"SILVER BULLET" a Magicfire/NUBM07 Build (Very Pic Heavy)

SILVER BULLET​

Believe it or not, this build had its inception well over a year ago.
I was starting to believe that the "powers that be" didn't want this project to happen, but finally after three separate orders to 'CN Quality Goods', my third attempt was a charm, and I finally was able to get started!

I was going to provide a link to CN Quality Goods, but they seem to have gone out of business, at least at their former address (cnqualitygoods.com).
This is unfortunate, since even though they were sometimes difficult to deal with, they always seemed to carry some unique hosts that the other Chinese sites didn't have. :yabbmad:

I've always wanted to do a build using this "Magic Fire" host, and when the Nichia NUBM07 465nm diodes came along, I figured this would be a perfect match.
I now had a fairly unique, good looking host and a beautiful sky blue wavelength to put in it, and it is also large enough at 46.5mm in diameter, to handle the heat generated from the + 5W output ....at least for a while.

My inspiration for this build came from two separate, previous builds, one of which was our own DTR's "3W Menace", and the other was Blord's "3Watt Big Boy".
I wanted mine to have a similar, but different look, so I thought I'd de-anodize mine to have the silver, bare aluminum look.
As it turned out, I didn't need to worry about changing the appearance, since for whatever reason, CNQG shipped me a de-anodized, or probably more accurately, a clear anodized version of the host.

After looking at both copper and aluminum heatsinks, I decided on copper since I already had a piece that was large enough at 50mm (2") in diameter.
I knew the copper looked perfect in the black host, but wasn't sure of it with the silver finish; I figured I'd find out soon enough!

I wanted to try something different than what I'd seen on the other builds; I wanted to thread the H.S. into the host, since the original heatsink was screwed in.
I figured it'd be a good test at threading soft copper on the lathe, and it would help to insure a good tight fit for optimum heat transfer to the host.
In a further attempt at making my H.S. fit the host as seamlessly as possible, I tried to match the angled inner part of the hosts head unit by shaping my H.S. accordingly.
The measurements of that angle turned out to be a real PITA; I finally cheated, and used an epoxy type dental compound poured into the head to make a mold so I could get a half decent measurement of it, ....worked like a charm!

Another issue to tackle was the 3 x 18650 battery holder, which was designed to provide power from the 3 18650 cells in parallel with the circuit.
I wanted to use the batteries in series, so some holder modifications were in order.
With the electrical path re-routed, and a spring re-located, and having checked it again and again for mistakes, it was time to install the batteries and cross my fingers!

The only other change was to replace the GITD green switch cover with a black one. GITD green with a sky blue beam .... nope!

Components Used For This Build:

• "Magic Fire" Host Kit.
• NUBM07 465nm Diode/SXD Driver with G-2 Lens (DTR).
• Custom Full Copper Heatsink.
• Custom Focus Adapter.
• Arctic Alumina Thermal Compound, and Adhesive.
• (3) Sanyo 18650 Button Top 3500mAh Li-Ion Batteries.

Dimensions & Weight:

• Length = 168mm (6.61")
• Diameter = 46.5mm (1.83")
• Total Weight W/Batteries = 842g (1.85 lb.)
• Heatsink Weight = 475g (16.7oz) or (1.04 lb.)

Measured Power Output:

• G-2 Lens = 6.121W

Congratulations on making through the boring stuff, now for the good stuff! :wave:

Picture Time!








Tail switch mounted to the rear of the 3 x 18650 battery carrier.
Notice all the springs on the same end for parallel battery configuration.


Modified battery holder showing altered spring & contact pad location.
Also notice the removed copper traces on the contact board; this had to be done at both ends of the carrier.


Modified battery carrier (for series connection) with 3 x 18650 Sanyo batteries.


Alternative set-up using 2 x 18650's and a dummy cell for 8.4V output.


Host with epoxy mold used to determine angle to cut on the H.S.


"Measure twice, cut once"


Here we go, a nice bright, shiny start to the H.S.


Coming along, the first pass on the threads.


Components for the 'business end' of the "Silver Bullet".


Mounted H.S. with undercut for focus adapter.


Topped off with a large focus adapter to keep fingers from being toasted!


The 12mm diode module had to be sanded a bit to enable a proper fit.


SXD driver mounted to H.S. with arctic alumina thermal adhesive.




Battery board with added copper "button" for a more durable, better contact with the (+) battery holder spring.





A few Beam Shots:


The 'Blue Room'










Thats about it for now guys, as always all questions and comments welcome! :beer:

As always, a big thanks to DTR for continually providing good products!

THANKS FOR LOOKING! :beer:

Very very nice Bowtie, like the epoxy mold, turn out quite useful. Your heat sink with the threads is outstanding! Just an excellent job! Your pics are so clear and crisp, just awesome looking build. :gj: with a :drool: well, well done.

Outstanding excellent clean work----very nice high quality laser! + rep as soon as allowed

Really nice photos of the detail work---very professional all the way around--design, build, photos, and result.

You should have done 5 of them at the same time--am sure the other 4 would be gone in a heartbeat at whatever price you felt reasonable.

Very very nice buddy, yep that's one hell of a build, I like that host, just stunning!

Hi BT,
Very outstanding work nice and clean . What a great build buddy. Awesome host to like it ..+ Rep.. great job as usual.

Rich

Thanks Bob, yeah, that mold worked out sweet, and it's just as accurate as anything else,
The pics turned out pretty good considering they're well traveled, first they were with our good buddies at Photobucket, and then transfered to Imgur.

@ Encap, thanks, glad you liked it, I didn't think I'd ever get it done! :yh:

@ Billy, I appreciate your comments, I'm glad to hear from quality builders like you! :beer:

@ Rich, thanks a bunch buddy, it's good to hear from all you great builders out there, thanks for the +rep!

Holy moley what a beauty!! :gj:
Thank you for sharing it with us!

BowtieGuy said:

Thanks Bob, yeah, that mold worked out sweet, and it's just as accurate as anything else,
The pics turned out pretty good considering they're well traveled, first they were with our good buddies at Photobucket, and then transfered to Imgur.

Click to expand...

I think that sink turned out fantastic! If you wouldn't mind, I'm going to keep the molding idea in my filing cabinet, in case in the future, it just might come in handy.

Haaa "our good buddies at photobucket" man, you are just too kind. :crackup:

WOW:beer: Just awesome!
How does that 1 lb. hunk of beauty feel in the hand?:eg:

Very nice, another rep coming bro.

Great build! Will rep you as soon as I can! :beer:

Nice Build Neat...Sweet.....and Petite !!!! Working with Copper...One of my Favorite things to do !!! Nasty metal to machine....beautiful when done !!!
The 465 nm line is a beautiful color !! Great job ! Thanx for sharing.
CDBEAM

Good stuff BTG, the 07 is probably my favourite diode. Beautiful colour, and very bright! Awesome project!

@ Arctic Dude, no problem, glad you liked it!

@ Bob, feel free to use that idea, just remember that whatever you use, you will want to coat the mating surface with some kind of release agent so your molded piece doesn't stick.

@ GSS, it feels real good in the hand, it's more balanced than I thought it would be; I just don't want to drop it on my toes!

@ Alaskan, Thank you much Chris.

@ grainde, thanks buddy, I appreciate yor comments, and the rep!

@ CDBEAM, Yep, copper can be a bitch, but it's so pretty when it turns out nicely! You're right, this wavelength is awesome.

@ EP, Agreed! :beer:

Very nice build.
I always enjoy seeing your builds, not only are they always very good quality but your presentation is also impeccable.

I wish I had access to a nice lath... and the skills to use it as proficiently as you.:beer:

Thanks Mattronium, I try to make them look fairly good and flow in some kind of order; I keep saying that one of these days that I'm going to have to get a real camera instead of my cellphone camera, but it doesn't do too very bad.

I wish I had more access myself, as it is now, I use the lathes where I work, but I can only use them when nothing else is going on. sometimes things take a long time getting done.