New to flashlight modding, I have a Lathe

[SikaStag]

I am reading and reading as much as I can take in regarding making your own flashlights or modding bought ones.
I am at the stage just now that when I am sleeping, I am dreaming of flashlight building and modding.
I have no experience making anything related to this subject on my Lathe. I would like to make some heat sink's just to get my self started doing something.

My question is. Is there any dimensions on the forum that I could use to get started making some chips flow. I would like to start of modding some Maglite's before actually starting my first custom build.

I use my Lathe for working on Rifles. It is a Harrison M300 with a 13" swing, 38mm spindle bore.

I purchased a lot of bar stock from an old gentleman that was making some room in his garage. He said if I waited a week or two before picking up the bar stock, he would add more to the amount, including Titanium.
Well I almost dropped when I met him to pick up the bar stock as he had included lots of Titanium bar stock and also 3 large billets of solid Titanium that are like 4" square by 12" long. These must cost a lot of money to go out and buy them new. There was also a lot of little squares that are like 1 3/4" solid Titanium.

I am quite excited at making a start. I have seen some inspirational post on here that are aww inspiring.

I would be grateful for any input that will get me off the ground.

 

[gadget_lover]

Welcome to the forum!

The "threads of interest" sticky in this forum has links to the kinds of things you want. For instance some dimensions are at http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=51647

There is no replacement for just buying a maglite and doing the measuring and fitting yourself. As with any mass produced item the tolerances are fairly loose so you can't declare any one size as being the perfect fit.

Daniel

 

[SikaStag]

Thank you Daniel

I am on my way to check out the link now.

I do not have a Maglite as of yet to take dimensions from.

Cheers

 

[yellow]

a lathe would be a fine thing ... 😉

get a few lights (cheap is better) and dismantle them.
There is no science fiction science in how a torch is built in general:

bezel - front glass - O-ring - head - reflector - led - mounting/thermal plate pressed/screwed into body (or head) - body - tailcap with switch

in the beginning change the cheap parts to improve the light (usually: led (better ting, better binning) and/or driver (better suited to Your needs, more effective, ...)
then mod around the body (other diameter for better batteries, better thermal path, better focusing device, better threads, o-ring seats, ...)
in the end make Your 1st real mod by milling the inside of the light by using the purchased original (outside looks professional, inside is top newest tech)
(be sure to protect the body, f.e. wrap one layer of paper around and then be careful when fixing it for milling)