After taking a while to learn the basics of machining, I figured that I knew enough to attempt a light from scratch. This wasn't intended to break any new ground either electrically or mechanically but just to put to use the metal working techniques I'd been trying out.
When the body and bezel were roughed out, my wife took a real interest and asked whether she could have the light when it was finished. Any fool knows the value of having the wife approve of hobbies, so I changed my plans and tried for a clean and simple design rather than a more aggressive look. The result is roughly the size of a Surefire 6P but the girth of the body is fatter so it feels pretty good in the hand. To keep the weight down, the wall thickness was reduced by extra boring on the inside except at the ends of the battery where it needs support.
The bright end is powered by a 3 level Dereelight pill in an internally threaded sleeve that fits the standard P60 drop-in profile. Any P60 clone will work fine in the body. I like the beam of the Malkoff drop-ins so I used the same optic, an eight degree Cree. It's now running with an AW 18650 but it can take two CR123s or RCR123s with a reducer tube turned out of PVC. PVC is pretty sketchy at .030" so I may be making a tube out of something else pretty quick!
The switch is the nice unit that NetKidz sells here. It is recessed so the light can tailstand. The diameter of the tailcap is generous so the switch is easily accessible.
Before cutting the final decorative details, the parts were bead blasted, giving a nice contrast with the shiny places.
So, my wife, who is really very supportive in general, may feel better about the new tools that have turned up in the shop!
When the body and bezel were roughed out, my wife took a real interest and asked whether she could have the light when it was finished. Any fool knows the value of having the wife approve of hobbies, so I changed my plans and tried for a clean and simple design rather than a more aggressive look. The result is roughly the size of a Surefire 6P but the girth of the body is fatter so it feels pretty good in the hand. To keep the weight down, the wall thickness was reduced by extra boring on the inside except at the ends of the battery where it needs support.
The bright end is powered by a 3 level Dereelight pill in an internally threaded sleeve that fits the standard P60 drop-in profile. Any P60 clone will work fine in the body. I like the beam of the Malkoff drop-ins so I used the same optic, an eight degree Cree. It's now running with an AW 18650 but it can take two CR123s or RCR123s with a reducer tube turned out of PVC. PVC is pretty sketchy at .030" so I may be making a tube out of something else pretty quick!
The switch is the nice unit that NetKidz sells here. It is recessed so the light can tailstand. The diameter of the tailcap is generous so the switch is easily accessible.
Before cutting the final decorative details, the parts were bead blasted, giving a nice contrast with the shiny places.
So, my wife, who is really very supportive in general, may feel better about the new tools that have turned up in the shop!
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