new set screw tool for Mag D switch

[SmurfTacular]

Is there any update on this?

Does anyone know if this would work?


I haven't done much experimenting myself, but by the looks of it, it should be able to shim into the hole and unscrew the mag switch screw.

 

[jabe1]

Is there any update on this?

Does anyone know if this would work?


I haven't done much experimenting myself, but by the looks of it, it should be able to shim into the hole and unscrew the mag switch screw.

No, it has a shoulder when it changes from torx to hex. Th shaft can only be as large as the torx part. I have ground the shaft of a .08 torx and it works well now, I looked all over town for one that didn't need grinding first though.

 

[SmurfTacular]

:thumbsdow

Maglite has thoroughly disappointed me

 

[LuxLuthor]

@ LuxLuthor,

Wow, great read. This hole thing really torx me! We purchase more Mags and parts than anyone! I've turned a bunch of people onto modding, and they buy parts too. We are not the ones sending them back in for warranty or costing them anything!

It will just be more time before we have the tool, and modding will resume (it hasn't stopped me anyway, just an inconvenience).

I think what they resent is how we easily make their lights much better, and it's embarassing to them. :kiss:

 

[nighttrails]

I think what they resent is how we easily make their lights much better, and it's embarassing to them. :kiss:

It's surprising Maglite doesn't look at modders as their own no-cost R+D lab and implement a few of the best ideas.

 

[Alan B]

Data point. Just bought a new 4D Jade and it has hex screw.

One less problem to deal with now. Already converted it to PHD 5x IMR C cells driving 64623. 150 watts, not bad for a stock looking 4D.

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

Yeah, but isn't the Jade one a one-time only limited batch?

In other words: made in one batch a long time ago?

 

[Alan B]

Yeah, but isn't the Jade one a one-time only limited batch?

In other words: made in one batch a long time ago?

I don't really know, just thought it might be of some interest, probably is older as we expect new units to have the torx.

 

[joeparker54]

... I looked all over town for one that didn't need grinding first though.

I happened to notice you're in Cleveland - did you happen to check Production Tool Supply? When I need rare tools/bits PTS is where I usually find them. They have a website as well. I've never used it, however, since they're based out of SE Michigan and there's two stores less than 25 minutes from my house.

 

[jabe1]

I happened to notice you're in Cleveland - did you happen to check Production Tool Supply? When I need rare tools/bits PTS is where I usually find them. They have a website as well. I've never used it, however, since they're based out of SE Michigan and there's two stores less than 25 minutes from my house.

No, I kinda lost heart after a few places, so I just ground down a cheap one! Yeah, PTS does well, and not overpriced.

 

[PCC]

I just bought a 3D Rebel MagLED at Costco (2-pack with the Rebel Mini-Mag) and it has the Torx bit.😡 I guess I'll take an L shaped Allen and grind it down to a flat blade screwdriver to take this one apart.

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

Is there already any confirmation on what Torx size the new screw is?

PB - Swiss Tools makes several Torx tools with T6/7/8 with a 2.5mm diameter lead (is that the right word for the long stick of metal connecting the bit with the handle?).

 

[PCC]

I tried a T-8 Torx bit that I have and tried it in the set screw and it's an ever so slightly loose fit. I don't have a T-9 (if one exists) but the T-10 that I have does not fit.

 

[TranquillityBase]

Fingertip Flag, or Fingertip T-handle (T-handle style not shown in the photo), should be the ticket.

T6 and T8 are depicted in the photo (PR13 bulb for size reference), and both are flag handled.

T6, red, has a 32mm long x 3mm diameter shaft.

T8, orange, has a 39mm long x 2.3mm diameter shaft.

McMaster sells both styles.

FWIW, these are simply Torx L-keys with an overcast plastic handle.



The shaft on this particular T8 is the same diameter as the tip of the tool.

 

[357mag1]

I tried a T-8 Torx bit that I have and tried it in the set screw and it's an ever so slightly loose fit. I don't have a T-9 (if one exists) but the T-10 that I have does not fit.

I tried a T9 and it definitely does not fit. My Waha T8 fits nice and snug.

Actually after playing with it for a minute I noticed the T8 Waha didn't fit as snug as I initially thought. Looking at the head with a magnifying glass I believe this is actually a Torx Plus fastener. Perhaps somebody with a Torx plus set could verify. Regular Torx drivers will work in a Torx plus fastener but the plus drivers won't fit in a regular Torx fastener.

 

[wquiles]

I know I am late to the new T8 Torx switch set screw party, but I recently took some pictures and I was asked to post them here:

D light cut open to figure out what the heck the set screw was:

Once I got the screw out, I filed down one of my hex screws to fit:

Here are the two screws:

and a close-up, where you can clearly see the new screw is a Torx screw:

And specifically, a T8 Torx screw:

EDIT: A 5/64" is 0.07813" and a 2mm is 0.07874", so either one works fine in the standard hex screw.

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

You actually cut open a brand new mag to figure out what screw was in there?

 

[SmurfTacular]

Wow great job Wquiles. You certainly did alot of research, and sacrificed a perfectly working Maglite.

:thumbsup: :twothumbs

 

[wquiles]

You actually cut open a brand new mag to figure out what screw was in there?

Yup. That shows my dedication to the hobby and attention to detail. Either that or it just provides further evidence that my brain does not work right/normal

 

[Bullet Bob]

This is pretty funny. I cannot think of any reason for them to change the type of setscrew to a somewhat obscure torx type that they know most people's tool set won't fit...other than a lame attempt to foil people like us wanting to mod them. I never had the hex (Allen) type strip, and have tightened/loosened hundreds of them.

I think the issue is something else. On The High Road Forum ( mostly about guns) a poster had issues with several Mag lites all new that did not work. intermintent light and such and a used one that fell and quit working but was having issues as well before the fall.
I suggested that the issue might be the switch had come loose and that he tighten the switch. I explained how in detail.
Later the poster found that this was indeed the issue all along and the light works just fine now and he posted a great big Thank You.

Torx's were developed as the screws heads were failing before reaching the desired torque needed on aircraft screws is my understanding.
Torx and Torx Plus allowed the screws to be tightened without the tool walking out of the screw and destroying the head. This has been a widespread change in industries all over. I guess Mag Lite just finally got with the program.