Fenix TA30 Disassembly

[matt304]

I'm looking for a schematic, or at least trying to figure out how to correctly disassemble the Fenix TA30. I tried using my hands to loosen the bezel, but it's extremely tight on there. I don't want to scratch the unit up doing this, so any tips on how to properly loosen the bezel would be a good start to tearing it all apart.

Thanks

 

[coolperl]

The TA30 bezel is factory glued to the body. You can't unscrew it, at least not by hands. This is intentional design and according to Fenix engineer (I've contacted them about the same thing) it is required to maintain proper operation, waterproofness and overall robustness of the light.

User can only unscrew the tailcap to change the batteries.

 

[matt304]

So, can I heat this glue to get it to break easily?

The Fenix TA30 is an amazing light, I shined it for a while already. Unfortunately, its life is coming to an end soon to become a laser host.

I am completely stripping the parts and removing everything, to make room for a new internal sink which is very large. Then the batt tube is getting drilled for an 18650.

 

[coolperl]

That's a quite expensive host you've chosen oo:

Sure, you can try to heat it, as long as you don't need internals. But I don't guarantee success... The selector ring has some o-rings which will melt in high temperature. If you manage to win with the glue, there will be also some mess inside from the o-rings. When you finally disassemble the whole thing, the selector ring will be pretty useless. I don't know how the light will look/work without it :thinking:

Wouldn't it be easier to buy some el-cheapo from DX ? They are not glued (mostly) and do not have such complicated internal design... Or even to find someone with the lathe and create your own project of the body ?

By the way... The tube will be too long for one 18650 ...unless the heatsink/new internals will take this additional space. But I'm sure you know about it.

Anyway, eviscerating the TA30 to make it laser host is one of the most unique ideas, I've ever heard about (regarding flashlights) :huh:

 

[matt304]

OK, so some o-rings melt, but those are replaceable.

I want to keep the ring on there for looks, but I will re-anodize the ring so that the mode engravings are less visible. The ring will be locked in one position when the unit goes back together so it cannot turn.

This host is for very high powered green modules that are almost 3 inches long. 18650 + module fitment will be OK.

Just need to get the guts stripped, without damaging the finish.

Any idea what to grip the bezel with once it's heated very hot by a butane torch? I don't want to scratch it, but don't want to melt what I'm gripping it with either.

Thanks

That's a quite expensive host you've chosen oo:

Sure, you can try to heat it, as long as you don't need internals. But I don't guarantee success... The selector ring has some o-rings which will melt in high temperature. If you manage to win with the glue, there will be also some mess inside from the o-rings. When you finally disassemble the whole thing, the selector ring will be pretty useless. I don't know how the light will look/work without it :thinking:

Wouldn't it be easier to buy some el-cheapo from DX ? They are not glued (mostly) and do not have such complicated internal design... Or even to find someone with the lathe and create your own project of the body ?

By the way... The tube will be too long for one 18650 ...unless the heatsink/new internals will take this additional space. But I'm sure you know about it.

Anyway, eviscerating the TA30 to make it laser host is one of the most unique ideas, I've ever heard about (regarding flashlights) :huh: