Dorcy Jr build is dead. How do I replace the switch?

[T_Warne]

Hey there guys. One of my very first builds was this Dorcy Jr .

I made two interchangeable drop in modules for it, one is a phr and the other is a lpc.

Today I noticed that it wont turn on anymore. Tested the switch and it has no continuity. Its dead.

I love this little host and I really want to resurrect it. How do I replace the switch? It seems to be crimped in place?

Thank for any help you can offer.
T_Warne

 

[lasersbee]

Hey buddy... How's it going...
Can you get a complete tail cap...??
If not maybe someone with one of those
hosts can chime in.

Jerry

 

[T_Warne]

Hey there Jerry! I'm doing pretty good. How you been? I'm pretty sure these little lights have been out of production for a while. I'd be lucky to find a used one available. ( So... if anyone has a tail cap, or entire flashlight available, hit me up. )

I found my Box-O-Laser stuff in the garage and decided to dust it off. Now looks like a great time to get back into the hobby. Holly shit the diode landscape has changed. Direct diode greens and blues?!! And you don't even have to dig them out of sleds? :wtf: This is amazing.

Kids these days are so spoiled... they have no idea what it was like back in Ye Olde Days. :crackup:

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

I have a few various old flashlights here. I forget
how big the clickey was on those. Maybe I have
something which will fit. Can you measure or picture?
HM

 

[T_Warne]

Hey Mike! I really appreciate the offer, but I have clickies. :beer:

My problem is I can not figure out how to remove the old one. There appears to be a crimp that is holding it in. (highlighted here in red.)

I know this host is a dinosaur, but I am sure there are people here that did builds with them. Did anyone ever have to replace the switch? I'm really hoping there is a easy secret way to do it that does not involve a saw or files.

I might just chuck it in the lathe and carefully remove the crimp. The switch should just pop right out. Of course. then I'll have to get creative securing the new switch in the pocket. Epoxy?

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

All my flashlights are tail clickey style. It seems the dorcy was also.
I also have some bare switches. Wish I could have helped you.
HM

PS: My "old" flashlights are from the "red diode" era -- MXD, MXDL etc.
All have screw in tail caps. I seem to forget how the Dorcy worked.

I see what you mean. That 17.6mm threaded tail cap is a bit unusual but
the styling was ahead of its time. My old red in my Dorcy needs help.
I also have tail cap switches.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

TW -- Maybe a PM?
HM

 

[hakzaw1]

I have had a saved constant search at geekbay like FOREVER--used? nope NEW? NONE ever--not until they make more..the present version of the Dorcey Jr is nothing special--but maybe a tailcap from one may work--one of my fav flashlight hosts.... My plan is to have a matching 'basic rainbow' set of Dorcey Jrs--I think I have 4 or 5 stashed (NFS)

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Mine is silver and is printed DORCY - I don't know if it's a junior.
How big are the tail cap threads on the junior?
HM

 

[T_Warne]

@ Mike
I dont see any way to unscrew the switch from the base. When I have some time I'll try cutting the crimp off. Hopefully the clickey will pop out easy enough.
Mine also is anodized siver-ish and has Dorcey written in white. I have no idea what the thread size is.

@ Hack
"-I think I have 4 or 5 stashed (NFS)"
:crackup: You are such a tease! I can't blame you though. They really are cool little hosts.

 

[hakzaw1]

@ Mike
I dont see any way to unscrew the switch from the base. When I have some time I'll try cutting the crimp off. Hopefully the clickey will pop out easy enough.
Mine also is anodized siver-ish and has Dorcey written in white. I have no idea what the thread size is.

@ Hack
"-I think I have 4 or 5 stashed (NFS)"
:crackup: You are such a tease! I can't blame you though. They really are cool little hosts.

Love the look--the feel-heavy..all metal...not wimpy--and a AA Li-ion fits fine... My heatsink extends out a lot...Mark (greenmechanic made them.. RIP mark)
Versions now are mostly plastic iirc. boooo:undecided:

 

[T_Warne]

I trimmed off the crimp and then tried pushing the switch out by pressing hard on the button. It didn't budge. So I tried using a pick to pull it out, but the disk the spring protrudes through broke into pieces. After the disk was gone the switch assembly slid out easily.

There are extremely fine threads inside the base. It is possible that disk was screwed in.

 

[paul1598419]

Out of curiosity, which way were the threads turned? CW in, CCW out?

 

[T_Warne]

Yes. They are opposite.

 

[paul1598419]

No, it is a question. Let me ask it a different way. How do the threads turn on the plug on the tail cap? To advance a new plug do you need to turn it CW or CCW?

 

[T_Warne]

The fine internal threads appear to be CCW. ( Letfy tighty - righty loosey ) If you look closely at the picture you can see where the threads terminate at the 12 o clock position. From that point you can follow the ridge to the left and see the thread develop.