new set screw tool for Mag D switch

[SmurfTacular]

Is there any update on this?

Does anyone know if this would work?


I haven't done much experimenting myself, but by the looks of it, it should be able to shim into the hole and unscrew the mag switch screw.

[jabe1]

Is there any update on this?

Does anyone know if this would work?


I haven't done much experimenting myself, but by the looks of it, it should be able to shim into the hole and unscrew the mag switch screw.

No, it has a shoulder when it changes from torx to hex. Th shaft can only be as large as the torx part. I have ground the shaft of a .08 torx and it works well now, I looked all over town for one that didn't need grinding first though.

[SmurfTacular]

Maglite has thoroughly disappointed me

[LuxLuthor]

@ LuxLuthor,

Wow, great read. This hole thing really torx me! We purchase more Mags and parts than anyone! I've turned a bunch of people onto modding, and they buy parts too. We are not the ones sending them back in for warranty or costing them anything!

It will just be more time before we have the tool, and modding will resume (it hasn't stopped me anyway, just an inconvenience).

I think what they resent is how we easily make their lights much better, and it's embarassing to them.

[nighttrails]

I think what they resent is how we easily make their lights much better, and it's embarassing to them.

It's surprising Maglite doesn't look at modders as their own no-cost R+D lab and implement a few of the best ideas.

[Alan B]

Data point. Just bought a new 4D Jade and it has hex screw.

One less problem to deal with now. Already converted it to PHD 5x IMR C cells driving 64623. 150 watts, not bad for a stock looking 4D.

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

Yeah, but isn't the Jade one a one-time only limited batch?

In other words: made in one batch a long time ago?

[Alan B]

Yeah, but isn't the Jade one a one-time only limited batch?

In other words: made in one batch a long time ago?

I don't really know, just thought it might be of some interest, probably is older as we expect new units to have the torx.

[joeparker54]

... I looked all over town for one that didn't need grinding first though.

I happened to notice you're in Cleveland - did you happen to check Production Tool Supply? When I need rare tools/bits PTS is where I usually find them. They have a website as well. I've never used it, however, since they're based out of SE Michigan and there's two stores less than 25 minutes from my house.

[jabe1]

I happened to notice you're in Cleveland - did you happen to check Production Tool Supply? When I need rare tools/bits PTS is where I usually find them. They have a website as well. I've never used it, however, since they're based out of SE Michigan and there's two stores less than 25 minutes from my house.

No, I kinda lost heart after a few places, so I just ground down a cheap one! Yeah, PTS does well, and not overpriced.

[PCC]

I just bought a 3D Rebel MagLED at Costco (2-pack with the Rebel Mini-Mag) and it has the Torx bit. I guess I'll take an L shaped Allen and grind it down to a flat blade screwdriver to take this one apart.

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

Is there already any confirmation on what Torx size the new screw is?

PB - Swiss Tools makes several Torx tools with T6/7/8 with a 2.5mm diameter lead (is that the right word for the long stick of metal connecting the bit with the handle?).

[PCC]

I tried a T-8 Torx bit that I have and tried it in the set screw and it's an ever so slightly loose fit. I don't have a T-9 (if one exists) but the T-10 that I have does not fit.

[TranquillityBase]

Fingertip Flag, or Fingertip T-handle (T-handle style not shown in the photo), should be the ticket.

T6 and T8 are depicted in the photo (PR13 bulb for size reference), and both are flag handled.

T6, red, has a 32mm long x 3mm diameter shaft.

T8, orange, has a 39mm long x 2.3mm diameter shaft.

McMaster sells both styles.

FWIW, these are simply Torx L-keys with an overcast plastic handle.



The shaft on this particular T8 is the same diameter as the tip of the tool.

[357mag1]

I tried a T-8 Torx bit that I have and tried it in the set screw and it's an ever so slightly loose fit. I don't have a T-9 (if one exists) but the T-10 that I have does not fit.

I tried a T9 and it definitely does not fit. My Waha T8 fits nice and snug.

Actually after playing with it for a minute I noticed the T8 Waha didn't fit as snug as I initially thought. Looking at the head with a magnifying glass I believe this is actually a Torx Plus fastener. Perhaps somebody with a Torx plus set could verify. Regular Torx drivers will work in a Torx plus fastener but the plus drivers won't fit in a regular Torx fastener.

[wquiles]

I know I am late to the new T8 Torx switch set screw party, but I recently took some pictures and I was asked to post them here:

D light cut open to figure out what the heck the set screw was:



Once I got the screw out, I filed down one of my hex screws to fit:



Here are the two screws:



and a close-up, where you can clearly see the new screw is a Torx screw:



And specifically, a T8 Torx screw:




EDIT: A 5/64" is 0.07813" and a 2mm is 0.07874", so either one works fine in the standard hex screw.

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

You actually cut open a brand new mag to figure out what screw was in there?

[SmurfTacular]

Wow great job Wquiles. You certainly did alot of research, and sacrificed a perfectly working Maglite.

[wquiles]

You actually cut open a brand new mag to figure out what screw was in there?

Yup. That shows my dedication to the hobby and attention to detail. Either that or it just provides further evidence that my brain does not work right/normal

[Bullet Bob]

[QUOTE=LuxLuthor;3411478]This is pretty funny. I cannot think of any reason for them to change the type of setscrew to a somewhat obscure torx type that they know most people's tool set won't fit...other than a lame attempt to foil people like us wanting to mod them. I never had the hex (Allen) type strip, and have tightened/loosened hundreds of them.

I think the issue is something else. On The High Road Forum ( mostly about guns) a poster had issues with several Mag lites all new that did not work. intermintent light and such and a used one that fell and quit working but was having issues as well before the fall.
I suggested that the issue might be the switch had come loose and that he tighten the switch. I explained how in detail.
Later the poster found that this was indeed the issue all along and the light works just fine now and he posted a great big Thank You.

Torx's were developed as the screws heads were failing before reaching the desired torque needed on aircraft screws is my understanding.
Torx and Torx Plus allowed the screws to be tightened without the tool walking out of the screw and destroying the head. This has been a widespread change in industries all over. I guess Mag Lite just finally got with the program.

[LuxLuthor]

Yup. That shows my dedication to the hobby and attention to detail. Either that or it just provides further evidence that my brain does not work right/normal

You actually cut open a brand new mag to figure out what screw was in there?

That was the first reaction I had as well....followed closely by sheer admiration at your inner geek in action 'needing to know.' See now because of your contribution, we all have absolute certainty with photos.

This is pretty funny. I cannot think of any reason for them to change the type of setscrew to a somewhat obscure torx type that they know most people's tool set won't fit...other than a lame attempt to foil people like us wanting to mod them. I never had the hex (Allen) type strip, and have tightened/loosened hundreds of them.

I think the issue is something else. On The High Road Forum ( mostly about guns) a poster had issues with several Mag lites all new that did not work. intermintent light and such and a used one that fell and quit working but was having issues as well before the fall.
I suggested that the issue might be the switch had come loose and that he tighten the switch. I explained how in detail.
Later the poster found that this was indeed the issue all along and the light works just fine now and he posted a great big Thank You.

Torx's were developed as the screws heads were failing before reaching the desired torque needed on aircraft screws is my understanding.
Torx and Torx Plus allowed the screws to be tightened without the tool walking out of the screw and destroying the head. This has been a widespread change in industries all over. I guess Mag Lite just finally got with the program.

Perhaps that is a more generous and accurate explanation. However, this scenario is why Maglite made the internal circular slot and retaining ring clip to block forward advancement, and punched/drilled an indented hole for the conical setscrew to fix into. If they had such a concern as you suggest, they could have put a dab of loctite on the threads.

I can only go by my own experience, and some of my mags have had the same switch assembly removed and tightened as many as 25-30 times without ever stripping the hex wrench threads. I have never had one come loose or lose contact with the aluminum wall.

Then there is all the negative historical baggage of how Maglite has aggressively sued so many as a regular business practice, the telephone conversations about this issue I described earlier, the complete lack of providing a torx key to customers when they knew full well that none of the torx wrenches people have would fit, none available for sale to anyone when asked...and upon being disconnected after the fundamental information was provided, the lady calling me back and quite rudely letting me know she had my name and number from caller ID, and wanted my Maglite serial number.

But, perhaps you are correct in your interpretation.

[357mag1]

It seems like they have stopped providing switches and repair parts and want you to ship a 15-30 dollar light to them for repair now. With today's shipping rates that make no sense.

[wquiles]

At least in the short term you can buy the switch assembly for "D" size lights online.. Here for lights with the "D" in the serial number - note photo still points to the old switch, not the new one, and that it includes the old style hex key!:
http://www.zbattery.com/D-Cell-Switc...category=97920


The same place no longer carries/shows the switch for lights without the "D" in the serial number.

[357mag1]

At least in the short term you can buy the switch assembly for "D" size lights online.. Here for lights with the "D" in the serial number - note photo still points to the old switch, not the new one, and that it includes the old style hex key!:
http://www.zbattery.com/D-Cell-Switc...category=97920


The same place no longer carries/shows the switch for lights without the "D" in the serial number.

I tried that and Zbattery does not have them in stock per the email they sent me.

[Eddie-M]

Could you very carefully stick a small drill bit down the switch assembly (with a diameter just smaller than the torx set screw) and just drill out the thing, and with a little force, push the switch assembly out from the front end? Would it be possible to do this without damaging the threads of the switch assembly and buying a new set screw with a standard head from a hardware store? I have not run into one of these abominations yet, but I'm sure I will in no time!

[nighttrails]

Could you very carefully stick a small drill bit down the switch assembly (with a diameter just smaller than the torx set screw) and just drill out the thing, and with a little force, push the switch assembly out from the front end? Would it be possible to do this without damaging the threads of the switch assembly and buying a new set screw with a standard head from a hardware store? I have not run into one of these abominations yet, but I'm sure I will in no time!

Even without the proper torx wrench it's easy to remove the set screw. See post 15.

[357mag1]

Even without the proper torx wrench it's easy to remove the set screw. See post 15.

I tried that method and it screwed up the plastic components of the switch.

[nighttrails]

I tried that method and it screwed up the plastic components of the switch.

How exactly? If a 2mm allen wrench is used for the tool it should fit through the switch without engaging the plastic parts and only engage the metal set screw itself. There should be no risk to the plastic parts.

[wquiles]

More photos of the "problem" with the wide shaft on most all T8 tools.

I ordered and received two supposedly thin shaft T8 L hex tools, based on the photos on McMaster's catalog. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned including myself, the shaft is the problem, as it is wider than the actual tip. I simply use my grinder to turn down the shaft until they fit on the small hole in the switch - nothing pretty, but quick and effective.

Close up of the "step" in the shaft that causes the problem:



Here in the photo you have (top to bottom): Original screw hex wrench, grind T8 hex wrench, original T8 hex wrench not yet ground:



Here on this second shot, from left to right: original screw hex wrench, grind T8 hex wrench, grind T8 hex wrench:

[SmurfTacular]

You are the king of this thread

You should seriously sell those, i'd buy one. Currently im using a sanded down 2mm allen wrench to ghetto-rig the screw.