The Indian Princess

[PhotonFanatic]

Every once in a while an oddball request comes along that I give in to.

This time, it was for a Ti AA light that had to have a McGizmo clip and have a multi-level driver. Simple enough, except that this guy wanted it within a month since he was heading to India to attend a wedding. For some reason, I said, "Sure, I'll do it." Perhaps it was his line that he didn't have any design in mind, so he'd leave that up to me.

As anyone who knows India even vaguely will attest, it is easy to see visions of gemstones, majestic buildings, and women dressed brightly and well endowed with gold and jewels. Aren't they all Indian Princesses? (Believe me I intend nothing derogatory by that comment, and if, perchance, I've offended anyone, I apologize in advance.)

Somehow, it all came together in time and this will be in the mail tomorrow to the world-traveller:




The obligatory Ti Clip.


A sparkling Khatod stippled reflector is installed.



Since the Princess is a twisty, that left room in the tailcap for a Tritium sphere! Why not?



When the angle is just right, the light sparkles off the dimples, a cheap version of bedazzling jewels.

I'm definitely expecting a photo of the Indian Princess at the Taj Mahal before too long.

My bad--I forgot to mention that Chip Valtakis was the anodizer that made this possible--especially within the time frame expected. Actually, I was intending to do a thread on how it was built, which would show the various stages of the light, including the anodizing as it came back from Chip. Maybe later. In the meantime, here are shots of the light as it came from Chip:

[TranquillityBase]

Sweet!!!

MJ driver?

[PhotonFanatic]

Thanks, TB. Yes, it is a driver by Mike Jordan.

[TranquillityBase]

You are the dimple master Fred

I'm confident the world traveller will be very pleased.

[wvaltakis2]

You are the dimple master Fred

I believe I coined a new word when I first unwrapped this for anodizing...

I had to tell Fred that the pictures could not even come close to expressing the sheer "dimplicity" of this light.

In case anyone is wondering, there is over 200 dimples (over half of which had to be filled/masked and selectively anodized!)

Glad everything turned out well, I hope the end user is as pleased with it as we both are. Thanks again Fred for giving me the opportunity to work on some truly amazing pieces.

~Chip

[bf1]

Great job!

One of the Big 3 auto makers are going to request one for their mates; as soon as they get off their Learjets.

[matrixshaman]

Double Wow! Very nice! Exotic even

[griff]

Phread, Do you have Golf ball nightmares??
That is another in a long line of beautiflly hand crafted,brilliantly excuted
desgine. From the photos it's nothing short of stunning. You continue to blend art ,electronics and raw materials into a perfection of tchotchkes.

[PhotonFanatic]

Phread, Do you have Golf ball nightmares??
That is another in a long line of beautiflly hand crafted,brilliantly excuted
desgine. From the photos it's nothing short of stunning. You continue to blend art ,electronics and raw materials into a perfection of tchotchkes.

Are you commissioning a golf ball light?

[griff]

Are you commissioning a golf ball light?

after the mondrian

[MorpheusT1]

I am speachless!!


That is a beutiful light Fred.
What kind of size is that Sphere in the behind?


Regards,
Benny

[PhotonFanatic]

I think it is an 11mm Ice Blue Trit sphere, or was it an 11mm Blue Sapphire cabochon? I can't remember.

[PhotonFanatic]

after the mondrian

Yeah, yeah -- I know -- I've been bad.

The funny thing is that I really want to get to that, but if I thought 200 dimples took a lot of time, the Mondrian will be at least twice as much work and tie up the lathe for at least a couple of days. And then it has to be repeated later.

[jch79]

Royally cool.

Fred, if the Indian Princess looks HALF as good in person as it does in these photos, that's going to be one happy traveler!

This light is... perfect. I cannot say enough about how happy I am with it, and how grateful I am for all the work that was done, especially in such a short period of time. And it's going to get USED (but not abused - after all, it is a princess!).

A Taj picture with the Princess... I like the sound of that.

john

Ps -

[jch79]

And of course, thanks thank THANKS to Chip for his stunning anodizing job - what precision!
john

[maxspeeds]

Fred & Chip, awesome work! Words cannot describe my thoughts. The colors and dimples are simply amazing!

[Tink]

I think it is an 11mm Ice Blue Trit sphere, or was it an 11mm Blue Sapphire cabochon? I can't remember.

You are class all the way, Fred. If Lucy were here (yet) I wouldn't dare say this, but that is the most beautiful light I have ever seen. Spectacular doesn't even begin to cover it.

You're amazing, sir, nothing less than amazing.

[Tink]

Phread, Do you have Golf ball nightmares??
That is another in a long line of beautiflly hand crafted,brilliantly excuted
desgine. From the photos it's nothing short of stunning. You continue to blend art ,electronics and raw materials into a perfection of tchotchkes.

I guess when one hangs around the 'net long enough, one will see everything at least once. Not too long ago we had a little cultural discussion about the spelling of 'fuchsia.' That took me by surprise, but you have taken the crown hands down with (the correct spelling of) tchotchkes. Congratulations!
I bow to your superior skills.

[LED_Thrift]

I've never seen a light that beautiful. It is jewlery - possibly the most functional jewlery ever.
It's the poster child for eye candy. You done good.

[chipwillis]

That is so cool, nice job.

[Burgess]

Wow ! ! !


Stunningly Beautiful !



And great photography, also !




_

[ICUDoc]

Your best work ever. I'd know.

[Stillphoto]

Beautiful work from both of you. I really love the multi-color dimples. The dimples around the front really add a "port hole" type of look that is really cool.

My jaw dropped when I saw that you put a trit sphere in the aft end. Bravo! Just a big, glowing dome...hmmm I think you've inspired another build. It will be called Halfdome. The rest is up to you PF!

[aljsk8]

WOW WOW WOW

i love how although there is a theme to your work (dimples grooves slots)
every peice is different

i need to save up for a new light from you

outstanding work

does MJ do a multilevel driver for AA?
how many levels? whats the max and min output current

also i take it is a nice warm seoul?

Alex

[HanzoTheFlashlight]

What everybody else said! WOW!

That is a very nice piece. Highly appropriate for the event and place

[PhotonFanatic]

WOW WOW WOW

. . .

does MJ do a multilevel driver for AA?
how many levels? whats the max and min output current

also i take it is a nice warm seoul?

Alex

Hi Alex,

Yes, MJ's driver has three levels, low, medium and high. It always comes on in low, just twist again to go up a level. As I recall, the output levels go from 30 to 600mA, but I'd need to confirm that.

Yes, the Indian Princess has a U2SV0H P4 inside.

[cnw4002]

Were you been eating magic mushrooms when you designed that?

[wvaltakis2]

And of course, thanks thank THANKS to Chip for his stunning anodizing job - what precision!
john

You are very welcome! Definitely the most masking that I've had to do on a single light so far. But I'm sure the Fred has ideas in the works to change that... (Can't wait to get started on the Mondrian)

Be sure to let us know what you think once you get it and get the full effect in person.

~Chip

[ARC mania]

Now, that is artwork! Beautiful!

ARC mania

[:)>]

Simply wonderful!