The 2D Mag-lite looks about right, with the head well proportioned to the body, but when you start adding D cells ... 3, 4, 5, 6 ... Mag-lites begin to take the appearance of Schlitzie the pinhead. Something had to be done.
After you study the Mag-lite, you figure out that producing light is a secondary purpose. It's a miracle of mass manufacture, with tolerances so loose that the resulting beam is no surprise, but it can be purchased for little more than the price of the raw aluminum that comprises it.
Law enforcement and security professionals are in a position to legally utilize the Mag-lite's true talents as a non-threatening, barely disguised defensive tool. The rest of us scratch our heads and think about peaceful ways to put all that beautiful machined aluminum to use ... and just maybe even converting one into a credible flashlight.
With my wife busy working all weekend /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif and my responsibility for watching the kids delegated to a DVD player /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif, I had a full day in the garage to create a prototype to: <ul type="square">[*]utilize a Carley 3" reflector with a stock Mag body [*]try out a technique for mounting a removable lens without a bulky retaining ring [*]create and try out a jig for milling the reflector cams for a possible run of drop-in "orange peel" Mag reflectors.[/list]The day's goals were: <ul type="square"> [*]create a drop-in component that provides a field (i.e. consumer) upgrade without tools [*]preserve the focus mechanism, which in my opinion is only useful to dial in the focus on different types of bulbs [*]tighten up the bulb-to-reflector fit (the Mag's Achilles' heel) to provide a consistently high-quality beam [*]preserve or enhance esthetics of appearance and feel [*]provide focus in either direction without "locking up" or unscrewing the head if you turn the head too far in either direction [*]need not preserve the defensive talents, which are hopefully of rare use by the average consumer.[/list]Here's the Mag Daddy drop-in big head prototype:
I used Delrin because I didn't have the right size aluminum.
Here's a shot of the respective business ends:
The lens ... Acrylite, of course, though with a groove cut in the edge that securely holds an O-ring, mating with a similar groove in the reflector. Press fit. Quite tight. Haven't assessed if it's waterproof yet.
After you study the Mag-lite, you figure out that producing light is a secondary purpose. It's a miracle of mass manufacture, with tolerances so loose that the resulting beam is no surprise, but it can be purchased for little more than the price of the raw aluminum that comprises it.
Law enforcement and security professionals are in a position to legally utilize the Mag-lite's true talents as a non-threatening, barely disguised defensive tool. The rest of us scratch our heads and think about peaceful ways to put all that beautiful machined aluminum to use ... and just maybe even converting one into a credible flashlight.
With my wife busy working all weekend /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif and my responsibility for watching the kids delegated to a DVD player /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif, I had a full day in the garage to create a prototype to: <ul type="square">[*]utilize a Carley 3" reflector with a stock Mag body [*]try out a technique for mounting a removable lens without a bulky retaining ring [*]create and try out a jig for milling the reflector cams for a possible run of drop-in "orange peel" Mag reflectors.[/list]The day's goals were: <ul type="square"> [*]create a drop-in component that provides a field (i.e. consumer) upgrade without tools [*]preserve the focus mechanism, which in my opinion is only useful to dial in the focus on different types of bulbs [*]tighten up the bulb-to-reflector fit (the Mag's Achilles' heel) to provide a consistently high-quality beam [*]preserve or enhance esthetics of appearance and feel [*]provide focus in either direction without "locking up" or unscrewing the head if you turn the head too far in either direction [*]need not preserve the defensive talents, which are hopefully of rare use by the average consumer.[/list]Here's the Mag Daddy drop-in big head prototype:
I used Delrin because I didn't have the right size aluminum.
Here's a shot of the respective business ends:
The lens ... Acrylite, of course, though with a groove cut in the edge that securely holds an O-ring, mating with a similar groove in the reflector. Press fit. Quite tight. Haven't assessed if it's waterproof yet.