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       #Post#: 115--------------------------------------------------
       diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: gords1001 Date: March 17, 2013, 2:32 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I will add that I have since built up another host
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1674
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1674
       this one is even easier to build, sorry no pictures as yet but I
       will do a strip down and reassembly if anyone wishes. if
       anything I recommend this over the d5 as an easy first build,
       mine was completed in less than 15 minutes lol.
       These hosts give you a chance to both build your own custom
       light, and own a light of premium brand quality,  with the
       options you wish for at a budget price. For more hosts please
       check here
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/search.php?encode=YTo0OntzOjg6ImNhdGVnb3J5IjtzOjE6IjAiO3M6ODoia2V5d29yZHMiO3M6NDoiaG9zdCI7czoxMDoiaW1hZ2VGaWVsZCI7czoxOiIgIjtzOjE4OiJzZWFyY2hfZW5jb2RlX3RpbWUiO2k6MTM2MzQyOTk2Nzt9
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/search.php?encode=YTo0OntzOjg6ImNhdGVnb3J5IjtzOjE6IjAiO3M6ODoia2V5d29yZHMiO3M6NDoiaG9zdCI7czoxMDoiaW1hZ2VGaWVsZCI7czoxOiIgIjtzOjE4OiJzZWFyY2hfZW5jb2RlX3RpbWUiO2k6MTM2MzQyOTk2Nzt9
       [html]<p><span style="font-size: 12px;">for now, I shall just
       link to my original post </span><a
       href="
  HTML http://budgetlightforum.com/node/19210#node-19210"<br
       />target="_blank">
  HTML http://budgetlightforum.com/node/19210#node-19210</a><br<br
       />style="font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><br
       style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-size: 12px;">I will
       add that I have since built up another host </span><a
       href="
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1674"<br
       />target="_blank">
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1674</a><br<br
       />style="font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><spa
       n
       style="font-size: 12px;">this one is even easier to build, sorry
       no pictures as yet but I will do a strip down and reassembly if
       anyone wishes. if anything I recommend this over the d5 as an
       easy first build, mine was completed in less than 15 minutes
       lol. </span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-size:
       12px;" /><span style="font-size: 12px;">These hosts give you a
       chance to both build your own custom light, and own a light of
       premium brand quality,  with the options you wish for at a
       budget price. For more hosts please check here </span><a
       href="
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/search.php?encode=YTo0OntzOjg6ImNhdGVnb3J5IjtzOjE6IjAiO3M6ODoia2V5d29yZHMiO3M6NDoiaG9zdCI7czoxMDoiaW1hZ2VGaWVsZCI7czoxOiIgIjtzOjE4OiJzZWFyY2hfZW5jb2RlX3RpbWUiO2k6MTM2MzQyOTk2Nzt9"<br
       />target="_blank">
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/search.php?encode=YTo0OntzOjg6ImNhdGVnb3J5IjtzOjE6IjAiO3M6ODoia2V5d29yZHMiO3M6NDoiaG9zdCI7czoxMDoiaW1hZ2VGaWVsZCI7czoxOiIgIjtzOjE4OiJzZWFyY2hfZW5jb2RlX3RpbWUiO2k6MTM2MzQyOTk2Nzt9</a></p>&#13;<p><br
       /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img style="width:
       1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_211829_zps06ce7963.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_211917_zps135db6df.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">This post, when
       completed will hopefully give people an entrance into assembling
       your own flashlight, the natueal step from or to modding your
       underwhelming budget light.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">My
       subject of analysis shall be the d5 host from cnqg.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><a
       href="
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1339"<br
       />target="_blank">
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1339</a></p>&#13;<p<br
       />style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;">A slightly unusual internally designed light
       but a fine little light in its own right.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;">Now, please dont be under the illusion you
       need a fully fitted workshop to assemble a host or carry out a
       driver/emitter swap.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_193708_zpscd1f80d7.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">As you can see,
       the magic happens on the dining room table, much to mrs
       gord&rsquo;s chagrin. <img class="smiley-content"
       style="border-style: none;" title="Big smile"
       src="
  HTML http://budgetlightforum.com/sites/all/modules/smileys/packs/Roving/bigsmile.png"<br
       />alt="Big smile" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height:
       20px;">There&rsquo;s a few essential tools.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_193725_zps9abf4438.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_193736_zps58afec6d.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">And its best to
       have some supplies, although you can build these up over
       time.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img style="width:
       1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_193801_zpsda43e4bc.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_193817_zpsefc6d624.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">So other than
       my hand tools tote out of my van (pliers, screwdrivers, circlip
       pliers etc) you see everything you need to end up with a
       completed flashlight. Oh, other than a host I guess. <img
       class="smiley-content" style="border-style: none;" title="Big
       smile"
       src="
  HTML http://budgetlightforum.com/sites/all/modules/smileys/packs/Roving/bigsmile.png"<br
       />alt="Big smile" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Lets
       take a look then. The diy hosts I have recieved have all, other
       than the torchlite, arrived in a plain white box, with no
       assembly instructions. You have to suss things out for yourself.
       My advice is to buy a cheap, functional c8, strip it down and
       you&rsquo;ll know how about 95% of lights got
       together.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_193842_zpscf513e3b.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_193912_zps42a83757.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_194138_zps866205e4.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">In the last
       picture, you see all the components that come in the kit,
       including the spare switch and o-rings. Lets have a close look
       at the host and how it fits together.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;">Starting with the head, the star directly
       mounts to the head, check the surface with a finger nail for any
       burs and if you feel any, wrap a stripbof sand paper round an
       appropriate post and rub it smooth.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_194314_zps31b813f9.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Flipping the
       head over</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_194300_zps895964b2.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">We find a press
       fit brass ring that the driver solders into, this forms tge
       negative path for the driver through the host. This brass ring
       contacts with a brass ring in the body tube.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_194159_zps5776a468.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Sadly the tail
       end relies on exposed aluminium to contact the brass in the tail
       cap, so near yet so far.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_194218_zpsf6ed9174.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">For this build
       I chose to use a 2.8a nanjg 2 group driver (17mm diameter) and
       xm-l t6 4c on 20mm star. Lets look at the driver
       first&hellip;</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_194803_zpscc281192.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">As we can see,
       that&rsquo;s not ideal, here&rsquo;s where the previous ly
       mentioned supplies come in, what you need is what seems to be
       called a hoy baffle, a contact board to you and me.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_195118_zpsf1e05ce9.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_195134_zps40beced3.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Forgive the
       solder, I must have tried this one elsewhere, as you can see,
       you have a ground ring and positive centre point, like its made
       for the job <img class="smiley-content" style="border-style:
       none;" title="Smile"
       src="
  HTML http://budgetlightforum.com/sites/all/modules/smileys/packs/Roving/smile.png"<br
       />alt="Smile" /> so now we just have to solder this into the rin
       g
       and then look at the driver itself.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_200716_zpsa95d84aa.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">You can dress
       the excess solder once everything is tested now we need to look
       at the driver itself. Since the host looks built to handle heat
       I decided to add a couple of extra
       7135&rsquo;s&hellip;.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height:
       20px;">I&rsquo;ve still not got this down cold, I either fried
       one of the chips I was adding or one of the chips I was adding
       too. :<img class="smiley-content" style="border-style: none;"
       title="Cool"
       src="
  HTML http://budgetlightforum.com/sites/all/modules/smileys/packs/Roving/cool.png"<br
       />alt="Cool" /> and ended up with a measured tailcap current of
       3.1a.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">I use a heat shunt, mainly
       as it makes holding the chips easier</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_201831_zpsfdc714a9.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">And
       here&rsquo;s a close up of said chip</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_201845_zps95e23aa7.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">I then try to
       solder the top heat sink connection first to locate the
       chip</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img style="width:
       1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_201940_zps527ead99.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Then bend down
       the two outer legs and carefully bridge to the existing chips
       corresponding legs (obviously not carefully enough) <img
       class="smiley-content" style="border-style: none;" title="Stare"
       src="
  HTML http://budgetlightforum.com/sites/all/modules/smileys/packs/Roving/flat.png"<br
       />alt="Stare" /> I intend to get some solder paste to further
       experiment.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">You can also
       see I removed the + spring to make acces easier, this would
       usually be needer but we are connecting a contact board so we
       dont need the spring.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_201954_zpsc71d3a84.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_202139_zpsffe84c58.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">You can see on
       this next picture I bridged two of the legs you can use braid to
       remove the solder or a solder pump.
       <img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_202212_zpsf5d0b357.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_202226_zps309086a1.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Then try again
       (this probably killed the chip &ndash; too much
       heat).</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_202359_zpsc4ac6210.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Once
       we&rsquo;re as happy as we can be, we need to add the link wires
       for the contact board, helping hands are usefull
       here.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img style="width:
       1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_202621_zps6cb8d488.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_202908_zps1a2076a8.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_202922_zps51adeacd.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">And finally
       connect the contact board</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em;
       margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial,
       Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_203108_zpsf6d2ddba.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Before adding
       the + spring</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_203451_zps01ea1c5f.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The driver
       assembly is now ready for feeding into the host, and connecting
       to the star, red to the +, black to the -</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_203625_zpse58edd11.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Pre tin your
       two chosen pads, and the driver wires</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_203723_zps7ad0723b.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_203734_zpsc3425e14.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Then add
       thermal paste/liquid/adhesive onto the star mounting
       face</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img style="width:
       1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_203754_zps61e0fdd0.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">I&rsquo;m using
       a diamond liquid as it had the highest thermal transfer
       properties of the stuff available in my local supplier, its even
       worse than paste at gripping, but in a host where something else
       secures the star, this is not an issue. So locate the
       star,</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img style="width:
       1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_203921_zps3d07b32e.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_203932_zps2080605d.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Feed in the
       driver assembly, taking care to get red to + and black to
       &ndash; then, using tweesers and your iron carefully make the
       last two solder connections.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top:
       0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family:
       Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height:
       20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_204647_zpsa9b602df.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Your light
       engine is now ready, I would test using a cell and meter before
       pressing the brass contact ring in place, once satisfied its
       ring in place, screw in reflector, (very very very carefully)
       add o ring lenses then bezel, screw in body and your ready to
       test.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">My beam shots suck, but
       here&rsquo;s high and low to give a rough idea.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><img style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_211156_zpse2ea0d93.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_211737_zpsa0388061.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The tint is
       close, but I couldn&rsquo;t capture all the lovely usefull
       spill, as you can see though, we have a functional flashlight
       <img class="smiley-content" style="border-style: none;"
       title="Cool"
       src="
  HTML http://budgetlightforum.com/sites/all/modules/smileys/packs/Roving/cool.png"<br
       />alt="Cool" /> just need to fit a nice baby blue gitd tail cap
       rubber and examine the tailswitch assembly, and we&rsquo;re
       done.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;
       margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;
       font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img style="width:
       1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_212156_zps12d8e386.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><img
       style="width: 1386.84375px;"
       src="
  HTML http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x48/gords1001/20130227_212235_zpsf1a8db6d.jpg"<br
       />alt="" /></p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The switch is
       unusual in that its held in that huge brass pill by a nylon
       bush, spring and plunger. Unusual but like the rest of the host
       it feels impressively well made with a good positive action, no
       mushyness or slop. It just finishes off a very satisfying host,
       the best bit, it cost less than $35, its comfortably riding in
       my pocket as of today, and it took less time to take the
       pictures and build the host than it did to write this
       article.</p>&#13;<p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom:
       0.5em; margin-right: 10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana,
       sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Thankyou for
       reading and I hope this inspires a few to have a go, for a goid
       selection of hosts cngq provides quite a few options including
       your own logo, laser etched on the side.</p>&#13;<p
       style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right:
       10px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;
       line-height: 20px;"><a
       href="
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/category.php?id=58"<br
       />target="_blank">
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/category.php?id=58</a></p>[/html]
       #Post#: 119--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: Spasmod Date: March 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Fantastic thread that is, I did mean to finish reading it.
       Thanks for reminding me.
       It's funny how it isn't until you start modding these things
       that you suddenly realise thing are much smaller than they
       appear in pictures. :D
       My eyes aren't quite what they once were either, well that's my
       excuse lol
       Thanks for sharing
       #Post#: 121--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: gords1001 Date: March 17, 2013, 4:47 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       yeah, 7135's still bug me, hence why I use a lot of unfamiliar
       drivers.  These hosts though, thet go together for fun and
       certainly the d5 is extremely robust, a few mechanic friends
       wish me to build them their own, and with cells and charger they
       are still cheaper than the snap on lights they get exposed to
       and more versatile.  Add a niteize head strap its a brilliant
       work light and yet is smart enough for dress wear too.
       The d4, I built up with another xm-l 4c and a blf a8 driver,
       I'm thinking of adding a fasttech clip to my next order, despite
       my dislike of clips. its an awesome combination and I built it
       in my living room in no time at all.
       I do strongly urge anyone to buy some bits in and have a go, for
       25 quid you end up with a real nice light, with a dr jones
       programmed nanjg, it would just be brilliant. :-)
       #Post#: 126--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: Spasmod Date: March 17, 2013, 5:59 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I couldn't agree more. I've used those Snap on lights on quite a
       few occasions, they're not up to much.
       You might get a small business going as if you're in the
       industry you know all the pros and cons to look for. Sounds like
       a nice project to put some effort in to
       #Post#: 128--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: gords1001 Date: March 18, 2013, 4:37 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I'm definitely starting small scale, and all it takes is someone
       to see a c8 and batteries on ebay and your suddenly a robbing
       b*******, they dont get that your using a proper driver, offer
       the modes they will use, sanyo/samsung/Panasonic cells. the host
       comes lubed, properly built, ha3, decent switch etc, but as you
       say, if their used to snap on prices you don't look so bad.
       My dads doing well for me though, he's a tool maker so
       recognises good machining, as do his friends,  they've all
       decided they want one for around the house/walking the dog/in
       the car.
       I figure if I put together kits with two cells, charger with uk
       plug, edc sized light and one with a bigger head, tailor the
       modes to suit them and supply them in a nice kit bag I've found
       then the lot looks worth £50 and I make a little bit. I also
       give them a choice of tints rather than the blue xm-l's that you
       get in cheap ebay lights.
       #Post#: 129--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: Spasmod Date: March 18, 2013, 6:17 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Sounds awesome Graham. I wouldn't worry about people thinking
       they're being ripped off. I'm fairly certain they will soon
       realise the build quality and performance will far outweight the
       cost of a 'Brand' light.
       The only downside I can see is the lifetime warranty, be even
       that is questionable these days with the reps wriggling out with
       excuses :D
       #Post#: 148--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: gords1001 Date: March 19, 2013, 5:27 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I got my first proper order todsy, I decided to do a deal, £40
       for a kit of one light, 32 - 55mm head, single 18650, xm-l with
       tint of choice and namjg best suitef to customer requirements,
       cells and charger or for £45 I would also add an 18650 tube
       light (I'm also affing a holster for the larger light, clip for
       the edc and possibly a head strap).
       got an order for a two light set up. Up to me on tints etc so
       their getting this host :-
  HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1660
       with an intloutdoor 4a ramping driver, xm-l u3
       tube light with xm-l 4c and ld-25 driver.
       2 sanyo 2900mah protected cells and a cheap but good 18650 only
       charger with uk plug fitted.
       I think thats a steal at £45 but the guy is worth the
       advertising for the small make on the deal.
       At this rate we could do a flashlight emporium light set with
       logos on the lights for £50 or so, edc and thrower,  nice tints
       etc, how about that gor a forum exclusive? B-)
       #Post#: 157--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: Spasmod Date: March 19, 2013, 7:44 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Sounds awesome gords! and I also think he got a steal, that's
       one hell of a light for the money. I bet he'll be real chuffed
       when he gets using it too.
       Now you mention it, we do need a TFE logo of some kind made up
       lol and I'm crap with graphic design, just look at our forum
       logos lol :D
       #Post#: 160--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: gords1001 Date: March 20, 2013, 2:34 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       they look good to me, I'm useless at creative stuff like that, I
       can build and see engineering solutions,  ask me to make
       something pretty and I'm buggered.
       I'm quite serious though, at some point we could offer a tfe
       kit, or even a start up kit, try to steer people clear of crap
       cells offy chargers and adaptors and poor performing lights.
       we could even offer kits to get people into modding or building.
       That wish to get people to have a go is what inspired the
       original post ;D
       #Post#: 576--------------------------------------------------
       Re: diy hosts, an entrance to the world of flashlight modding
       By: MRsDNF Date: April 14, 2013, 5:53 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Your right spasmod. Its not until you try and do something like
       adding chips when you think to yourself they were a lot bigger
       on the internet.
       Nice build gords. Its along way down to solder the wires to the
       led. It has a similar setup to the A8 which I dont know off a
       better way to get rid off heat. It does away with a separate
       pill where the heat must cross over the threads to escape. This
       way it is a direct path to the housing.
       *****************************************************
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