Chad Nichols SS Damascus Lights

[AardvarkSagus]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

Wow. I don't hang out here in the custom lights section all that often, just was drawn by the Damascus in the title, but Wow. That light is hands down one of, if not the most beautiful light I have ever laid eyes on. Amazing work!

 

[k13nz]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

What in the hell... i cant believe my eye... is this a light!? :thumbsup:
Fred please read your PM on marketplace... thanks...

 

[easilyled]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

I can't believe that I only stumbled on this today.
What beautiful material to work with and what amazing execution to do it justice.
I always wondered about a spiral design in the body or cell-tube.
It looks very avant-garde combined with the dimples.
You have to hand it to Fred, he constantly amazes with his ingenuity and originality.

 

[cmacclel]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

Awesome work as usual Fred. I have been searching for some Damascus for the past few weeks myself to play with

Did you heat treat it? Or just machine then etch?


Mac

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

Mac,

I was told that etching Damascus that is not heat treated will yield poor results--murky, muddy looking greys/blacks.

I did have the light heat treated before etching.

 

[taewoopa]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

I am Ti-Holic and also DamascusAddic .

This beautiful Damasteel stuff is still available ?

If so, I do want one .

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

Yes, I still have some of Chad Nichols SS Damascus. One bar that I've begun work on will ultimately yield two 18650 lights:

The material always looks bad when you start working with it--the machining creates streaks which eventually disappear as the light gets heat treated and etched.

And, I still have another bar, that I have not turned down yet, so eventually I should be able to make a couple more lights from that bar.

 

[GLOCK18]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

Any plans on making one to fit a 18650 battery.

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

Sorry, I must have spaced out--these two lights will use AW's 18650 battery. So, if I stay lucky, there should be enough material in the next bar to make two more 18650 lights, too.

 

[taewoopa]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

PM sent.

I know Damascus a little bit, because I am a Collector of Custom Knives and my favorite material is DamaSteel .

I wish I could have one , sometime very soon.

 

[jch79]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

Fred, this looks like an awesome "start"! :twothumbs

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

Douoble Trouble:

 

[AardvarkSagus]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 Light

I definitely agree. I can't wait to see continued pics.

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 & 18650 Lights

Added the fluting to the heads. These are almost ready to visit the heat treater and then I will etch, polish and add the final discs or dimples in the head.

This is a rendering of the design:

And this is what they actually look like at the moment:

 

[cmacclel]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 & 18650 Lights

Awesome Fred......I need to learn how to draw. How do you plan on re-indexing the head to add the dimples?

Mac

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 & 18650 Lights

Hi Mac,

I do the re-indexing by hand--it's pretty simple actually since the flute is already there. I just use the ball end from a Starret wiggler set and nestle that in the flute-a little jiggling and then it sits perfectly. Then I tighten the collet on the piece, with the indexer set to zero, remove the wiggler and install the cutting tool.

Speaking of drawing--how are you coming on sending me that CAD program? :devil:

 

[cmacclel]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 & 18650 Lights

Speaking of drawing--how are you coming on sending me that CAD program? :devil:

I thought you where coming to pick it up

Mac

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 & 18650 Lights

A little more work today, one of the lights, at least. Pretty time consuming doing these indexed machining jobs.

Today I removed some material from the tail end and defined the fins to give them a more aggressive and streamlined appearance. I will say that you wouldn't want the tail end of this light slammed into your face. :green: :devil:

 

[AardvarkSagus]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 & 18650 Lights

...ow!

Beautiful though.

 

[arewethereyetdad]

Re: Chad Nichols SS Damascus 17500 & 18650 Lights

Fred, those are just incredibly gorgeous, both the material and your shaping of it. The lights are already spectacular. Can't wait to see the end product!