Tailcap thread on Minimag?

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wquiles

wquiles

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Best I can find out via the search is that the thread on the tailcap side of the minimag "appears" to be single start, 5/8"-28 UN, but I can't find if this just happens to be "close enough" or if this is indeed "the" correct thread for the minimag?

Anyone knows for sure?

Thanks,
Will
 
I bought a 5/8" - 28 TPI tap for this purpose and it worked. The threads were not a tight fit, though. If you are doing it on your lathe I'm sure you can get the tolerances a lot tighter.
 
All of the minimags that I've examined have had threads that looked like they were cut with an old worn die. The crest of the threads tend to be slightly tapered and the thread form is not a proper ISO thread form. Look at it closely with a magnifier. The width of the valleys does not usually match the width of the peaks.

Even so, it matches close enough that a proper 5/8-28 thread will work with it in most cases.

Daniel
 
Guys, I wanted to thank you again. I got the tap, and sure enough, it works perfect. I have not even cleaned these threads, and they still look perfect!
DSCF8205.JPG


DSCF8206.JPG



Will
 
Cool. One of these days I'm going to mod one of the 10+ minis I have laying in the garage!
 
I can't remember where I read it, but I'm sure the thread is a Whitworth thread with 55° thread angle.
 
Essexman said:
I can't remember where I read it, but I'm sure the thread is a Whitworth thread with 55° thread angle.
Click to expand...

Doesn't make sense why Maglite would use that thread.

I mostly hear people say it's 5/8"-28. But 5/8"-27 also works fine. As Daniel mentioned about the threads being so sloppy, I have MagAA tailcaps that measure closer to 27 tpi & some that measure 28 tpi. When I measure Kroll threads they are 28 tpi.

I've never bothered to try a measure the threads on the body of a MagAA, Arc LS clickies, or a Streamlight Jr. But I have had Krolls & MagAA tailcaps fit 5/8-27 thread. I know it's not a reliable method of telling but I can get a 5/8-27 tap to screw into some of my MagAA bodies & some that don't. I can't get the 5/8-27 tap to screw into any of my Arc LS clickies.
 
Essexman said:
I can't remember where I read it, but I'm sure the thread is a Whitworth thread with 55° thread angle.
Click to expand...

That is spot-on, and verified over on BLF.

Thanks, Will, for verifying that the "standard" 5/8-28 tap works well !!!

(Off to supply house) :twothumbs:


 
darkzero said:
Doesn't make sense why Maglite would use that thread.

I mostly hear people say it's 5/8"-28. But 5/8"-27 also works fine. As Daniel mentioned about the threads being so sloppy, I have MagAA tailcaps that measure closer to 27 tpi & some that measure 28 tpi. When I measure Kroll threads they are 28 tpi.

I've never bothered to try a measure the threads on the body of a MagAA, Arc LS clickies, or a Streamlight Jr. But I have had Krolls & MagAA tailcaps fit 5/8-27 thread. I know it's not a reliable method of telling but I can get a 5/8-27 tap to screw into some of my MagAA bodies & some that don't. I can't get the 5/8-27 tap to screw into any of my Arc LS clickies.
Click to expand...

Fo on, admit it, you just can't stand the idea that your American made iconic Maglite has a British thread size can you :nana:
 
Essexman said:
Fo on, admit it, you just can't stand the idea that your American made iconic Maglite has a British thread size can you :nana:
Click to expand...

It can only be said to be a WW thread if it conforms to the standard. My experience is that the thread is so sloppy that it does not really conform to any standard. The last time I looked closely the sides of the male thread was actually concave.


Dan
 
Chicago X said:
That is spot-on, and verified over on BLF.

Thanks, Will, for verifying that the "standard" 5/8-28 tap works well !!!

(Off to supply house) :twothumbs:
Click to expand...

That like folks "confirming" that tripod sockets on cameras are Whitworth? (Hin't they are not - I've actually spent the $$$ to buy a copy of the ISO spec to prove it)
 
Essexman said:
Fo on, admit it, you just can't stand the idea that your American made iconic Maglite has a British thread size can you :nana:
Click to expand...

Actually I could care less what Maglite uses. I still own Maglites (customs) from many many years ago but I don't remember the last the time I ever purchased one for myself. I just thought that it does not make much sense why Maglite, yes an American company (European founder) & because of which, would use a WW thread for the MagAA tailcap when all their other threads are UN. I support American made because it's my country but I'm not one of those guys who refuse to buy foreign or don't accept it.

No one else here has stated what size it is definitely, only what has worked for them. Taking into account the "sloppiness" of the threads, just curious what means of inspection are the BLF guys proving their findings to be so sure?
 
KC2IXE said:
That like folks "confirming" that tripod sockets on cameras are Whitworth? (Hin't they are not - I've actually spent the $$$ to buy a copy of the ISO spec to prove it)
Click to expand...

Did you buy the spec for the MMag? Have you measured?

The member who confirmed it makes only custom MMags, and AFAIK used 3 different sizes before landing on the Whitworth as the "best fit" over the 60-degree offerings.

Lest you claim "Red Herring," he shared all of the specs, rather than attempt to obfuscate them, in an attempt to expand the knowledge base.

Your dismissive tone is unnecessary and insulting.
 
Last edited:
I think Darkzero was justified and was neither dismissive nor insulting. He just stated his opinion.

The manufacturer is the only one who knows for sure what the minimag thread is. Inspecting the thread in a batch of lights (even a large batch) only tells you the range of deviation in your sample. It does not tell you what the range is supposed to be, nor what the design calls for.

Many people have had success with the tap that Will bought. If if works, it works. 🙂

Daniel
 
Guys guys come on! Did you not see the face at the end of my post. I was just trying to inject a bit of humour into the whole subject. Sorry it didn't go down well.

I've been an engineer long enough to know if it fits use it.
 
I'm dismissive on him using Whitworth for the simple reason is that basically NO ONE uses Whitworth anymore. No me, having looked at a lot of maglights, I just thing it's a REAL sloppy tolerance (like a 1) UN thread form. I've seen a LOT of loose tolerance UN threads described as Whitworth, so I have my doubts.
 
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