Thinking about a Flashlight mod

[Grimtooth]

So I'm thinking about doing a flashlight mod...

Yea I'm a noob but I'm a brave noob.

Does anyone have any suggestions, .. I'm looking at one of these 2 lights because I like the side switch compared to the switch on the bottom of the barrel ..

SmallSun ZY-C33 Stainless Steel Cree Q5-WC
DealExtreme: $23.50 SmallSun ZY-C33 Stainless Steel Cree Q5-WC 170-Lumen LED Flashlight with Holster (3*AAA)

or

Superfire 2xCR123A CREE
DealExtreme: $22.96 Superfire 2xCR123A CREE Flashlight

I was kinda looking for something that I could Serial 2x CR123 3.0 V's into, but being a noob I am absolutely open to suggestions.. is there a current favorite flashlight to play with by you pro's?

Thoughts?

Grim

 

[Sci]

For your 1st one, why not got with one of these: Aluminum Tube Flashlight,
Take a look here for a drawing on how it's done & a pic of a completed one: Flashlight how to.

Try knocking out a couple of these before you go dropping $20-$30 on a flashlight. There are some really sharp ones for a lot cheaper.

Post pics when you get it made.

 

[candre23]

Try knocking out a couple of these before you go dropping $20-$30 on a flashlight. There are some really sharp ones for a lot cheaper.

+1

Multi-cell mods are significantly more dangerous and require more care with regard to design and assembly. Start small. You can get a single AA flashlight for under $5 that will take a protected 14500 without modification. All you need to add is a switch and an atty connector. Once you're familiar with the process, then you can start to think about HV mods.

 

[WillyB]

So I'm thinking about doing a flashlight mod...

Yea I'm a noob but I'm a brave noob.

Does anyone have any suggestions, .. I'm looking at one of these 2 lights because I like the side switch compared to the switch on the bottom of the barrel ..

SmallSun ZY-C33 Stainless Steel Cree Q5-WC
DealExtreme: $23.50 SmallSun ZY-C33 Stainless Steel Cree Q5-WC 170-Lumen LED Flashlight with Holster (3*AAA)

Thoughts?

Grim

That's a nice looking light. You could make a very professional looking PV with it. It should easily hold a 18500 which will provide lots of run time.

 

[theknifemaker]

I got this one off of fleabay Black 6V Xenon Tailcap Police Flashlight Torch w/CR123A - eBay (item 150396860757 end time Apr-09-10 23:03:00 PDT) Was so impressed with it have been using it as a flaslight (definetly quality). Built like a brick house and would make a nice mod and has momentary switch built in that does not click to stay on. Very nice and priced at 8.25 (free shipping) good for a mod or a flashlight and 2 free cr/123 batteries to boot (3 v not for vaping though).

 

[WillyB]

I got this one off of fleabay Black 6V Xenon Tailcap Police Flashlight Torch w/CR123A - eBay (item 150396860757 end time Apr-09-10 23:03:00 PDT) Was so impressed with it have been using it as a flaslight (definetly quality). Built like a brick house and would make a nice mod and has momentary switch built in that does not click to stay on. Very nice and priced at 8.25 (free shipping) good for a mod or a flashlight and 2 free cr/123 batteries to boot (3 v not for vaping though).

It's been used a few times. Too bulky for my tastes.

 

[theknifemaker]

Yea, agreed its a bit bulky but a great flaslight for the bucks.

 

[Krythis]

I made several of the flashlight mods, but if I were to do it again I would go straight to the copper pipe mod('fog log'). It's easier to work with and you can make it as big as you want. This way you can start off a little bigger and leave yourself some room for easy switch replacement etc.

The problem I had with the flashlights is I would have to cram everything in there and epoxied the top to hold the negative connection better. It couldn't hold a 5v regulator and I was frying switches. So after making 5-6 flashlights and countless tweaks to each I gave up on the mini-mag mods and have been happy with the copper pipes for a couple weeks now.

 

[Grimtooth]

After surfing these forums and looking at flashlights and laser pointers, I pretty much came to the same conclusion you guys are telling me. Starting with a $25 flashlight for my first try might be overzealous. BUT I really do like the style on that first flashlight so I'm not going to write it off as a future venture.

I went out and bought 2 tubes of plumbers pliable epoxy "Clay" a couple days ago, thinking that going free-form on the first try might be easier? since I wont really have to try to engineer everything into a case.

Plan is to just pick up 1 or 2 18350's, wire them up free-form, and then basically mold around them.

Also thinking about doing a manual switch for now, but if i did do an e-switch... what kind of rating do I need to look for?

Thanks guys,
Grim

 

[WillyB]

I went out and bought 2 tubes of plumbers pliable epoxy "Clay" a couple days ago, thinking that going free-form on the first try might be easier?

Why not just build a very inexpensive flashlight mod your first time out? If you use MadVapes you are looking at about $8 in parts. A good way to hone your skills and you'll end up with a PV that vapes as well as any of the very pricey American mods. You'll also have a kill switch which is rare for American mods.

These 2A switches are decent with a nice feel. They may not survive the drop test though.

Push Button Switch -- Blue

These small 3 1/2" torches can use either a 900mAh 14500 or a 1600mAh 18500 without any major tinkering.

Flashlights

A couple of drilled quarters for your nosepiece, the atty connector of your choice (pressed in tightly) some epoxy and wire and you're good to go.