Alu reflector for d cell maglight

[jefffalcone]

Does anybody know where I can buy an Aluminum reflector for a D cell mag light? I also need a glass lens if anybody has advice on where to get one.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[TigerhawkT3]

You can get an aluminum reflector from www.kaidomain.com or from CPFer fivemega. You can get glass windows from wwww.kaidomain.com or from www.flashlightlens.com.

:welcome: , BTW.

 

[jefffalcone]

Thanks.

I was directed to this forum by someone on Scubaboard. I am in the process of making a 10W HID cannister. I am using a modified D cell maglight for the head.

 

[jefffalcone]

Does anybody know anything about the shipping methods of kaidomain.com? They don't give any shipping options on their website.

 

[Northern Lights]

Does anybody know where I can buy an Aluminum reflector for a D cell mag light? I also need a glass lens if anybody has advice on where to get one.

Thanks,
Jeff

Most of the reflectors used for modifying and building lights by CPF forum members come from two CPF members. Fivemega and Litho123 offer a variety of models for D and C maglites.
Go to members and on their profile look up all threads started by them. Most of their sale threads are in CPFmarketplace, another related site, there was a split in CPF functions recently and you will find them there and a lists of their open sales thread. Both these folks get 11 out of 10 possible points by my system. Both first class people.

I use both of these products and they are superior to foreign knock-offs.
Use CPF search function for Kaidomain and the others. Look especially on recent reports about quality. I did. I will stay with my long time suppliers.
You will be working with high temperatures and need to stay with a proven product.

 

[TigerhawkT3]

They ship real slow. The only order I have placed with them so far took a little over a month to arrive. I had to input my order number on the website for tracking, and all it said was "shipped" - I didn't even get an email from them. My order was also incomplete when it arrived.

That said, my order did arrive, and they responded quickly to my email asking about the missing items, saying they were shipping separately, so I'll probably order from them again sometime.

What I like about their Al reflectors is that they look like they're the exact same size as the stock plastic ones. The FM ones have a smaller bulb opening.

 

[Northern Lights]

...

What I like about their Al reflectors is that they look like they're the exact same size as the stock plastic ones. The FM ones have a smaller bulb opening.

Litho123 offers two bulb sizes, but for those that are modifying the lights the small opening is no problem, a round fine grinding ball for a Dremel style drill can be dressed to the exact size and the reflector is opened by grinding the ball from the back with the reflector face down.
Matching the hole to the bulb insures the maximum amount of captured light.
High perfomance anything is measured in small increments,ya think?
All quality reflectors use vacume applied aluminum and are subject to scratching, they are quality optical items. Cleaning should be done only with compressed air. In some bad cases where vapor has been deposited while making up the light several threads address methods to careully clean a reflector.
Boy, that is an improtant warning because you can ruin any of the brands so easy by just wiping the reflector.

 

[jefffalcone]

Wish I had been a little more patient for responses. I already ordered from kaido. I don't think I'll have the patience to wait a month to finish my light. The only thing holding me up right now is the reflector and the lens. Other than that I could have it in the water tomorrow.

I think I'll try to get one from the guys you suggested and maybe make another light when the stuff from kaido comes.

 

[DM51]

Fivemega sells smooth (SMO) and medium orange-peel (MOP) reflectors, with or without cams, in this thread.

You will see there are options for 8.38mm, 10.5mm & 12.7mm openings, to suit all bulb types.

 

[donn_]

Fivemega... to suit all bulb types.

Does he have one which will allow a Malkoff D-cell drop-in?

 

[Gunner12]

Does he have one which will allow a Malkoff D-cell drop-in?

Yes, that would be a camless reflector, like this one. It would be cheaper to cut the cam off the reflector or buy one precut from Malkoffdevices.

jefffalcone:

:welcome:

You could probably cancel the order from Kaidomain(And buy a Fivemega reflector) or ask them to upgrade to EMS.

 

[donn_]

Yes, that would be a camless reflector, like this one. It would be cheaper to cut the cam off the reflector or buy one precut from Malkoffdevices.

$33 delivered! Ouch!! I'll stick with the plastic Mag reflectors. I can't imagine the aluminum job is much more reflective.

 

[Northern Lights]

$33 delivered! Ouch!! I'll stick with the plastic Mag reflectors. I can't imagine the aluminum job is much more reflective.

Anytime you up grade to over drive a bulb, the Pelican bulb, ROP is the basic first bottom of the pecking order, hot wire modification, you will encounter enough heat to melt the plastic. Yep, the primary purpose is to keep from melting the reflector, second is beam appearance. Maglite's magchrger comes with a steel reflector coated with aluminum beause that low power 6V bulb will melt the plastic reflectors. Smooth is the longest throw but shows artifacts, by adding texture you smooth out the beam and increase flood to the cost of throw. It is a balance of what you want.
I couldn't imagine the aluminum is much more reflective than Litho's Smooth reflectors either. Good thing I got the real thing because Litho and FM's reflectors in smooth are so very finely finished that they are a precision mirrors and as such an optical instrument. They are more reflective. Again is is a balance of high performance by increments. If it suits you needs than that is what you need, simple equation and every one of us is different so hope the suggestions and experience help everyone find their own path.

 

[donn_]

Thanks for the input, NL. I'm new to this, and as such, need all the advice I can get.

I understand the heat issue. I have one of FM's 8AA/2D/1164's coming from England, and it has the aluminum reflector.

I wonder, however, if the heat protection, and what you indicate is better reflection, will make a noticeable difference in my Mag/Malkoff LED lights. The aluminum is obviously tougher, but the Mag does a pretty good job of protecting the reflector from shock damage.

 

[Northern Lights]

Better ask that one on the LED forum, those members that hang out there are good. I am a beginner at LED mods, I do not know about the heat issues if any with the original reflector. Seems to me many folks have used the original in LED mods, but I guess that depends on the type of LED used.

 

[Patriot]

Thanks for the input, NL. I'm new to this, and as such, need all the advice I can get.

I understand the heat issue. I have one of FM's 8AA/2D/1164's coming from England, and it has the aluminum reflector.

I wonder, however, if the heat protection, and what you indicate is better reflection, will make a noticeable difference in my Mag/Malkoff LED lights. The aluminum is obviously tougher, but the Mag does a pretty good job of protecting the reflector from shock damage.

You don't need a metal reflector for LED mags. When you purchase a Malkoff the hole of the plastic reflector has to be enlarged to accomodate the larger diameter LED post.