Blaster, the Next Generation: Luminus Phlatlight SSR-90, 1,750 lumens, Part 2

[Cigarman]

Wayne, as much as I like having a CNC made, coated piece, I have grown exhausted just reading the incendiary war in here with regard to these lights. I will just say screw it and accept a collimated non coated version if it will get the darn thing out the door and it will be useable. At this point, its not worth the constant checking to see if something has happened with regards to progress. Heck a chunk on stainless with a candle sticking out of the end would work by now. I'll consider myself warned next time with new projects.

[ElektroLumens]

Wayne, as much as I like having a CNC made, coated piece, I have grown exhausted just reading the incendiary war in here with regard to these lights. I will just say screw it and accept a collimated non coated version if it will get the darn thing out the door and it will be useable. At this point, its not worth the constant checking to see if something has happened with regards to progress. Heck a chunk on stainless with a candle sticking out of the end would work by now. I'll consider myself warned next time with new projects.

Okay, email me.

(BTW, they are not non-coated, but are anodized clear. You would not want an un-anodized flashlight, gets your hands black with aluminum oxide.)

Wayne

[TomInOregon]

Wayne,
If I understand correctly, this is what you are offering:

1) The light will be hand-made by you.
2) It will be either HAII or HAIII black anodized.
3) We will be able to exchange it for no additional cost for a CNC lathed light as soon as they are available, OR keep the handmade light and purchase a CNC lathed light at a reduced price.
4) The heatsink will be aluminum with a copper core.
5) It will look exactly like the first post (including the fins and knurling) with the following exceptions:
-----A) It will have a reflector with adjustable beam (either modified mag or DX reflector).
-----B) It will be a 3D body with 4D extender.
6) All lights will be tested by you prior to being shipped out.

Is this correct as I've listed the details? There have been so many posts that I'm a little hazy on the current proposal.

My other questions are:

What bin and tint of SST-90 LED will be used?

Which DX reflectors are you planning to use if you can afford it?

Is the insertable optic still an option?

Would I have the option to paypal you enough money to cover the expense of using the DX reflector and a solid copper core if I chose to? If so, how much would you estimate this to be?

Thanks,
Tom

[Cigarman]

Okay, email me.

(BTW, they are not non-coated, but are anodized clear. You would not want an un-anodized flashlight, gets your hands black with aluminum oxide.)

Wayne

Email sent with shipping info etc.

[ElektroLumens]

Wayne,
If I understand correctly, this is what you are offering:

1) The light will be hand-made by you.
2) It will be either HAII or HAIII black anodized.
3) We will be able to exchange it for no additional cost for a CNC lathed light as soon as they are available, OR keep the handmade light and purchase a CNC lathed light at a reduced price.
4) The heatsink will be aluminum with a copper core.
5) It will look exactly like the first post (including the fins and knurling) with the following exceptions:
-----A) It will have a reflector with adjustable beam (either modified mag or DX reflector).
-----B) It will be a 3D body with 4D extender.
6) All lights will be tested by you prior to being shipped out.

Is this correct as I've listed the details? There have been so many posts that I'm a little hazy on the current proposal.

My other questions are:

What bin and tint of SST-90 LED will be used?

Which DX reflectors are you planning to use if you can afford it?

Is the insertable optic still an option?

Would I have the option to paypal you enough money to cover the expense of using the DX reflector and a solid copper core if I chose to? If so, how much would you estimate this to be?

Thanks,
Tom

1) The light will be hand-made by Wayne.
2) It will be HAII black anodized. (no HAIII for these)
3) We will be able to exchange it for no additional cost for a CNC lathed light as soon as they are available, OR keep the handmade light and purchase a CNC lathed light at a reduced price.
4) The heatsink will be aluminum with a copper core.
5) It will look exactly like the first post (including the fins and knurling) with the following exceptions:
-----A) It will have a reflector with adjustable beam (either modified mag or DX reflector).
-----B) It will be a 3D body with 4D extender.
6) All lights will be tested by you prior to being shipped out. I'll try and keep tolerances within .001" to .003", nothing should be loose or wobble or anything like that. I'll toss the parts if they exceed tolerances.


Yes, to all, except HAII anodizing for these.

Whenever I order DX reflectors, I never know when I'm going to get them. However, these are nice and work well, I just have to enlarge the opening. Maglite reflectors work well too, having the tail cut off and opening enlarged. My first choice is to have my own made. Second choice is a aftermarket Mag reflector like the DX one, 3rd choice is a Mag reflector, (except I have a big box of them from all the Mag mods I've done in the past.)

A solid copper sink is not necessary, except, you can never overdo heat sinking. Copper is remarkably expensive when you get into the 1.5" diameter bar.

So far it appears I have no protests.

Wayne

[randyo]

No protest here - just enjoying a few glimmers of light coming from the far end of the tunnel.

[DOOMJESUS]

ok, you can count me in.

but again, how about that collimator? is there no chance of it ever working out with the cnc version?

i will sure miss that, it made the b-ng a really unique product and i've never seen another beam like it.

[TomInOregon]

Okay, it sounds good to me. I would still prefer a solid copper heatsink if it can be done. Odds are my light will be run for long periods at a time and, while it may not be needed, I would feel better with it. I would be willing to pay the difference in cost if machining it won't be a hardship. Either way, this seems like a fair deal and I appreciate the effort to make the situation right.
Thanks,
Tom

[Glenn7]

PM to you Wayne Re FireSword

[AFRANZKY]

Just for the record, I had received one of the hand made lights with the collimator a few months ago. I have used it in the rain on my elk hunt, strapped it to a tripod and field dressed an elk by myself. Usually I would have used one or two coleman lanterns for this job. The light worked flawlessly. Also I am a Machinist, a Tool and Die Maker and a Millwright, which makes me a very good candidate to judge the workmanship on a machined tool of any kind. The workmanship on my light is excellent, period. Any cut threads are of better quality than on any mass produced light that I own. The light has proven itself under very adverse conditions. Wayne accidentally sent me this light when I wanted a hand made unit with a reflector (since I prefer this, just as I prefer my custom made hunting knives over my mass produced ones) so he agreed to send me a reflector unit when one is ready. He suggested that I use this one in the mean time and then send it back only when the other one arrives, and he would reimburse me the postage. That is excellent service. If a machinist is consistant with that quality level, there is no reason to have the work done on a CNC machine. In an industrial setting, it is none of the customers business which machine the parts are made on. The final product is all that matters. If I were making a small order like this, I would plan each machining operation, schedule the time and get it over with. Most people who request CNC made parts have no machining experience themselves and don't realize that the quality is no better than what an experienced machinist can produce on a more "manual" lathe. CNC is just faster.

[jacknife]

WOW, Nice post AFRANSKY . Thanks ..for sharing your knowledge.

[DOOMJESUS]

Just for the record, I had received one of the hand made lights with the collimator a few months ago. I have used it in the rain on my elk hunt, strapped it to a tripod and field dressed an elk by myself. Usually I would have used one or two coleman lanterns for this job. The light worked flawlessly. Also I am a Machinist, a Tool and Die Maker and a Millwright, which makes me a very good candidate to judge the workmanship on a machined tool of any kind. The workmanship on my light is excellent, period. Any cut threads are of better quality than on any mass produced light that I own. The light has proven itself under very adverse conditions. Wayne accidentally sent me this light when I wanted a hand made unit with a reflector (since I prefer this, just as I prefer my custom made hunting knives over my mass produced ones) so he agreed to send me a reflector unit when one is ready. He suggested that I use this one in the mean time and then send it back only when the other one arrives, and he would reimburse me the postage. That is excellent service. If a machinist is consistant with that quality level, there is no reason to have the work done on a CNC machine. In an industrial setting, it is none of the customers business which machine the parts are made on. The final product is all that matters. If I were making a small order like this, I would plan each machining operation, schedule the time and get it over with. Most people who request CNC made parts have no machining experience themselves and don't realize that the quality is no better than what an experienced machinist can produce on a more "manual" lathe. CNC is just faster.

i'm happy for you, that you got a nice one.

it wouldn't take a machinist to see that the one i got in july probably wouldn't have lived very long in the rain. you would have been just as diappointed as i was if you'd seen it, perhaps moreso given your experience. on the other hand i don't know to what extent the rubber boot over the switch keeps water out. for all i know the switch beneath is protected by some other gizmo.

prior to that i felt much the same as you on the subject and i still believe it can be done properly "by hand". if i hadn't wanted a personally crafted product, i could have easily looked in a hundred other places.

i do take Wayne at his word, that he is going to pay much closer attention to the parts that leave his shop in the future, otherwise i wouldn't have agreed to stay in this deal...

[ElektroLumens]

Just wanted to post and say I'm here, and reading posts. Giving time for comments or suggestions or criticism or complaints, whatever.

I do, finally, have something regarding the run of CNC machined parts. As I said before, I've been working on a deal that will be big, and really give me a boost financially. Well, this will be concluded beginning of December, first week. So mid December, I can place order for the parts, and commence with that aspect of the Blaster-NG project. Until yesterday I did not have an idea of exactly when this would concluded.

I'm trying to wrap up the work I'm presently engaged in, and them begin the machining process for the Blasters. It's obvious I cannot botch this or my name will be mud. Oh, my name is already mud. Well, I guess it will get baked and become bricks. Anyway, I'm really busy finishing up what I'm working on now.

Initially I will say, end of November for the manual lathed Blasters. For the CNC run, because of the holiday season, that will really slow things down. I can place the order mid December, but, I will have to find out how long it will take to get the parts, in January some time. This schedule may need to be revised a bit.

As has been noted, I do have some Blaster parts made. These are 3D cells, and are designed for the optics. If someone wants one of these, that's fine. Rather than modify the heads to work with the reflectors, I may opt just to start from scratch, make all parts new.


I'll try and keep up good correspondence to those who email me, and try to keep current with postings here.

............................................Wayne

[squint]

Just for the record, I had received one of the hand made lights with the collimator a few months ago. I have used it in the rain on my elk hunt, strapped it to a tripod and field dressed an elk by myself. Usually I would have used one or two coleman lanterns for this job. The light worked flawlessly. Also I am a Machinist, a Tool and Die Maker and a Millwright, which makes me a very good candidate to judge the workmanship on a machined tool of any kind. The workmanship on my light is excellent, period. Any cut threads are of better quality than on any mass produced light that I own. The light has proven itself under very adverse conditions. Wayne accidentally sent me this light when I wanted a hand made unit with a reflector (since I prefer this, just as I prefer my custom made hunting knives over my mass produced ones) so he agreed to send me a reflector unit when one is ready. He suggested that I use this one in the mean time and then send it back only when the other one arrives, and he would reimburse me the postage. That is excellent service. If a machinist is consistant with that quality level, there is no reason to have the work done on a CNC machine. In an industrial setting, it is none of the customers business which machine the parts are made on. The final product is all that matters. If I were making a small order like this, I would plan each machining operation, schedule the time and get it over with. Most people who request CNC made parts have no machining experience themselves and don't realize that the quality is no better than what an experienced machinist can produce on a more "manual" lathe. CNC is just faster.

##############################I had to stop lurking to second this notion. I received my hand machined, clear, optic version, bl ng 2-3 months ago. Threading and machining is very good. The only weak point I can agree with is the rubber switch boot but I think a little contact cement around that and it appears fully dunkable. Also throw is more than sufficent in most situations with the optic imho. Take that for what its worth. Simplicity has its merits.

[randyo]

Wayne - the offer to take one of the already milled units with the optic - will these be black or clear ano?

[ElektroLumens]

Wayne - the offer to take one of the already milled units with the optic - will these be black or clear ano?

I have 20 that are already partially made. These will be clear anodized only. I have about 6 customers who have requested one of these. I have 2 more cancels, with a remaining 22 to do as a run, that will be black anodized, 1D adapter, etc.

I think it might be best to start with all new parts, to make the Blasters according to my most recent design, using a reflector, 1D extender, etc. It's difficult to modify the already finished parts without damaging them. I will use the remaining 14 I've already made for something else, maybe a Cree MCE or something like that.

I will be buying the aluminum, and should have it by Wednesday, and begin the machining operations. Only 22 to actually make in the run. If I do all operations at one time, it will make things more uniform, and parts will be interchangeable. I probably need to work an extra 4 hours per day until I get all the machine work done.

For the others, that is, those who want one of the 3D clear anodized with a collimator, I can work on those and finish them up and get them shipped before the others.

Hope that all makes sense. It's sort of jumbled.

That's pretty much where it's at right now.

Wayne

[ElektroLumens]

I ordered the aluminum for the Blaster-NG, but it was back ordered. It may arrive today or tomorrow, and I'll begin machining.

Wayne

[ElektroLumens]

October 29, 2010

I only just yesterday received the aluminum to make the parts for the Blaster-NG. I ordered it early last week. Anyway, beginning to work on it now. I'll try and post every few days if not more often on progress.

Today I'll be cutting the 2.5" bar into 3" long sections, to be the heads. Also will cut body sections.

I'm considering a Blaster-NG progress web page, for your ease of reference of progress.

Wayne

[FLHTCUSE3]

Thanks Wayne,

Thread has made a positive turn.

Keats

[ElektroLumens]

10/29/2010, 5:58pm Update

I will be using the 21 finished Blaster-NG bodies, and 21 tail caps. I figured out a way to use the existing bodies without having to re-machine the threading. : Rather than re-machine the tubes, which inevitable would damage the exterior finish, I had opted to not use them and make new parts . However, I did some recalculations, re-designed the tube extender, so it works with the existing bodies. This will save me a lot of time, not having to make the bodies again. I do need to make 10 more, as I have to make 31 total.

Wayne

[DOOMJESUS]

October 29, 2010

I only just yesterday received the aluminum to make the parts for the Blaster-NG. I ordered it early last week. Anyway, beginning to work on it now. I'll try and post every few days if not more often on progress.

Today I'll be cutting the 2.5" bar into 3" long sections, to be the heads. Also will cut body sections.

I'm considering a Blaster-NG progress web page, for your ease of reference of progress.

Wayne

that would be nice because i am sure we are all still checking in here daily...

[DOOMJESUS]

10/29/2010, 5:58pm Update

I will be using the 21 finished Blaster-NG bodies, and 21 tail caps. I figured out a way to use the existing bodies without having to re-machine the threading. : Rather than re-machine the tubes, which inevitable would damage the exterior finish, I had opted to not use them and make new parts . However, I did some recalculations, re-designed the tube extender, so it works with the existing bodies. This will save me a lot of time, not having to make the bodies again. I do need to make 10 more, as I have to make 31 total.

Wayne

i didn't see this one until after my last reply.

so you finally got the new aluminum today and just today came up with a way that you don't have to use it?
i don't get it, why couldn't you have done that two or three weeks ago?

[Hammer Train]

i didn't see this one until after my last reply.

so you finally got the new aluminum today and just today came up with a way that you don't have to use it?
i don't get it, why couldn't you have done that two or three weeks ago?

Wouldn't it be wonderful to come up with ideas sooner that we actually do?!!!

PERHAPS THE CORRECT RESPONSE SHOULD BE 'WOW THAT'S GREAT NEWS!'

[Chicago X]

Wouldn't it be wonderful to come up with ideas sooner that we actually do?!!!

PERHAPS THE CORRECT RESPONSE SHOULD BE 'WOW THAT'S GREAT NEWS!'

What happened to this?

Refund sent to you Jos. Sorry buddy. Last post from me on cpfmarketplace.

Go away now.

[ElektroLumens]

i didn't see this one until after my last reply.

so you finally got the new aluminum today and just today came up with a way that you don't have to use it?
i don't get it, why couldn't you have done that two or three weeks ago?

I guess I didn't explain very well? I am using a large percentage of the aluminum I just purchased, for parts I still need to make. I need to make a total of 31 Blaster-NG flashlights.

I'm just trying to keep you guys informed of what's going on. I thought somebody might be happy to know I have a bunch of parts made already. ? I didn't expect a over it. I thought I'd get a or , not a



EL

[Glenn7]

Chin up Wayne the worlds full of varooka salts

[Zot]

I guess I didn't explain very well? I am using a large percentage of the aluminum I just purchased, for parts I still need to make. I need to make a total of 31 Blaster-NG flashlights.

I'm just trying to keep you guys informed of what's going on. I thought somebody might be happy to know I have a bunch of parts made already. ? I didn't expect a over it. I thought I'd get a or , not a



EL

[ElektroLumens]

Chin up Wayne the worlds full of varooka salts

Thanks for your support.

We should refrain from name calling people names, or poking fun at someone, right?

Wayne

[Glenn7]

Thanks for your support.

We should refrain from name calling people names, or poking fun at someone, right?

Wayne

you are right "sorry" - but sometimes a gentle bit of truth will set you free actually it was for us all as just a little reminder that we cant "I WANT IT NOW!" always.

(BTW varooka salt was from willy wonka's chocolate factory)

[Vortus]

With the redesign of the extenders, will they be made available (for a price) for those of us who already have our BNGs since they will fit now?