I have several Niteye lights, a TF20 and a TF25. Recently, I got into a situation where I had a problem with the tailcap switch, and wanted/needed to remove a retaining ring at the end of the tailcap. Description of “the adventure” is in this thread:
Anyway, I got my problem fixed, by the vendor sending me a replacement tailcap, but I’ve still been thinking about how to remove that retaining ring.
In post #7 of that thread, there’re some pictures of the tailcap and retaining ring, and what I’m thinking of is getting two (or maybe four) small holes drilled into opposite sides of the rings, so that I could use a spanner wrench to remove the rings. The rings are, I believe, made out of stainless steel.
The width of the flat part of the rings are probably about 1/8”, but I don’t know if that’d be possible/feasible or not, without damaging the integrity or appearance of the light?
So I was wondering if someone who’s more knowledgeable about such things could tell me that?
And, also, if someone has the right equipment and experience (probably a drill press with a small drill bit and a vise), located in the U.S., and would be willing to do the drilling, could let me know approximately how much it’d cost to get this done?
I’m still not 100% sure if want to go through all of this, but I’d like to find out if it’s possible, at least.
So, does that ring pop on, or is it threaded on?
PosT 9 in your referenced thread explains it, but not really…. Did he unthread it with the vise grips or pop it off???
Frankly (being a machinist) if I want that off, I would Get it off somehow, clip be damned, and then replace it with an actual retaining type clip.
From the looks of it it seems to be made to flex a bit when pressed on and the finger-type ID protrusion would pop into place.
Tony
Drilling it isn't a problem. Stainless... and certainly the grade used in things like this isn't that bad to work. Like Justanotherguy asked... is it threaded?? I am sure you are correct as well about them having a special tool that fits that pattern.
I had to smile about.... "I would Get it off somehow, clip be damned"..... thats how I look at things in my shop... If I break it, I'll build a better one! Nice to know I'm not alone in the world!! Ha!
I’ve PM’ed dorpmuller, to ask him to answer whether it was threaded or not. FYI, during that situation, I was emailing with the vendor, and they were telling me to try to unscrew it, so I’ve been assuming that it is threaded, but dorpmuller will know for sure (albeit his was an Eye 25 vs. a TF20/TF25).
I hear you both re. getting it off regardless, but I guess from my perspective, it was a brand spanking new “shiny light”, and I really didn’t want to ding it all up the same day that I got it. Sorry, I may not have explained it. This was a new light, with a problem with the switch from day one, which I was trying to fix/resolve.
Assuming that it is threaded, any idea about how difficult to do this? Also, given the small width of the flat area of that ring, how big a hole could be put there (I know you don’t have dimensions, but, relatively)?
You speak of putting holes in it, to what end? They would help unscrew it, if threaded.
If its pressed on and the ‘fingers’ have snapped into a groove, what will the holes do then?
The clip isnt split, so you can’t use a snap ring pliers to spread it apart….
(The fingers I speak of are actually bisected by your oval’s lines in the second pic)….
Perhaps if you had access to a couple pretty fine screwdrivers you might pry it off……
IN the end, I would destroy it and make it better the second time ’round
Right Tex?
In my earlier email, I said “Assuming that it is threaded…”. Hopefully, dorpmuller will post whether or not it is. I wasn’t suggesting drilling some holes if it wasn’t threaded… only if it was threaded.
Yes sir. I don't do mods and I think this is why. Every light I make I start with a chunk of metal...well, most times several chunks. These folks doing the mods and taking lights apart are working hard! In ...my.... tiny opinion just building something is easier.
I have a great respect for guys like Jim that want to take something already built and change it for the better.
I AM GOING TO DO A MOD!!! I sent a P.M to Old-Lumens a week or so ago because I was thinking of modding a AA... I said... "I want to run it off of a CR123. His reply (politely) was "A CR123 won't fit in the tube" .... SEE.... I NEVER think about that because I build the danged thing!! Ha! DUMB AS DIRT! I'm going to do a mod though at some point... a shot or two of Makers Mark and it will look easier!! Blurry...but easier!! Ha! Thanks to all for the fun. ... "I would Get it off somehow, clip be damned" STILL gets me! I see a new sign coming for the shop! Dan.
Nice to know I'm not alone in the world!! Ha! 
.... SEE.... I NEVER think about that because I build the danged thing!! Ha! DUMB AS DIRT! 