Hey guys,
I started getting tired of the same ole thing...aluminum, that is. I started considering other materials to make lights with. Of course, Titanium was the first thing I considered; however, its cost and lack of thermal conductivity steered me away from it. Besides, it's already been done.
While searching for a new material to use, I stumbled across aluminum bronze. More specifically CDA-954 aluminum bronze. As I researched it, I found that it is used to make flood gate chains, in torpedo tubes, and aircraft landing gear. I figured the stuff had to be pretty tough.
My next concern was thermal conductivity. Well, it isn't as good as aluminum. In fact, it isn't as good as even brass, which isn't all that great, but it is a lot better than titanium.
In its raw state, it looks a whole lot like brass, but the similarities stop there. This stuff is hard. Really hard, and this was evidenced when I started to turn the stuff in my lathe and then again later when I added the knurling.
Anyway, below are pics of what I came up with. It is, of course, nothing complicated. Just a simple sandwiche compatible light with an IMS 17mm reflector and a 1.5mm mineral glass lens.
The next pic is of the light next to my modded E1e, for size comparison.
In this next pic, I decided to treat the material with an acid based cold bluing compound that I use to doctor my .45s.
The effect may be considered to be pleasing to some.
And of course, the obligatory beam shot, 20' from a white wall.
I'd also like to mention something about the toughness of this metal. It was late when I finished the body for the light, and I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been when parting the body off. When the body broke loose, it swung down in the lathe and was knocked clear when it was hit by one of the (relatively) massive jaws on my 5" chuck. The only damage that was done was a VERY minor ding that I have to look for to see.
Another thing I noticed was its greater scratch resistance as compared to T6 6061 aluminum. Not that this is a testament or anything, but just an observation. When I first started doing bare aluminum lights, I'd polish the light on the lathe, then wash it with soap and water. When I used a toothbrush on the polished surface of the T6, the bristles would actually leave marks, so I had to limit the washing to using a soft cloth. I had no such problems with the aluminum bronze.
I think I'm going to have to make a couple of heads for the McR20 and McR27 with this material. It should go nicely with Surefire bodies in either bright yellow or even the "treated" darker color.
Thanks for looking,
I started getting tired of the same ole thing...aluminum, that is. I started considering other materials to make lights with. Of course, Titanium was the first thing I considered; however, its cost and lack of thermal conductivity steered me away from it. Besides, it's already been done.
While searching for a new material to use, I stumbled across aluminum bronze. More specifically CDA-954 aluminum bronze. As I researched it, I found that it is used to make flood gate chains, in torpedo tubes, and aircraft landing gear. I figured the stuff had to be pretty tough.
My next concern was thermal conductivity. Well, it isn't as good as aluminum. In fact, it isn't as good as even brass, which isn't all that great, but it is a lot better than titanium.
In its raw state, it looks a whole lot like brass, but the similarities stop there. This stuff is hard. Really hard, and this was evidenced when I started to turn the stuff in my lathe and then again later when I added the knurling.
Anyway, below are pics of what I came up with. It is, of course, nothing complicated. Just a simple sandwiche compatible light with an IMS 17mm reflector and a 1.5mm mineral glass lens.
The next pic is of the light next to my modded E1e, for size comparison.
In this next pic, I decided to treat the material with an acid based cold bluing compound that I use to doctor my .45s.
The effect may be considered to be pleasing to some.
And of course, the obligatory beam shot, 20' from a white wall.
I'd also like to mention something about the toughness of this metal. It was late when I finished the body for the light, and I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been when parting the body off. When the body broke loose, it swung down in the lathe and was knocked clear when it was hit by one of the (relatively) massive jaws on my 5" chuck. The only damage that was done was a VERY minor ding that I have to look for to see.
Another thing I noticed was its greater scratch resistance as compared to T6 6061 aluminum. Not that this is a testament or anything, but just an observation. When I first started doing bare aluminum lights, I'd polish the light on the lathe, then wash it with soap and water. When I used a toothbrush on the polished surface of the T6, the bristles would actually leave marks, so I had to limit the washing to using a soft cloth. I had no such problems with the aluminum bronze.
I think I'm going to have to make a couple of heads for the McR20 and McR27 with this material. It should go nicely with Surefire bodies in either bright yellow or even the "treated" darker color.
Thanks for looking,