Vintage flashlight to mod

[mr.squatch]

I've been browsing ebay for a while now, looking for a suitable host from the 50's/60's to mod into a modern day sleeper. I'm thinking something like a box fed 6" reflector originally using 4d's. Something made of metal, big reflector, and uses similar bulb socket to a maglite. Of course on ebay nobody knows what they have and list very little useful information. Anybody been thru vintage lights that could pass along a little wisdom? I found a cool 70's 6d fat head everready light this morning. I think a rop hi would look great in that big head. I'd really like to have a box type. Thanks in advance for any advice provided


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[mr.squatch]

I found a ray-o-vac hunter 8d for cheap in great condition. Anybody know any details on this guy? Can't wait to see what I can do with it. (not this one, but very close and primo condition)

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[DaFABRICATA]

HID!!!!!

DO IT!!!
Complete Sleeper!!

 

[big beam]

I think that light is 6V.The batts are 4S2P.But whatever you build will have a Looong runtime.
DON

 

[mr.squatch]

You're right it is 6v. I got it tonite and proceeded to drop in a rop high bulb (fits like a glove) and was fairly unimpressed. At 6v that makes more sense. This is by far the coolest light in my fleet. 3" Glass lens and metal reflector. One wire in the whole thing. Awesome working two position switch. Rear is off, middle lets the tiny round momentary button push then forward is full on. I can't believe it works. 1955 they knew how to build stuff. The bulb screws into the back of the lens assembly which screws out of the front cup as a single assembly (lens, bezel, reflector). Inside the cup is two large copper tabs that act as springs to hold contact with the rear of the bulb. With 8 d cells in it it's really freakin heavy. More than 2 cells heavier than a 6d maglite. It's way smaller than I thought, only 8" long, 3" wide and 4" high. Even with the stock bulb it throws like a monster. I sent it down the street at a house we've googled at 500 ft and it puts a nice oval spot on the garage door. I haven't figured out yet what I'll do with it, may take me a few days to figure it out. For now it's gettin cleaned up and rewired, see how much resistance we can get out of the system. I'm thinking 4x 18650's and an hid kit. If it fits in a mag itll fit in this thing. I'm stoked, this thing is really cool.

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