calipsoii
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2010
- Messages
- 1,412
Presenting...
The Lamplighter
(an LED keychain lantern)
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- Sturdy unibody construction
- Flame-polished borosilicate window provides superior scratch & impact resistance
- 610nm orange SMD LED suspended on hair-thin wires offers all the warm glow of a campfire spark captured on your keychain
- 3 months of 24/7 runtime on 4x SR41 button cells means your Lamplighter will glow all year on $12 worth of batteries
- O-ring sealed tailcap protects against the elements and allows easy access for quarterly battery changes
- Professionally machined in a family-run CNC shop in the USA
- Designed, assembled and tested by one very nitpicky Canadian
Price
- Lamplighter only (no shipping):
- Brass: $85USD
- Copper: $90USD
- Shipping:
- USA/Canada with tracking & insurance in 7-10 business days: $15
- Int'l/Overseas without tracking or insurance in 2-3 weeks: $10
- Int'l/Overseas with tracking & insurance in 6-10 business days: ~$40 (I can get an exact quote once I know your country)
You have a few options to customize your Lamplighter!
- Body Style
- 2 Windows (on the right): Greater LED visibility; more delicate appearance; greater possibility of damage to Pyrex
- 3 Windows (on the left): Added 3-dimensional appearance; Pyrex is better protected; harder to see LED
- Body Material
- Brass
- Copper
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Important Considerations - These are not waterproof. Do not shower with them! They are sealed against pocket lint and may withstand some incidental splashing but otherwise avoid water.
- Don't overtighten the tailcap. You might damage the innards and without knurling you might find it hard to unscrew it again.
- They're really dim during the daylight hours. I cannot stress this enough. Odds are, people won't see it glowing when you show it off in a bright office. The design goal was to look great at night and last a reasonable timeframe on a set of batteries.
- The LED suspension wires will be a bit bent on every single one. I try my very best to make them perfectly straight but as with any handmade product some character is unavoidable.
- They have a piece of Pyrex glass in them. In 5 months of daily carry I've never broken one, but the possibility is there.
- Open the tailcap slowly so the spring and batteries don't shoot out!
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Project Risks
- The #1 risk is that it will take some time to receive your Lamplighter. I am one person with a full-time day job and this is my after-hours hobby. We also just had our first child and as any parent can tell you, there is no such thing as "free time". These will absolutely be done with concerted effort on my part but if a family/work emergency arises this project will be the first thing to be delayed.
- I do not accept prepayment. This is good! It means I will never have your money without you having a Lamplighter in your hot little hand. It also means you have no guaranteed way to secure one.
- Your Lamplighter might have slightly bent LED wires, it might have light machining marks, and it might arrive slightly tarnished. As mentioned, these are handmade and some character is to be expected. You can be assured I will try my hardest to make your Lamplighter look great but these are not factory-produced and there aren't enough hours in the day for me to reject pieces due to tiny cosmetic flaws.
FAQ
- What kind of batteries should I feed my Lamplighter?
- You should purchase good-quality SR41/392 batteries. Don't use LR41 batteries as they have shorter runtime and are prone to leak.
- Will my Lamplighter tarnish?
- Yes. The metal is unlacquered and your Lamplighter will pick up a nice patina over time as it rides around in your pocket. A bit of Brasso or metal polish should bring it back to shiny new condition in no time. Be careful around the window while polishing.
- I want one! What now?
- Decide on your body style (2 or 3 windows). Decide on your material (copper or brass). Post in this thread or send me a PM. I will add you to the interest list and let you know when it's ready.
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and 3 windows for me. :thanks:
