Hey jayrob. I'm new to the forum and am here because of you. I have been wanting to build my own 445 and was really taken with your 18650 S.S. polished kit, I have to have one. On your 18650 thread you show a comparison shot of a 530mW and a 950 mW, what diode does the 950mw use.
I will be ordering one of your 18650 kits with the "hot" option and 405-G-1 lenses and all the extras that you offer. I would like to use a Nichia/Casio A140 445nm diode powered at 800 to 950 mW's unless you can suggest a better diode/power combination. I already have the diode and glasses but would be OK with setting them aside for a future project, if you do know of a better set up for this power range in that host.
I can tell by the threads that you may be backed up on orders, but I don't mind waiting, quality takes time. Let me know what you think and I will place my order. Also I love your skyshots as I am also into astronomy and photography though I haven't joined the two yet. Maybe in a future post I will tell you the story of how I got a Celestron C8 for free.
jeff