FW3A, a TLF/BLF EDC flashlight - SST-20 available, coupon codes public

[teacher]

@luckyeights

Even if you are to get it working with these instructions a reliable flashlight for every day use should not require constant adjusting especially new from the factory. Just by looking at how the inner tube is used for the switch and contacts with a bare contact point on the driver is cause for concern there is nothing pressing the driver into the tube like a spring to maintain proper contact from general wear. Simply unscrewing and re-screwing the head is going to wear that contact enough that it will not come into contact with the iner tube any more. If the tube was mounted on some sort of spring mechanism that compressed as you tightened it would be far more durable and robust. There is also no play, the head and tail tighten all the way down to the body so once it wears the only way you will be able to fix is to remove the driver retaining ring and driver and put a spacer in there behind the driver and reassemble. Tight tolerances as you say in this instance is bad, it invites unreliability which i do not want in a flashlight i rely on for daily use. If i pull a flashlight out of my pocket i expect it to turn on when i press the button consistently every time until the battery is dead.

If i have to mess with the tail cap and head all the time just to make it work it kind of defeats the purpose no ?

:person_facepalming: :person_facepalming:

It is not “if” you get it to work following the instructions. You will get it to work.

All due respect… the problem is not the FW3A, the problem is the man in your mirror…. you.

The light does not need redesigned according to your second guessing. The light is just fine as is.

So instead of moaning & groaning about the light, why don’t you just do what I & others have told you. Then yours light will work first time every time just like the rest of our lights do.

I have four (4) of them…. they all work first time every time. My four (4) are made exactly like yours, the only difference is you.

Complaining to Neal will not fix your lack of attention to this matter. Only you can “fix” that. Just do it & you will have a harmonious outcome that will beat complaining any day of the week……

EDIT: Again… follow these simple instructions step hy step & your FW3A’s will work just fine.

Many of us have had to do this with our FW3A’s, it is no big deal. Really, it’s not.
I did it to three (3) of mine…… once. No further issues after that. It only takes about a minute or two.