TiNi coated flashlights?

[hotfoot]

(Everything here is IMHO)

Methinks too that the "vanilla" colors like natural, silver and black will go a long way in the market, either with TiNi or perfected HAIII. I'm no marketing expert, but its something that will go down well with most of the market. CPF guys like us will probably consume one (or more) of every type/color/finish that Arc is ever likely to produce, but for folks who just need One Good Flashlight, vanilla will be just fine. And when Peter's finally made enough to cover tooling, R&D and maybe for a well-deserved holiday, we can start hoping (but still paying) for premium, small-run items.

Its really important Peter can start producing factory-firsts in a meaningfully efficient way first because neither me nor my customers would like to be buying seconds forever. It must be at least a little embarassing to have a website offering your latest and greatest product keep pushing back availability dates - people might dismiss the product as vaporware and kill enthusiasm - something no amount of marketing will ever easily repair.

I'm all for Firsts first, TiNi or otherwise. That way, Arc's success can be guaranteed, thus so too, our pleasure and satisfaction. It's necessary for new products we'd all love to see, like the Arc-AA (and a 5W Arc-LS TiNi?).

 

[Gransee]

Well written Hotfoot. The next 6 months we have to very focused and excute on target. The LS issue must be solved. I am constantly looking for ways to move it forward and TiNi was another such consideration.

Just heard from the plater this morning. The batch of 123 compartments we have been trying to plate for the past month didn't come out of the HA very well. I am going later this morning to survey the damage. Sheeze louise... What do I have to do!?

We tried another shop last week (#4 in the list we tried so far) and they made them all the wrong tint (and screwed up the chemkote).

Grrr...

Peter

 

[bwcaw]

Man, they must be having an "inept platers'
union" convention down there!
I totally agree with what Hotfoot said. It would be nice to see a TiNi light in the
future, when you get the bugs worked out of
the ls production though. And thanks Peter
for considering the ideas of your customers,
most companies dont do that! You don't hide
anything from your customers, and that is nice.
You should make your slogan: "Arc, flashlight makers for flashlight users"!

I edited out the stupid part of this message.

 

[napalm-2002]

Peter i would go TiNi if possible bec like you said it will take the place of chemkote and do the outside of the light at the same time.!

Go for the Gold

 

[Gransee]

Just doing the research on this at this point. Not sure if it will work out. It would be nice though.

First I have to find a shop in town that actually does this process!

Peter

 

[Silviron]

Peter-
I don't know if anyone in Mesa /Phoenix is doing PVD - you might have to send them out of state.

You could try Chromizing AZ over in West Phoenix- (Don't have a phone number handy, but they are in the phone book).

They were talking about getting PVD equipment (at my suggestion) when I left there about 10 years ago. Mostly, they do aerospace work, re-manufacturing jet engine turbines.

I don't know how much your HA is costing (not counting the losses because of QC), but several years ago I looked into getting some knives TiN coated and it worked out to about $3.25 each (unfortunately I would have had to do an order of 500 items at one time, and I only wanted to do about 10). I forget what company had the low bid, but if I'm remembering right they were on the east coast.

Have you checked www.goldstarcoatings.com

I think they will do a "free" sample if you send them the parts.

Oh, a possible downer: Some aluminum alloys need to be chrome plated first. I hope that whatever you are using for the ARCs is one of tha alloys that can be directly nitrided.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Do you have to do it locally Peter?There is a plater named Darrel Lewis(if I recall correctly) that posts on Bladeforums.com.He works with some of these high end coatings and has a company ethic that seems to match yours.I'll have to go look,but I think the company is called Bodykote.He would be a good guy to correspond with and could probably give you insight into what your platers are doing wrong.
troy

 

[Gransee]

OK, could not find a company called "Chromizing" in the metro area.

Called some local tool makers, they recomended outfits out of state, none locally.

I am going to back burner this. I don't want to be shipping parts all over to be processed. It would just make our lead times worse.

I think we can get HA to purr, talked to some people about things we can do to spiff it up.

Peter

 

[Silviron]

Ok, They started using the world-wide corporate name - Instead of Chromizing AZ they are now Chromalloy Arizona

Phone # is (602) 272-1768

Can't blame you for "back burnering" this though.

 

[Steelhead]

Have not posted in a while but thought I'd chime in on this subject.
TiNi in either the goldish tint or the greyish color would be perfect.
1.) It could eliminate the chemkote process.
2.) It is a much more durable finish. This would enhance the arc image of quality and durability.
3.) It would be, as far as I know, a first on marketed flashlights.
4.) As mentioned by many, HA3 does wear off especially on the knurling. This could be eliminated with TiNI.
5.) Look at how people went APE ---- over the brass AAAs. The gold color sure didn't seem to bother anyone.
If the price is right I would say it is an absolute must. Just don't discriminate against the AAA lovers out there. Bottom line-
Take this sucker off the back burner and let the dogs eat!!! WOOF!!!

 

[Steelhead]

FYI:
SOG knives and tools coat some of ther tools and blades with TiNi.
Tools with the gold TiNi.
Blades with a black TiNi.

 

[lightlover]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bigwuss:
... [You] don't hide anything from your customers, like Pk at sure-fire ...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bigwuss, I'm not sure what you mean ??

If you've looked at: http://www.pk-engineering.com/spec.html
there is just about everything you could ask to know about SureFire specifications.
(Some more stuff has been promised too).
At the bottom of that page is a link to the homepage, with more large photos and minute details than you could shake a stick at !

I suppose if you have any specific questions that aren't answered there, you could always post something at SFDB.

I think that PK is pretty open about his designs, and I'm quite surprised to see you saying that.

lightlover

 

[yclo]

Jahn, I thought he meant that PK was also open about his products?

YC

 

[lightlover]

Yclo,

OOps !!

Well, I was amazed at what Bigwuss wrote !!

Man, I am getting s-l-o-w-e-r with the years ......

(I'll have to learn me some American, that's all).

lightlover

 

[yclo]

Well I sorta been learning some Australian, if that's what you call it.

YC

 

[Chas]

Peter,

Even if the cost has to go up a little per light - go with the TiNi if you can find someone local who can do it.

And remember gold is forever. Gee, if we could get the James Bond folks interested in these..hmmmm.........

My two cents worth.

Best Regards,

 

[bwcaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by *something ridiculous ?:
Bigwuss, I'm not sure what you mean ??

If you've looked at: http://www.pk-engineering.com/spec.html
there is just about everything you could ask to know about SureFire specifications.
(Some more stuff has been promised too).
At the bottom of that page is a link to the homepage, with more large photos and minute details than you could shake a stick at !

I suppose if you have any specific questions that aren't answered there, you could always post something at SFDB.

I think that PK is pretty open about his designs, and I'm quite surprised to see you saying that.

lightlover

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I guess it was just one of those stupid off hand remarks that slip out once in a while.
I guess you can't expect complete openness
from a guy like PK(who btw is a really nice guy) because he is so busy. Peter, has always
told everyone here what he was thinking while
he was thinking it, but you hardly hear from
PK anymore. Anyway, sorry if I offended anyone, I should have chosen better words, and I appologize to PK for this slip, I will try to be more polite to the master of incandecent flashlights in the future.