Updated: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

Update. Taking this first host down as a sale item. I no longer need the funds to finish the next series. Tweaking the design a little. I might relist it with new pictures, however the long term 10440 single host pattern is finished and the first one is cast.

Pictures of the second host below let me know what you all think. Is this pattern a go? or should I change the pattern a bit?


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Ok, While I originally made this with the intent of using it myself, I find myself needing funds to finance finishing a couple other hosts I am working on for sale.

First, the pictures

Here it is assembled. shown with a module inside it


Here is a picture with the host taken apart. showing how it disassembles



Third picture. shows how I set up the module to work in it. I made the module case negative, and soldered the positive wire to a contact at the back of the module. (contact is separated by a piece of plastic, both from the sides and from the back of the module)




Total weight on the silver is 78.75 grams. Length is 11 cm. outside diameter is 15.5mm at the thinner section. It has a 12.4mm inside diameter at the back, and 12.1mm inside diameter at the front. The widest point is the front, which is larger to improve heatsinking, which is 17.3mm in diameter. My asking price is $200. shipped in the US. The module shown is not included. I simply photographed it to help show the overall size. I will include one 10440 battery though.

This is a one of a kind design. Sort of an experimental prototype. I am working on other 10440 hosts similar, although with a much simpler front design. (they would be at a lower cost once I can start making more then one at a time I can get the cost down some) I'm also working on a hosts for a 18650. however each of those will end up being cast one at a time due to size constraints. For now though, this is the first Sterling Silver host I have ready to sell.

An extension section could be made for the 10440 hosts I am working on, which would allow for a second battery, however while I have one ready to cast, it's not finished yet. ballpark price would be $60 or so.

Things to keep in mind with this host are: it's bright polished, which means finger prints show up well. I will include a polishing cloth to polish it with to help keep it looking nice longer. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, however if you DO put it in your pocket with your car keys, you will find out the hard way that silver is a soft metal. I would advise treating it with care and it will last a long time. :san:

The best advantage of silver for this, is it's flat out the best conductor of heat of any metal. period.


Again the price is $200 shipped in the US.

PM me if interested.

StridAst

Re: FS: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

Wow, that ought to be great for heatsinking... Silver has much better thermal conductivity than aluminum or copper.

Re: FS: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

Friggen awesome, a laser host that changes in value with the stock market value for silver! A bullion investment as well as a sweet host for a laser. Good luck with your sale, very unique!

Re: FS: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

Veery nice host, saw some of your earlier work as well.

Hopefully someone snaps this up soon so I can stop wandering if my wallet can take another hit for the team

Re: FS: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

Ok, I came across some personal scrap silver I had forgotten I had. Going to use it to add that second battery extension to the next cast at my work. We sprue up a cast every monday, the actual cast (after a 12 hour burnout) will be on tuesday. So I should be able to have it ready for pictures on wednesday or thursday. Visually it should match the rest of the host just fine. This won't effect the overall cost of the laser. Still listing it as $200 even with the add on.
As it will be able to be used with 2 AAA or 2 10440 this will help battery capacity a bit. I assume there will still be plenty of room around the batteries to wire them in as parallel if you wanted.

Won't be ready before next wednesday or thursday though. Anyways I will update the initial post once I have something to show on this.

Thanks for the positive responses people

Re: FS: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

I would love to see a 1,2W 445nm in this one!

Re: FS: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

Hmm I don't think even 2 10440 batteries in parallel could handle that much current draw. not certain what they are capable of overall though. The module I put in at first to photograph and test it is my 445nm diode. however the flexdrive is preset to a mild 420ma (which I figure is probably around 250mw)

I also didn't have it on long, I'm not really certain how much draw a protected 10440 can handle.

I'm kind of surprised how many people simply want 1 watt or more. I love the color of the 445nm diodes, and I find the lower powers easier to enjoy. I have a class IV portable already with my 12X and I rarely use it or show it off in action that much. I'm just too paranoid about those higher powers and potential risk. However everyone has their personal preferences.

Re: FS: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

Could you make one of these bad boys in GOLD??? If so that would be amazing, think id have to rob a bank so I could afford it!!
*grabs ski mask* Lol, JK

Awesome host man, keep up the fantastic work!

Re: FS: Sterling Silver host. single 10440

Lol yes I Could make one in gold, but I honestly can't imagine anyone wanting to pay the several thousand dollars for all that gold. Besides, silver heatsinks better


Anyways, Good News and Bad News. The bad news first. I had hoped to be typing in a post showing the battery extension tube today. looks like people will have to wait till probably friday to see a glimpse of it as I had a couple problems casting it which will take a little longer for me to find the time to fix.

The good news, a couple unrelated investments have paid off for me, which helped me finish another host. This is the style I plan on selling. Overall weight isn't too bad. I think I can sell this style for $125 or so. Prior to taking any orders, I am giving this first model to one of the forum vets (whom I have already contacted) So expect a review of it at some point.



Here is another view of it. The small stone set in the tailcap is a sapphire. I have both sapphires and rubies this size.


Things to know. to eliminate any set screws, I am going with a press fit design. To put a module in, you must wrap it with silver foil (which will be included) and press it into the host, then trim away the extra silver foil. This will ensure good contact with the host and great heat transfer to the host. Also I set this up with a tailcap switch which means you need to make the module case negative, and put a contact on the back of the module for the battery to connect to. (which must be insulated from the sides and from the back of the module) I set up mine like this.





A plastic piece like what I used to insulate mine will also be included. as will a contact point like the one I used. All that would be needed is to solder the contact point to your positive wire, and superglue it to the back of the module.

Looking for feedback on the design. As well as if people don't like the decorative pattern on it so much, suggestions for an alternate. Trying to get a feel for opinions on this.



Last but not least I am taking the first host off as being "for sale" now. As I no longer need the funds to help finance finishing this host. I'm liking the pattern on this one enough now that it's in silver that I think I'm going to tweak the first host. I will probably relist it with updated pictures, along with the extra battery extension for $180.

StridAst, just wondering, what material are you using to mould or mold (which ever you like) the silver in?

Nice work on this host. When do you think these are going to be available for sale because i definitely want one.

As for the straight style for sale. I plan on listing them once I feel it is 100% finished. Deciding they need a focusing ring. I've got one prototyped up. Just debating on the length. I cast an aixis nut in place inside the focusing ring so the threads won't wear out. But I'm trying to decide how much room to leave behind it. The glass lens assemblies stick out farther and need a little space behind, where as a plastic lens assembly needs little to no padding behind the nut.

So far this is the only remaining thing I am working on to decide when they are ready to sell. I would guess this will be ready in a week or two.

As for what material I am molding these in. I use a mixture of wax and plastic for the pieces that get cast. The tube is a plastic injection which is working better for the straight parts. Changes are made in wax which is easier to melt and add. Areas that don't fuse together well between the two materials I find I can fuse together better with one of my lasers. both a 6x br and a 445 @ 420ma work well for that.

Wax and or plastic are used for what is called lost wax casting. you get a piece constructed out of wax or plastic, then you seal it away in a plaster based substance called investment. Heat it up in a burnout cycle to a max temp of 1350 degrees F. (any higher and the investments starts to decompose) The burnout part takes about 12 hours. When it's done, all the carbon SHOULD be gone and what's left is a hole the exact shape of the wax/plastic. This goes into a casting centrifuge, you melt the silver, and let it spin. I hope this answers your questions

Very cool, nice work sir! Thanks for the detailed response:wave:

ok Focusing ring is finished, though I haven't tested it with a full threaded glass lens.


I actually cast it around an aixis brass ring.


Silver is so soft, the tiny threads wouldn't hold up any better then plastic to repeated focusing. So I figured utilizing the brass lens nut threads would be best

Going to cast up a couple of these 10440 hosts sometime next week. I'll list them for sale probably a week from monday, as I will be out of town that weekend.

IMO the design is a little garish for my taste. sleek and simple would suit, in particular a silver version of jayrobs 18650 SS host would be great.
the silver is great for heatsinking, but will that battery support a high power diode that would be needed to get the most out of the heatsinking?

The use of silver is pretty neat, but I'm sorry, the patterns look cheap and tacky to me. They remind me of wrapping some aluminum around a tube and rolling some patterns on with some household items. The head on the front of the first design looks like the silver was poured into some folded up paper; I'm not really sure what you were trying to go for. Also the screw-on back of the first laser looks like a light bulb socket from its thinness, which also makes it look thin and cheap.

Finally, what method are you using to cast these and make the mold? The casting looks uneven and overly rounded on the edges and features, almost plasticky, for example in the focusing ring.

It does look like you've got the basic design down and working. I'm just not a fan of the pattern and outward appearance.