Minimized M*ni M*g

[tvodrd]

Got one of those marvelous little BB 500s from Wayne. (My first LS

) Seemed to be kind of a disgrace to put it into a plain old you-know-what, so I dreamed-up a fairly quick mod. Ordered a 20mm (slightly larger in diameter than the optic) lense from Edmund $cientific. As it seemed like a waste to let that 4-start thread go to waste, I gutted the light, screwed the bell back on, and chucked the body in the lathe. I turned the bell down to a couple thou larger than the lense, and cut off the front just ahead of the threads. Then I whittled a new front "bell" to receive the lense and optic with an I.D. to just clear the threaded section from the stock one. Shortened the tail cap and tube while I was at it. I think I will lightly knurl the threaded section and press it together with a little RTV after anodize. (Waiting for the next "Lot min charge to go out at work

.)

Ended up a full .100 shorter (5.60" O.A.L. (off)) and a full 1/8" smaller O.D. (.875") I should have turned it off for the pic- cam wasn't happy

.

Happy holidays
(At least it will be if those other 2 BBs get here)
(edited photo size)
Larry

 

[Rothrandir]

very nice!

would it be possible to take some material from the side of the body? i don't know how thick it is, but it would also make it all match.

also, i looks like there is no o-ring on the tailcap...would it be possible to cut some groves for one (or more

)?

 

[Roy]

Can you change the picture to about 700 pixels wide? I,m having to scroll to read the text.

 

[tvodrd]

Rothrandir- It will all match when I have the pieces black anodized. Within the next couple weeks I'll be sending a bunch out at work and can throw them in. The rear cap o-ring still fits and seals, but the lense isn't sealed so it wouldn't make much difference. Fitting an inside spacer sleeve would permit gasketing or o-ringing the lense. This is just a "house" light

.

Roy- I hope that helped.

Larry