2 AA brass collar & button on a Mini-Mag

[shankus]

This is a very secure method to carry a Mini-Mag, if you don't want it in a pocket. Using a swivel clip, the light can be clipped on a belt, pocket, waistband etc.

I put mine near the head of my Mini-Mag, and it serves four purposes.

1) To carry the light.
2) Mini-Mag anti-roll device.
3) Additional mass to dissipate heat (from MadMax/BadBoy).
4) Mini-Mag head stop (prevents head from screwing down far enough to turn off the light).

I still must Loctite® the set screw, to prevent the collar from loosening, and the button from coming off. If this happens, the light will be lost, or at the least, dropped.
In addition to this, I plan on putting a small dimple in the barrel of the Mini-Mag, where the setscrew has left a mark, to keep the collar from rotating & sliding.

Also, I am going to get a longer set screw for mine because only about half of the button is engaged with the threads. I want the entire button engaged, with Loctite®, for security.

The collar has been tapped to receive a tripod mount bolt, although I don't think I'll ever use it as such. The deburring around this hole left it homely, but it is still functional.

You can purchase them at the Sandwich Shoppe, although they don't come as a complete unit, the must be ordered separately.

I recommend it highly for a Mini-Mag, but I can't comment on it's use with other 2 AA lights.

 

[shankus]

Is anyone else using these collars on a 2 AA light? If so, on the tail or head?

 

[LEDmodMan]

Mine should be in my mailbox right now. Will post review next week.

 

[shankus]

Well, I couldn't find the longer set screws at the hardware store. I put them on order. So, for now, I just put on the thread locker.
I used Permatex Red 27100. I got it at the auto parts store. It states that cured parts must be heated to 500°F to remove them.
No, I don't think it's going to fall off.

 

[LEDmodMan]

But what if you ever really want to get it off? I hope you can take everything out of/off of the light it's on before torching it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[shankus]

Definitely. I will remove the head, Kroll & cells, and heat it with a small torch, if necessary.

My bigest concern is if if I were to lose the light, like the McLux I heard about & if I can get the set screws I need.

 

[shankus]

Well, I've had a chance to carry the light from a modified Ultra Clip, from www.theclip.com.

It is a great way to carry the light. It is very handy, easy to remove and re-install into the clip, and is quite secure.
I swing the tail of the light forward, push the clip release, and the light comes off in my hand with my thumb on the Kroll.
It seems almost intuitive grasping the light and finding the release. Returning the light to the clip is equally easy. I am surprised that I never have to search around for the clip to snap the light back into it. Both can be done without looking at it.

It hasn't offered to strain or break the clip, or come off of my belt. I frequently check that the brass button is still tight, after applying the Loctite®, and it's holding well.

The only problem is with the Kroll. The light will sometimes activate when I sit, especially in the car. However, sometimes my light activated when I carried it in my back pocket, as well.

Whenever a perfect switch is made for the Mini-Mag, I'll be right there wanting at least 5 of them.

Overall, I highly recommend this as a mode of carry.

 

[shankus]

A short update on the 2 AA collar & button.
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I've no problems using the Ultra Clip to carry a Mini-Mag at all. I still like it very much.

When I come in for the evening, I usually take it off, clip and all, and put it by my bed.
Sometimes I end up picking this thing up and clipping it to my bath robe pocket, or the waistband of my underwear. (yea, I'm a single guy, I walk around like that here. Flashaholic, go figure.)
So, there's one more positive. It can be fastened to many more things than just a belt.

The thing is pretty darn versatile, and I like it a lot.

The only improvement I think there could be to it, is if the button were made in the format of a ratcheting clip, like this.

This would enhance the serviceability of the whole assembly, making it pointable from the hip. Kind of like a "hiplamp", instead of a headlamp.

I have a spare button, but it does look like a bit too much work for a Dremel tool.

 

[McGizmo]

Shankus,

Good feedback and I'm glad you like the method of carry. I have figured out ways to put the tabs on all of the lights I plan to use.

There is another method of ratcheting I have used that would be easier to machine than the system you are showing. It envolves a ring of holes with an additional detent spring and pin on the clip. In either case, the tab would be considerably more expensive to have made due to the second opperations. As it was, I had to buy 2000 of the existing tabs to get the price down to a reasonable level. Given the profit I make on each tab, I will probably never see a full return on my initial investment here. I have no complaints since I have all the tabs I want! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I find that I am often shooting from the hip without removing the light from the clip. I don't mind having to aim the light. Further, I prefer that the light will swing freely and I would only want a ratcheted system if the ratchet could be placed in free to rotate mode as well. This is all doable but not viable in a small scale. It would also require resources beyond this fellow. Go for it! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

- Don