My Custom Flashlight Builds

[Slick]

After I first blew-out my lower back, I'd hoped to get surgery and be back into building custom motorcycles again, so I was looking for a short-term hobby to keep my mind from melting down.

I always hated how when I put new batteries in a flashlight, they work great for about 10 minutes - then I spend the next hour or so deciding on whether or not to replace them with fresh ones. I wanted a light that burned at a consistant brightness that would far outlast anything in current production.

Lumileds came out with a "Luxeon Star" LED several years ago that was destined to change the history of flashlights. It's just in the past year or so that I've begun to see commercial offerings with Luxeon Stars - so I'm damed sure glad that I took the time to design and build a number of various flashlights. I actually met and surpassed many of my goals while I was doing this.

Here they are, enjoy->

http://www.drinkfromthefirehose.com/flashlights.htm

PLEASE keep in mind that I built these a long time ago, before capping on me for building something that can now be bought in stores. :mrgreen:

[dutigaf]

ha ha didnt even know you posted this here bub...

[Kali Komrade]

You know back in the day when they first started coming out with these styled lights there was a company manufacturing retro fit kits for the Mag lights now nobody carries them...

Any Ideas Slick...

[Slick]

You know back in the day when they first started coming out with these styled lights there was a company manufacturing retro fit kits for the Mag lights now nobody carries them...

Any Ideas Slick...

They quit making those because they were NOT properly "heatsinked" - an consequently they burned out... That's why I built all my lights on proper heat-sink slugs - per Lumileds engineering specifications.

Anyways, you can go out and BUY a Mag-lite that's Luxeon powered (from WalMart) now-a-days. Fortunately - they *still* aren't nowhere as bright as the mods that I built - so I don't feel bad for spending so much in building them.

[dutigaf]

you shouldnt cause it made you happy and gave you the feeling of doing something well.

and thats what matters.

[Kali Komrade]

Oh well guess I'll just have to buy a complete unit again I guess... I never really needed them for the brightness I mainly used the blunt end for beatin' on things.... :mrgreen:

[Slick]

Oh well guess I'll just have to buy a complete unit again I guess... I never really needed them for the brightness I mainly used the blunt end for beatin' on things.... :mrgreen:

You know, I could have swore that I saw the LED (Luxeon) replacement "bulb" sold at Walmart the other day... That said - I think for the money spent, buying a light that was designed for the Luxeon would be the way to go. You'll get SUPER battery-life either way, but the purpose-built light will be able to run brighter as a benefit of proper heatsinking.

[Kali Komrade]

yeah... I think I'm gonna need a whole new light this time... The mag light I've had for twenty years is just too darn worn out... The rubber switch cover is almost cracked through... I think it's time for a new one... My buddy next store to my bay whom is a mechanic has those streamlights man are they nice... Compact and bright but just not heavy enough to knock someone out.... :thinking:

[Slick]

The rubber switch cover is almost cracked through... I think it's time for a new one...

The Mag's are gauranteed for "life" - so all you should have to do is contact them and ask for a new rubber switch cover.. I did, and they just sent me one. :bounce:

[Kali Komrade]

Really well hell then I got a the 5D battery model I gotta send back to them because I can't get the switch to work either... Didn't know they backed them that way... I'll have to find them all and send them in...

Thanks for that info... Well the rubber switch I can fix myself but my 5d model I have no idea whats going on with that one... Such a simple tool but I think its in the switch... :banghead:

[Slick]

Really well hell then I got a the 5D battery model I gotta send back to them because I can't get the switch to work either...

They will just send you a new switch..

The switch comes out by inserting the proper size allen wrench into the hole under the rubber switch cover (in the middle of the switch). Once the set screw is loosened - it just dumps out like a battery... The whole repair takes ~about 30 seconds.

[Kali Komrade]

Wow cool if I new it was that easy I would have done it years ago... Thanks Slick... :shock:

[Slick]

Wow cool if I new it was that easy I would have done it years ago... Thanks Slick... :shock:

No problem... it's an "easy google" - but let me know if you have any problems. I don't have the specific info (of the wrench size on hand) but could find it - if you need it.

[GUNRUNNER5150]

hey guys i got a custom flashlight build to try

check this out - laser maglite that can light a match!

http://digg.com/lbv.php?id=2698373&ord=1

[Slick]

hey guys i got a custom flashlight build to try

check this out - laser maglite that can light a match!

http://digg.com/lbv.php?id=2698373&ord=1

Yup! That's how you turn a Mini-mag flashlight into a trip to the hospital! - so don't foget to pick up a set of YAG goggles! too...

Don't say I didn't warn you (even though the video didn't)! :shock: