Upgrade has arrived

[Apachemike]

Just received my new addition also. Congratulations

 

[mcbrat]

First light off the new lathe. 18650 with an optic engine made by Devin (Thetasigma). Material is nickel silver.

well, I wasn't happy with the thread engagement on this one, so I made a new body for it, then proceeded to re-work the exterior design, and accidently demolished this light..... I may be able to salvage it into an 18350. we shall see...

 

[Thetasigma]

That is unfortunate, how bad was the damage? This stuff is like brass, very grabby.

 

[mcbrat]

That is unfortunate, how bad was the damage? This stuff is like brass, very grabby.

I had the head/body screwed together, using the head as the holder and when it grabbed, it yanked the body out, damaging the threads on both pieces, plus a nice gouge in the body. I had lots of thread engagement length wise, but tolerances were pretty loose.

 

[mcbrat]

Got this now too, but haven't had any time to play around yet.....

 

[DrafterDan]

This is going to be great. That unit looks clean!
On the mill I use (my fathers), I am up against the problem of making a 'poor mans' 90° turntable, or just buying a relatively inexpensive unit. Invaluable for putting cool details on the body, but to achieve it's max effectiveness, it needs to be able to rotate to specific degrees - reliably

 

[Nitroz]

Wow! You went from mini lathe to all out big guns! I think you have a sickness.

Nice choice of tools!

 

[gadget_lover]

This is going to be great. That unit looks clean!
On the mill I use (my fathers), I am up against the problem of making a 'poor mans' 90° turntable, or just buying a relatively inexpensive unit. Invaluable for putting cool details on the body, but to achieve it's max effectiveness, it needs to be able to rotate to specific degrees - reliably

Look for a "spin indexer". It allows you to rotate to any specific angle. ( 0 to 360 degrees. ) Fairly cheap (under $50) , but often use 5c collets to hold your work.

Dan

 

[mcbrat]

well, I wasn't happy with the thread engagement on this one, so I made a new body for it, then proceeded to re-work the exterior design, and accidently demolished this light..... I may be able to salvage it into an 18350. we shall see...

Salvage Completed.

 

[Thetasigma]

Personally I think the rework looks better, particularly the head which has a sort of classy look with the lines on the ends

 

[DrafterDan]

I like it McB, well done! Is that switch held in from the outside, or a screw-in bit from the inside?

I also like Gadget's suggestion of a Spin Indexer. Didn't know those existed. Now I have more things filling up my watch list in ebay....

 

[mcbrat]

I like it McB, well done! Is that switch held in from the outside, or a screw-in bit from the inside?

I also like Gadget's suggestion of a Spin Indexer. Didn't know those existed. Now I have more things filling up my watch list in ebay....

Switch is screwed in from outside.

Yes, I looked at all the cheap spin indexers, then watched all the videos for how everyone was modifying them to work better and be more precise, so I opted for a used Japanese made one that was in good shape and had a good reputation.

 

[mcbrat]

And another. 18650 this time, and Legos with mac/Hanko.

 

[Exeter354]

That is some good looking work Mick!!!

 

[mcbrat]

 

[Tejasandre]

Goodness. Looking good!

 

[mcbrat]

a couple more 18650s made.
first pic is the nickel silver one I finished tonight.
second pic is it with the brass 18650, then some other pics to show color differences.

 

[egginator1]

Very nice!! They look great!

 

[precisionworks]

I had the head/body screwed together, using the head as the holder and when it grabbed, it yanked the body out, damaging the threads on both pieces, plus a nice gouge in the body. I had lots of thread engagement length wise, but tolerances were pretty loose.

You may want to try one of these next time, lots cheaper & much better grip & centering (around 0.0005" more or less). About the best $50 you can spend, I use them all the time for holding thin hollow tubes (sounds like a flashlight ) They also allow holding bezels & other fragile parts.

http://www.breakhearttool.com/product/BTC-HEA-SET-1

 

[precisionworks]

Switch is screwed in from outside.
... I opted for a used Japanese made one that was in good shape and had a good reputation.

Sounds like a Yuasa, very nice quality. I have a Suburban Spin-Master 5C, sold on eBay as a "lathe with missing parts". That was a good buy for $25, new old stock.

https://www.subtool.com/st/sm5c_spin-master_spin_index_fixture.html