I’m new to this excellent forum, so would appreciate some help from you knowledgeable dudes out there please.
I need to swap out the switch in the tail cap of one of my CR123 flashlights as it is duff, but I can’t find the “correct” tool anywhere that goes into the two small holes in the ring at the base of the end cap, that I then turn to extract the switch etc.
Any recommendations on best place for this tool and others related to this great hobby, thanks.
tabetha
Hi. All ilt takes is a good sharp pair of tweezers (the pointy ones sold at the drug store)
Tweezers are a good option. I prefer needle nose pliers when I work on my lights.
I find that small hemostats work great. You can really bring a great deal of pressure to bear because there’s a good amount to grip, plus it takes a lot to bend them because they’re some sturdy steel, maybe hardened.
I use snap ring pliers.
I’ve tried both, the most annoying thing is I had it apart around 2-3 months ago and thought I’d fixed it as it was ok afterwards, but can’t remember what I used, I obviously did it up way too tight though, I’ve got various pliers etc so will take one apart and shape the ends round on belt sander and try that.
I have seen tools that open out like the watch case openers but with 2 pins to suit the holes, but can’t find them anywhere.
I assume it is just a case of soldering a new switch on the board then all should be well, but thinking already of upgrading driver ha ha, it’s got to be done really hasn’t it!!
I love this modding lark, inexpensive(so far!!) as well, if she can have handbags I can have flashlights, saying that the last handbag she got was one that I one at a raffle ha ha!!
Thanks for input, very much appreciated
tabetha
+1
They’ll take a GREAT deal of force! I picked up a this set from Harbor Freight a while back with multiple heads… Can’t beat it.
I have some of the tweezers for really deep reach stuff, but I’ve bent the ends all up. (not that it matters much)
I have some round point needle pliers and some tweezers but this spanner looks promising:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260968598183?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&\_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Spanner-Wrench-Lens-Repair-Tool-Open-10-100mm-For-Sony-Canon-5D2-Nikon-D90-Lens-/00/s/NzQ0WDExMzU=/\$(KGrHqZ,!kwFBWHI2QoPBQbY,Rs-dw~~60_57.JPG
Your in England, snap ring pliers = circlip pliers.
The cheap sets with four different jaws are suitable for most lights, unless its a small light, I need to get some tweezers for those.
Machine mart is a good bet, but halfords will keep some if you fancy being ripped off.
If you need tools, traction rallies are the places to raid, but no more till spring. 
>>>>>I obviously did it up way too tight though,
I did the same thing to my keygos m10. I didn’t think it was too tight, now it will never come out. The next attempt will strip the detents right out of the pill. I have no idea how that thing got so wedged in there!
I use a pair of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-3-4-quarter-inch-needle-nose-pliers-40696.html
They work well for me, and are cheap...
Thanks for all the replies, I have lots of snap ring plier sets as a car nut as well, always fiddling with me sierra cossie.
I phoned a mate and he said to get some EN8 steel and make some, this is inexpensive and plenty strong enough for this.
I can’t use needle nosed pliers as the indents are simply too small, though that’s not going to stop me grinding a set down to try, then just put “mr sensible” head on when doing back up.
I have found what I’ve seen used before a watch case opener the ones I looked at go down to 10mm apart pins, and cost around £1.30 from begay.
Once apart I will measure up and drop a different driver in there, the light is a CR123 Ultrafire MCU-C7 using a cree Q5, wonder if I can get a P7 in there for 800+ lumens, that’s going to create a lot of heat to keep my hands warm as winter gets here.
tabetha
Skip the P7 and go straight to the XM-L! Or you could go with the hot new XP-G2 (even in neutral white) for longer runtime with similar beam pattern.
-Garry
Mmmmm.....Cosworth.
Pics, please !
+1 which one? Escort, sierra or sapphire?
I had a Scorpio cossie, built a manual box for it. That was a fun toy. :bigsmile:
If you have a few multimeters around, you can also use the end of the test leads. Stick one lead to a hole (doesn’t have to be both of them) and turn. Seems to work for me.
I've seen several parts bind on lights with lousy threads. Try heating the tail cap. Yes you may need a new rubber boot, but a little heat will work wonders. Also wd-40 works well for tapping aluminum and for getting threads to come loose when they are stuck.