Nice easy mod for single LED

[Slick]

I like to hit the weekend flea markets from time to time. Lots of times I find people who are selling "craftsman" tools that are returns & seconds. I always check these folks out for the AA Craftsman version of the Mini-Mag. I can find these with (usually) a bad bulb for 2 or 3 bucks and these lights also have the switch mounted on the barrel like the larger Mag lights.

The hole in the reflector is already large enough to accept an LED in place of the bulb, so it's just a matter of grinding off the LED's stop tabs and trimming to length.

Insert the LED and load 2 N's + 1 AAA and you're set to go...

I modded one like this with a cyan LED and it's the brightest single LED light in my collection - and one of the cheapest too!

I think the lens & reflector are pressed in (and didn't want to destroy them) so I doubt that this light would be a decent candidate for a Luxeon (without major work) or destructive experimentation.

 

[Ted T]

I thought about using a Luxeon in one of these. Has anyone tryed it? The switch on the side gets around the problem of not being able to rotate the bezel when using it as a heat sink.
Ted

 

[Slick]

On the Mini-Mag head there is an outter "sleeve" that unscrews to remove the lens and reflector. The Craftsman does not unscrew...

However I believe a Luxeon could be mounted solidly into the head. I think the contacts would have to be kind of a "bullseye" so that when the head is screwed on, it would permit contact where ever rotation stopped.

At the price I find these at ocasionally, I may have to butcher one up just to see..

 

[Ted T]

If you try it, keep us posted. How does the quality of this light compare with a real Mag-Lite?

 

[EMPOWERTORCH]

Anyone know where I can pick up Craftsman torches in UK?