Cutting Mag reflector

[Justintoxicated]

What tool do I need?

How exactly Do I cut it...I tried cutting it straight off on the tube but they made them weird and I think I ruined my reflector..Im trying to cut it for a hotlips..I have another mag I guess ill have to scrap now...

You would think you could just cut the base off....But it cuts into the bottem of the reflector. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[ufokillerz]

i use tin snips or angled scissors =) works fine, others use a dremel, hack saw or a lathe.

 

[Sway]

I use a pair of small nippers and just cut down from the end like a cork screw and stop when you get to the reflector.

Later
Sway

 

[darkzero]

I use a cut-off wheel with a Dremel in a Dremel Drill Press to get a nice perfect even cut all the way around.

 

[hotbeam]

Dremel works for me too!

 

[Justintoxicated]

thanks guys, I tried the dremel but it was melting more than cutting, at least with the attachment I was using

I used a hacksaw tehn 80 grit sand paper...

This first light has been a learning experience...
I wish I would have realized you can't jsut cut the bottem off, but that you have to cut about 1.5mm lower (DOH!)..I swapped the reflector with one in my older, non modded D-mag since it only dinged the reflector in one place...I don't think Ill notice the damage in this one. Cut it the right way this time...

 

[MR Bulk]

Small cheap $99 bandsaw, I just eyeball the cut, go right up to about 1/16" from the small end of the bell. Clean up residual plastic curls and flanges with small pointed Xacto blade, water wash the dust and shavings, gently pat with moist quality paper towel to get rid of the big water beads followed by hairdryer. Sounds tedious, but not when you do twelve at a time!

 

[evan9162]

I've done it both with snips and a dremel. The snips take longer, but don't clutter the reflector up with plastic dust - using snips is now my preferred method.

 

[EvilLithiumMan]

I gently stuffed the reflector with clean cotton and used a new cutting wheel. Kept dust to a minimum.

 

[illumiGeek]

The easiest way to cut the cams off of Mag reflectors is to use a Nibbler (or Nipper) tool. Only takes a minute or 2 and doesn't create any plastic dust.

Also available at Radio Shack.

 

[kingkong]

how do you take the gut of the mag c or d out?

 

[sween1911]

The gut meaning the switch housing?

There is a circular "C" clip inside a channel milled into the inside of the barrel. Use a small thin screwdriver or needle-nose pliers and pop it out. It takes some time, so be careful.

 

[greg_in_canada]

On the D cell mag you don't have to remove the clip.
You remove the rubber switch button cover, then use
a small metric Allan wrench (stuck down the hole in
the switch) to loosen the screw that grounds the switch
to the body. Then the switch assembly will fall out
the back.

Greg

 

[KevinL]

Hacksaw user here. Ready, fire, aim.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif But it gets the job done. I rinsed the reflector out with water, shook it, blew on it a few times, and the dust is gone. Holding the reflector is the hard part, there were a couple of times I was scared I'd crush the whole front end together. That thing is more robust than it looks though.

 

[gadget_lover]

I chucked a Mag reflector into my lathe, then used a Dremel circular saw to cut it while it was spinning. Dust went everywhere. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif As others note don't cut off the last 1/16 inch of the neck (aka "the cam").

Daniel

 

[Vifam]

The nibbling tool is on sale in Radio Shack store. I just bought one for $4.99. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[balrog]

If you find that the dremel cutting tool is melting your reflector, use a slower speed.

 

[yaesumofo]

Here is my pictoral HOW TO.
http://tinyurl.com/6cw6o

Yaesumofo

 

[wptski]

[ QUOTE ]
Vifam said:
The nibbling tool is on sale in Radio Shack store. I just bought one for $4.99. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
That was a closeout price on the RS brand! Hard to find one of those now. They have the more expensive $13.00 model. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif