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This is for SoloSK71, who approached me with the idea. This is my 3rd complete design with the same idea in mind. First was a 3pc handle, with a 1.5" diameter round stock centerpiece. Looked goofy in the FJ.
2nd was basically a 1.5" bar that was bent into the handle shape, but of course you can't bend 1.5" billet aluminum round stock so I was actually attempting to mill this shape from the same stock the other handles are made from. This provides workholding troubles, is hard to blend both ops, and still looked goofy.
3rd: Well, here you are.
I didn't bother to model the bolt holes and counterbores. They will look very similar to my current handles.
You can see from the bottom view, the .75" rads are off the same center, and complete a 1.5" diameter. When you clamp accessories on this handle you will see little gaps where the flats are milled but I think the added good looks of the handle cancel this out.
I could have gone any diameter but (here is where you are supposed to get excited...) had to choose 1.5" to accomodate both of these:
You could mount stuff like this and more!
Modular Camcorder Mount Kit
Modular Camera Mount Kit
Fourtreks knows their stuff and I'm not about to start selling these products that they make for obvious reasons (one being they do a good job!), but if you have a design for something you need mounted on a split ring I can help with that too. I think SoloSK71 had other things in his brainstorm like phones, radios, and MP3 players...
No drilling. Attachments would be removeable. I like it atleast!
I have to make sure Fourtreks split rings will clear the inside of the handle and the A-pillar, but what do you guys think?
By the way, I am happy to anodize your Fourtreks products with your handle(s) should you decide you would like this setup. Anodizing is fairly cheap, and when done in the same batch color match is near perfect between parts. We'd have to do this on an individual basis when we get there. Here is one set I anodized for a customer already:
You have to disassemble and remove any steel or non-aluminum parts (which I can do and don't mind as long as you haven't LOCKTITED them), as the only metals allowed in an anodize tank are aluminum, lead, and titanium which is inert to the operation. (Just as an interesting sidethought, titanium is the only other metal that can be anodized but the process and acids are different).
________________________________________________________________
New topic: another useable handle idea! Well not as a handle but I find I never use this one anyway.
I'm no photographer, but hopefully you get the idea. The plate shown further down is not yet anodized and has some dimples in it. I used a scrap handle cover plate to make this proto. I may be able to clean up the design a little as well. More thoughts on this later... before that, meet my mini mags.
First one is an older Maglight that has served me well. The light from it has gotten yellower and dimmer over the years so... TerraLUX MiniStar2 1 Watt Luxeon AA Mini Mag Conversion Kit
Best $12 I ever spent. Also comes in RED, GREEN, and UV for you CSI types! :lol:
The second one is the actual LED mini Maglite (ie. not retrofitted). It is a little longer...
Third is a cheap flashlight I got for $5 or less at a discount store. It has 5 superbright LED's. It kinda sucks compared to my Maglite's but if my girlfriend drops this one down an outhouse hole, I won't cry. :rofl: Though I'd probably pretend it was expensive just to be a jerk. :wave:
Older Mini Mag. Bottom actually flushes up with the lower clip. Maglite is centered on the plate (and bolt holes) within about 0.2mm. I'm crazy like that.
Newer LED Mini Mag. Looks a little more even, but it is still centered about the plate and holes within 0.2mm. Yeah I played with the clip positions and measured my flashlights with a mic. Get over it!
This one kinda sucks in more ways than one, but it WORKS. It is about 1mm from hitting the dash when you push it down to the head resting on the upper clip. If I wanted to run this one I'd make a collar or use an elastic or something.
By the way the clips can be had fairly cheap from the LED upgrade website above as well. Maglites are very affordable, reliable lights, for those unfamiliar. (I know they can be blown away by other flashlights, I have some better ones as well, but for everyday use and camping etc, Mags rock!)
The lights can pop in and out (the clips are a high quality plastic that will take this for years), or can slide in and out the top if you are a little more elegant. You really won't be able to use this as a handle anymore, but I never did. It is also up to you to decide whether you think this is going to affect your safety or not.
I can report that the flashlights have not moved in months while wheeling etc (yes I sat on this one for months). I also find it to be very convenient just about anywhere (camping, undertruck inspections, girlfriend drops her lip balm, yada yada yada) and when I get into the seedy parts of Surrey, the light hides nicely in the over steering glove box.
Okay my fingers are sore from typing. Please post some questions and feeback!
:rocker:
Cheers,
Joel
2nd was basically a 1.5" bar that was bent into the handle shape, but of course you can't bend 1.5" billet aluminum round stock so I was actually attempting to mill this shape from the same stock the other handles are made from. This provides workholding troubles, is hard to blend both ops, and still looked goofy.
3rd: Well, here you are.
I didn't bother to model the bolt holes and counterbores. They will look very similar to my current handles.
You can see from the bottom view, the .75" rads are off the same center, and complete a 1.5" diameter. When you clamp accessories on this handle you will see little gaps where the flats are milled but I think the added good looks of the handle cancel this out.
I could have gone any diameter but (here is where you are supposed to get excited...) had to choose 1.5" to accomodate both of these:

You could mount stuff like this and more!
Modular Camcorder Mount Kit
Modular Camera Mount Kit
Fourtreks knows their stuff and I'm not about to start selling these products that they make for obvious reasons (one being they do a good job!), but if you have a design for something you need mounted on a split ring I can help with that too. I think SoloSK71 had other things in his brainstorm like phones, radios, and MP3 players...
No drilling. Attachments would be removeable. I like it atleast!
I have to make sure Fourtreks split rings will clear the inside of the handle and the A-pillar, but what do you guys think?
By the way, I am happy to anodize your Fourtreks products with your handle(s) should you decide you would like this setup. Anodizing is fairly cheap, and when done in the same batch color match is near perfect between parts. We'd have to do this on an individual basis when we get there. Here is one set I anodized for a customer already:
You have to disassemble and remove any steel or non-aluminum parts (which I can do and don't mind as long as you haven't LOCKTITED them), as the only metals allowed in an anodize tank are aluminum, lead, and titanium which is inert to the operation. (Just as an interesting sidethought, titanium is the only other metal that can be anodized but the process and acids are different).
________________________________________________________________
New topic: another useable handle idea! Well not as a handle but I find I never use this one anyway.
I'm no photographer, but hopefully you get the idea. The plate shown further down is not yet anodized and has some dimples in it. I used a scrap handle cover plate to make this proto. I may be able to clean up the design a little as well. More thoughts on this later... before that, meet my mini mags.
First one is an older Maglight that has served me well. The light from it has gotten yellower and dimmer over the years so... TerraLUX MiniStar2 1 Watt Luxeon AA Mini Mag Conversion Kit
Best $12 I ever spent. Also comes in RED, GREEN, and UV for you CSI types! :lol:
The second one is the actual LED mini Maglite (ie. not retrofitted). It is a little longer...
Third is a cheap flashlight I got for $5 or less at a discount store. It has 5 superbright LED's. It kinda sucks compared to my Maglite's but if my girlfriend drops this one down an outhouse hole, I won't cry. :rofl: Though I'd probably pretend it was expensive just to be a jerk. :wave:
Older Mini Mag. Bottom actually flushes up with the lower clip. Maglite is centered on the plate (and bolt holes) within about 0.2mm. I'm crazy like that.
Newer LED Mini Mag. Looks a little more even, but it is still centered about the plate and holes within 0.2mm. Yeah I played with the clip positions and measured my flashlights with a mic. Get over it!
This one kinda sucks in more ways than one, but it WORKS. It is about 1mm from hitting the dash when you push it down to the head resting on the upper clip. If I wanted to run this one I'd make a collar or use an elastic or something.
By the way the clips can be had fairly cheap from the LED upgrade website above as well. Maglites are very affordable, reliable lights, for those unfamiliar. (I know they can be blown away by other flashlights, I have some better ones as well, but for everyday use and camping etc, Mags rock!)
The lights can pop in and out (the clips are a high quality plastic that will take this for years), or can slide in and out the top if you are a little more elegant. You really won't be able to use this as a handle anymore, but I never did. It is also up to you to decide whether you think this is going to affect your safety or not.
I can report that the flashlights have not moved in months while wheeling etc (yes I sat on this one for months). I also find it to be very convenient just about anywhere (camping, undertruck inspections, girlfriend drops her lip balm, yada yada yada) and when I get into the seedy parts of Surrey, the light hides nicely in the over steering glove box.
Okay my fingers are sore from typing. Please post some questions and feeback!
:rocker:
Cheers,
Joel