metal switch button for m@g

[mr.lumen]

does anyone know know where i can get a metal switch to replace the rubber one on mags? kinda similar to the ones on the new sunwayman v10r ti. i ask because im making an all gold mag mod so i need to get the switch metal to get it plated. on that note im trying to find out if the stock plastic mag reflector is plated in chrome or nickle?. im getting that plated as well and they said they can only do plastic if its plated in chrome or nickle. i emailed maglight but still no response. thanks guys!



=l

 

[wannabe333]

good question, i was wondering the same thing. may be ebay will have some but need to make hole bigger or smaller to fit.

 

[mr.lumen]

i guess ill keep looking. im surprised no ones else has ever done this mod...

 

[moderator007]

As far as I know there is no metal replacement switch. This is what it looks like out of the light. The whole stock switch is plastic besides a few metal contact pieces. There is a hole that runs threw the switch button so that the set screw on the other side of the switch can be tighten to the mag body. This is where the switch gets its ground coming from the tail cap and also holds the switch housing in place. You can mod the switch housing to hold a different switch that maybe uses a push on metal knob. I have modded a mag switch housing to fit a small potentiometer in there for a variable brightness led mag. I made my own aluminum knob. To get a metal switch or knob its going to require some extensive modding. I did see someone that was offering this very service but I could not tell you where I saw his service (his service could have also expired). Maybe someone else knows.

 

[mr.lumen]

thanks for the help. ill try and fine someone who can machine me one. this is gonna be tough!

 

[PCC]

Why not purchase an aftermarket aluminum reflector?

As far as the button is concerned, how would you install it and would you need it to be water resistant? I'm guessing no on the latter question since it sounds like a shelf queen. The problem still remains of installing a metal switch button. The stock plastic switch is slid into the body through the tail with the switch in the Off position then you line it up, push an Allen wrench (or Torx T5) into the middle of the button and tighten the set screw to lock it in place. The rubber button cover then slides into place. The only thing I can think of is a piece of brass that's made to fit snugly into the hole that the Allen wrench slides into that almost fills the hole in the side of the body. Anyone with a lathe can make this for you.

 

[mr.lumen]

interesting i was unaware that was how it worked, but yea that does sound like its doable. i posted in the modifiers forum so hopefully one will want to do it for me. the brass switch would have to have a threaded hole on the inside of it to get connected to the switch housing correct? or it would just fall off right.

 

[moderator007]

I did look for the service for the metal switch with no luck. This mag piezo switch is completely water proof. Does require more electronics than just the switch.

The only thing I can think of is a piece of brass that's made to fit snugly into the hole that the Allen wrench slides into that almost fills the hole in the side of the body. Anyone with a lathe can make this for you.

Member PCC has a good idea. Would be cost effective but not water proof.

 

[PCC]

If the post was made just right it would be a tight friction fit and should not fall out or it can be made with fine threads. As far as the other thread, I'd prefer to post in only one place. PM me if you want me to make it for you.

 

[PCC]

Just an update: it can't be done, at least my idea of a brass button that slips into the hole. I took apart one of the spare switches that I have and looked at it to see if this brass button would cause any problems and, it turns out, the part that the button would be seated in is the part that needs to not only move in and out, but, it'll need to rotate as well. If a snug fitting button were placed into this the light would work only as a momentary and you would have to push in and give it a twist to stay on. The button would need to sit about 1/8" higher than the body of the light to compensate for this as well, which would look weird. Sorry, back to square one.

 

[mr.lumen]

i dont think the button sticking out 1/8 would look weird...if im picturing it correctly. i feel like most switches stick out some and i like that look. adds more contrast. as far as it being momentary that does stink but is doable since this model is just a shelf queen. more for looks and practicality. if you could and it wouldnt be too much of an effort i would like one made so i can at least have one for looks, until we can come up with a better idea. theres got to be a way!!!

Just an update: it can't be done, at least my idea of a brass button that slips into the hole. I took apart one of the spare switches that I have and looked at it to see if this brass button would cause any problems and, it turns out, the part that the button would be seated in is the part that needs to not only move in and out, but, it'll need to rotate as well. If a snug fitting button were placed into this the light would work only as a momentary and you would have to push in and give it a twist to stay on. The button would need to sit about 1/8" higher than the body of the light to compensate for this as well, which would look weird. Sorry, back to square one.

 

[PCC]

I'll get it done and sent out on Friday.

 

[mr.lumen]

A gent and a scholar you are

 

[PCC]

LOL! People who know me personally would disagree.

Back to square one. This is try #3, the first two snapped off at slightly less diameter than this. The threaded part has been cut to about 3/32" in diameter. As the brass gets thinner it starts to deflect away from my cutting tool and then it snaps off. That happens a few thousandths smaller than this. Note that the black plastic part has split. It's the actual part from a Mag switch and it doesn't like this treatment at all.

 

[mr.lumen]

Haha! Well screw em then!

And dang it! So are you thinking its not possible? So without threads it wouldn't sit in the slot at all or are you attempting a permanent alternative now?

 

[PCC]

It's so thin that it's pushing the limits of what I can do. I'm taking one thousandths off per pass and at that thickness the material flexes away from the cutter. Push it far enough and it bends. The next time it comes around it snaps it off. Grrr!

 

[Slazmo]

what about a push in option into the mag switch with a micro bearing on top of the pin - which would be under the cap itself? Would be easier to do that with the cap floating on top of a bearing allowing it to still rotate?

 

[mr.lumen]

hmmm interesting. sounds like a good idea slazmo. im all out of them so thank you for sharing yours. what do you think pcc? thank you for all your work. sounds frustrating. :-/

 

[PCC]

I still am facing the problem of turning a 5/8" diameter brass rod down to less than 3/32" without the soft brass snapping off. If I use a different material then I'll need to figure out how to join them without showing a visible seam or any way to ensure that they would not separate. Keep in mind that the actual plastic button part that you are pressing to activate the light goes almost flush to latch the switch on or off leaving no room to thread or otherwise attach a button to it. The only thing I can think of is a new switch altogether. I did have an idea for an aluminum heatsink that incorporates a McClicky...

 

[mr.lumen]

hmmm the material of the switch doesnt have to be brass. you could just make it out of something else altogether right? i can get aluminum or stainless steel plated in gold. im trying to envision whats going on with the switch. i wish i had a spare mag to take apart. ill get one so i can get a better idea of whats going on.