Solarforce B6 Bezel. Pics, New vs. Old

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

Took a few photos…

Here is the link to the item, I am talking about.

AFAIK the original SS bezel ring was a flush fit with the body’s head and somebody noted Solarforce for improving it.

This is the advanced version, where bezel also protects head from front impacts.

From left to right:

BLF A8, B6 bezel-OLD, B6 bezel NEW.

Front: stock L2 2011 bezel ring, that also has changed.

Those small dents are made, so that you can easily open a tight one with about 1” piece of square metal.

NOTICE: New aluminum model has 5 dents, since it has odd number, it cannot be opened with such simple tool :frowning:

You may also notice, that the A8 has ridiculously deep bezel ring, which makes spill narrower. I personally take it as a con.

OLD vs. NEW

Just look at that difference in finish!

Old is just machined, not treated. New one is crome plated or polished. It is also smoother on the edges.

Better finish was a surprise for me.

It has been a while since last time I bought B6…

Another close-up:

I’m sure I will have to update my older model to my EDC L2 8)

2

I just bought a B6 for my L2N and it doesn't fit that well and won't screw all the way down, don't think it's the new version.

3

If you can spot the traces of machining, it should be the old one.
New one has very smooth finish.

Strange, my L2 arrived just days ago with “new” B6.
I have no idea, how long these polished ones have been on the shelf.

4

I suspect the new B6 bezel is polished, not chromed. I tried polishing mine with some cheapo metal polish that was not chrome compatible, and it worked fine.

5

I have a flush bezel, from eBay. Don't think it's authentic old one despite laser engraving of 'solarforce.hk'

Machining quality was very average at best. I had to remove burrs on the semi-circular indents with a dremel.

I had two, on one I used a sanding drum that was far too heavy grain. Whoops.

The next one I just wire brushed and the burrs cleaned up nicely.

Then polished both with a cloth wheel.

Pics below.

Heavy grain sand drum -> wire brush -> polish wheel. Since it's my tacticool L2T, I don't mind the brushed finish.

Wire brush -> polish wheel. Much cleaner.

My already super-scratched B6. Just buffed it after this photo was taken.


6

Ramblings:
What dealer sold you that bezel at eBay?

I would say it is genuine, looks just like original ones from SF-sales.
Machining on those really was not top notch on my two samples. Those indents were not even the same size and it was clearly noticeable by eye.

Too bad I have no reference to compare with to my new one. Actually not mine, this will be given away to friend of mine…

7

I bought it from a store under the name 'ampletex' - product link here.

If it is genuine, it must really be way before they began to have spotless machining.

Note: How the bezel in the picture actually differs from the picture in that the thread go all the way up to the rim and the bezel is completely flush with the flashlight head.

8

I’m looking at the P1 Solarforce host due to its weight, but have no idea where to get a genuine one? About the only seller I dug up so far is the one you used ‘ampletex’. Is there another seller I should look at?