How to change the switch in your M1X tailcap + Re-soldering the Spring:
Thanks to John from J2Led for letting me know about this one:
Cover the whole end of the tailcap with a soft, but thick enough rag (folding it works best.)
I used a painter's rag folded in four.
Grab the end ring with your pliers through the rag. The rag is supposed to absorb the pressure and movement of the pliers to prevent any scratching.
Hold the tailcap directly with your hand underneath the rag while turning either the pliers or the cap itself counter-clockwise. Mine was solidly in place, but I got it on the first try without excessive effort.
Very simple assembly. I'll still walk you through the re-assembly procedure since I already have the pictures.
I had to get my switch assembly out to re-solder the spring… it shouldn't be in two pieces like this:
I set my iron at 650 degrees Fahrenheit and put a few drops of flux to get the nice shiny, healthy looking solder all around the base onto the contact, rather than just the two point solder that was on it. I also stretched the spring a little while I had it loose.
Now for re-assembling, which is very simple:
Tailcap with the threads down (sorry for the dark pictures, I was trying a different light source)
Insert the switch with the spring downwards – make sure it sits properly
Insert the plastic spacer
Insert the boot. You might need a small screwdriver to make sure all the rubber gets under the lip, otherwise you could run into a problem when tightening the ring.
This might be a good time to lube the o-ring. The threads don't really need to be cleaned on this end.
Screw the ring by hand as far as you can while keeping the whole assembly face down, then tighten using the same rag and plier technique as before
That simple! Not a single scratch!
Thanks to John from J2Led for letting me know about this one:
Cover the whole end of the tailcap with a soft, but thick enough rag (folding it works best.)
I used a painter's rag folded in four.
Grab the end ring with your pliers through the rag. The rag is supposed to absorb the pressure and movement of the pliers to prevent any scratching.
Hold the tailcap directly with your hand underneath the rag while turning either the pliers or the cap itself counter-clockwise. Mine was solidly in place, but I got it on the first try without excessive effort.
Very simple assembly. I'll still walk you through the re-assembly procedure since I already have the pictures.
I had to get my switch assembly out to re-solder the spring… it shouldn't be in two pieces like this:
I set my iron at 650 degrees Fahrenheit and put a few drops of flux to get the nice shiny, healthy looking solder all around the base onto the contact, rather than just the two point solder that was on it. I also stretched the spring a little while I had it loose.
Now for re-assembling, which is very simple:
Tailcap with the threads down (sorry for the dark pictures, I was trying a different light source)
Insert the switch with the spring downwards – make sure it sits properly
Insert the plastic spacer
Insert the boot. You might need a small screwdriver to make sure all the rubber gets under the lip, otherwise you could run into a problem when tightening the ring.
This might be a good time to lube the o-ring. The threads don't really need to be cleaned on this end.
Screw the ring by hand as far as you can while keeping the whole assembly face down, then tighten using the same rag and plier technique as before
That simple! Not a single scratch!
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