t realise there was such a thing as a clumsy post but I’d say you must definitely feel comfortable with machining if you turn at those speeds. Any chance of a bit of video?

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-14T00:57:23.000Z

Yeah I’ll throw a chunk from the scrap bin in when I get a chance! Titanium is my favorite to turn, especially when using a toolpost grinder for high surface finish requirements. Mostly turning monel most of my life but now working in an aircraft facility so everything is aluminum, magnesium, and titanium with the exception of the turbine hot sides we have to drill and tap sometimes.

Cereal_killer · 2019-02-14T00:59:01.000Z

Looks really good! Great work using the P60 to keep intricate machining down for your first light!

For your next projects, I’ve got some really REALLY high quality reflectors I’d give you. I convert a lot of high-end lights into TIR optic lights and pull their reflectors. Nitecore, Fenix and other top-tier brands who really know how to make a great performing reflector. Up till now I just set them aside in a drawer cause I don’t have the tools or skills to turn lights from raw materials but if you or any of our other BLF machinists want them for projects I’d much rather give them to ya guys than see them sit in a drawer never to be used… PM me and I’ll send them out (this goes for anyone who’s capable of putting them to use)!

IPM = inches per minute but what’s DOC? Degrees off center is the first thing that pops into my head…
-clearly not a machinist

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-14T01:00:35.000Z

Girl in the shop today was scared/confused when I went to bore a 22mm by about 6” depth and I grabbed a 1/2 carbide boring bar and started wrapping the butt end with bicycle innertube and rubber bands. Spun it at 850 RPM and set the feed ripping. Mirror finish.

pinkpanda3310 · 2019-02-14T01:08:19.000Z

I’m gonna try remember that trick. Could’ve used it the other day.

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-14T01:11:04.000Z

CK, DOC is depth of cut, which means I am taking a total of .500 off the overall diameter, using grade 5 ceramics lets you do some crazy cuts. And yes one day I would like to machine a light using a reflector/TIR setup, but the whole getting the reflector lined up with the emitter and everything seems like something I will have to practice a few times. I have copper set aside for pills and some other exotic materials Ive hoarded. If I can ever forge a succesfull bar of mokume……….

MRsDNF · 2019-02-14T01:53:01.000Z

pinkpanda3310:

Cool :sunglasses: I like watching other people machine up lights :+1:

Me too.

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-14T01:55:07.000Z

You know, what really inspired me to finally make one was watching ya’lls entrys in the O-L buildoff. Ive got to get some practice in over the next year!

pinkpanda3310 · 2019-02-14T03:11:50.000Z

Great to hear you intend on entering the O-L comp Providing you’re able to solder a few wires I don’t think you’ll have any troubles. Just ask the forum about which driver/led etc… if you’re unsure. Helping is one of this forums strongest attributes

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-14T17:35:06.000Z

Did the taper turning today between centers, next up is the slotting and some crenulations on the head and tail once the bridgeport opens up from actual jobs.

Cereal_killer · 2019-02-14T20:08:08.000Z

Wow that’s looking nice! Great job sir.

moderator007 · 2019-02-14T20:10:07.000Z

Nice looking flashlight.
Interested in how this turns out.
Thanks for sharing.

Cereal_killer · 2019-02-14T20:17:19.000Z

So JYBW1A group buy? Lumintop you listening?

MascaratumB · 2019-02-14T21:07:14.000Z

Cereal_killer:

So JYBW1A group buy? Lumintop you listening?

Hum…that would be a long project to come out :smiling_imp:
Sofirn would make it faster

BTW, nice project!

pinkpanda3310 · 2019-02-14T21:10:51.000Z

Nice shape

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-14T22:00:05.000Z

I feel like I need to save my pennies for a really amazing P60 to go in this now

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-14T22:19:42.000Z

Im really hoping these deep thick fins and the mass of aluminum will really heat sink well, I’ll copper wrap whatever dropin goes in it and maybe some thermal paste? Ya’ll think a stock Streamlight Polytac tailswitch will be able to handle the amps of a real quality dropin? The original light ran on 2 CR123’s and I tried to mod it for an 18650 but there wasnt enough wall thickness in the sleeve to bore it further. I also recently bored my ASP Triad CR for work to accept 18650 and replaced the silly foam grip with knurled aluminum.

pinkpanda3310 · 2019-02-15T01:47:43.000Z

So you’ve already done 1-2 modifications on lights, nice

Sorry I don’t know much about streamlight so can’t help with your switch question.

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-15T16:21:44.000Z

So no work on the host today, but Ive started some thinking on what I want to build for my first true custom scratch built light, however I have a feeling its gonna require some pricy custom driver work. Thinking a rectangular light, with 2 emitter arrangments. 2 18650 cells, and a carrying handle that can clip on and off using a picantinny rail (also be weapon mountable). The 2 emitter arrangements Im thinking is something akin to a Emisar D4 head and a D1 head over and under with a 3 button setup. One button turns on the thrower and cycles it through modes/ramps. The bottom button same for the floody head, and between the 2 some kind of rocker switch for digital zoom? Blend the thrower and flood back and forth for a balanced beam I guess. Seems like the answer to everyones differnt wants? BTW I chose Emisar as examples because of their size/outputs. I feel like those 2 lights could be incorporated into one small size rectangular package with great output. Heat dissapation in the killer here though. Ive often looked at my D4 and considered machining a new host for it that lets it run too its full potential but then realize if Im going to size it up at all I may as well just get the D4S. I also have my old Streamlight LED Survivor from my firefighting days that has been through hell and back. Exploded the rechargable pack in it at one point due to heat but I got it cleaned out and using the AA backup pack its working again. Kinda want to do something with it one of these days to give it a new life.

junkyardbiker · 2019-02-15T22:18:59.000Z

Heres my Survivor light, carried it for 4 years. Its truly a survivor, multiple Bravo calls, split the plastic lens bezel at one point so the reflector is full of artifacts now. The recharable nicad pack exploded when it snagged and fell off my turnout gear and laid in a burning space for about 2 hours before someone found it afterwards. Soaked it in rubbing alcohol to remove the battery residue and tossed in the backup AA pack and it still works. The plastic is only slightly warped, just enough to make it difficult to slide the pack in and out but its retired and stays home now anyways. Got issued a new one. Ive thought of making a new host for its guts but at the same time its a survivor just the way it is. As far as modding flashlights goes Ive also dedomed my Sofirn C8F, the original 18650 with side switch one. and I did manage to do my own spring bypasses on my BLF A6. Minor stuff but its a start!