Homemade flashlight

[737mechanic]

Thanks Harold, don't know why I like flashlights so much I think maybe because I have to rely on them almost every day at work.

Here are a couple more pics to get an idea of size. All I need now is a anodizing setup like coal miner.

I will add a pic of the beamshot of the mag light clone tonight to show how much brighter these LED's are compared to a 6 volt Zenon bulb.

[Harold_V]

Thanks! They're much smaller than I had imagined. All the more impressive, at least in my opinion.

I hope to get set up for anodizing in the future. It would be very useful.

Harold

[Pressco]

I love that skinny one!

The p7 looks more night friendly to me. The xpg looks like it would wash out the terrain, but the smaller size is neat. How far from the fence are the lights in those photos?

What are you using for batteries? On the highest settings, do you know how long they will last? I'm looking for something that will last a minimum of 2 straight hours - I'm having to think about heat as well, and I was thinking of fins like you see on some air-cooled motors. If that's even necessary I don't know, but it would probably look cool anyway!

Does the driver have a "low bat" indicator where it blinks or switches to low mode?

Thanks for your recommendations. This is really giving me some good ideas!! :D

What color are you going to ano them? The stainless end will look so awesome with the flashlight body colored!

[coal miner]

Harold and all , some size comparisons of the various light combos that I have done .



The silver one - a 2 cell D size w/ 6 AA's and a 9V incandescent bulb , The tall green one is a 2 cell C size w/ 3-CR123A and a Q-5 emitter , the wine colored one is a 2-cell C size that has been shortened 1.400" that takes 2 CR123A batts and an R-2 emitter ,The other 2 are 2 and 3 cell CR123 w/ Q-5 emitters . This has turned into a little bit of an addiction , but haven't been able to keep any for me , seems everyone wants one . A good project to keep the all- timers away .
737 a fine looking lite w / the flutes against the knurling . Yes , these lites redefine what battery illumination has progressed to . Knock your eyes out !

[Harold_V]

Thanks for the picture and descriptions, coal miner. Nice collection!

Astounding, the difference in lights since high intensity LED's were developed.

I'm now beginning to wonder how much longer incandescent lights of any description will continue to be made. Modern technology clearly has them outdated.

Harold

[Praetor coda]

Cool torch, man. I just started making a flashlight from 304 stainless steel. it's actually an enlarged version of a particular River Rock flashlight (I like the design of this flashlight). I was inspired by the CPF article: "Introduction to modifying flashlights" by wquiles I'm at a dead stop because I am awaiting an order of the flashlight innards from:

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/ ... .relevence

My parts consists of:

1 12721 SSC P7 C-Bin LED Emitter with 21mm Heat Sink Base (3.6V~3.7V) x1 Pending $12.90
1 25505 1.5V~4.2V 3W Cree Circuit Board for Flashlights (16.7mm*5.6mm) x1 Pending $2.19
1 05588 Clicky Switch for Flashlights (11mm 5-Pack) x1 Pending $1.90
1 05632 Clicky Switch for Flashlights (16mm 5-Pack) x1 Pending $1.94
1 05742 Silicone Tailcaps for Flashlights (14mm Black / 10-Pack) x1 Pending $1.71
1 07319 Water-tight Glow-in-the-Dark Silicone O-Ring Seals Blue (18mm 20-Pack GITD).

All came to $22.93 with free shipping but please if these parts aren't satisfactory for a good, bright, torch...remember, it's my first homemade flashlight. I'm thinking of adding a [USB] flashdrive in the [belt] clip, I'm not sure yet (I'm an IT and I use flash lights and drives...a lot)

[coal miner]

I'm thinking of adding a [USB] flashdrive in the [belt] clip, I'm not sure yet (I'm an IT and I use flash lights and drives...a lot)

Not sure what the flash drive will do for the flash lite . Perhaps you could enlighten me . You have a good start on your new lite , and once the parts get in comes the fun part . Lots of measuring and turning . What battery config are you going to use ?

[Praetor coda]

Thanks for the response/input. As an IT person, I make it a habit to carry both flashlights and drives. Sometimes the server rack systems can get pretty dark the further in the rats nest, of wires, you go, also, I am always downloading all sorts of programs (mostly on the go). The flashdrive will not be doing anything for the flashlight but the flashlight will be storing the drive in it's belt clip (again, maybe). It's a relatively small drive:

http://www.cyberguys.com/product-detail ... age=page-1

Note it's dimensions.

I haven't settled on a battery config yet, it's between
1 x Surefire SF123A 3 Volt (buuut it's small) or 1 x 26500 LiMn; 2300 mAh, I am certain that i may have to stick with this one because of its dimension to the battery compartment of the flashlight I'm making and/or I can make an extension for the Surefire to interchange between the two batteries if need be. depends on how much fun I want to have in doing so

[NorrisM]

That P7 flashlight looks great as do all the others. I never knew a flashlight could be that bright. It makes me want to go buy a new flashlight or some parts to make one.