limited production :: hand crafted :: high performance :: rechargeable :: premium flashlights

This is my blog about creating a startup LED flashlight business. I'm a designer, fabricator, and strategist and I'm passionate about making ideas real. I believe that products are about people, that they should be built to last, deliver real value, and that we need to do a better job than we have in the recent past.

Most of my career has been contract or freelance work and I've crafted products and strategies for both big international companies and startups. I also used to work in the "industry" fabricating special effects for film and TV, along with the occasional hot rod. Bottom line, I love making things.

I'm starting this blog so you can follow along, from day one, and see what it's like to start a business, or fail in the process. Only time will tell, but I hope you find this interesting enough to stay tuned, comment, link, like, tweet, and (most importantly) participate in turning this idea into something tangible and valuable.

For a good place to get started with general info about who, what, why, etc., check out the "Stickies" on the left side of the page. Thanks for stopping by and please don't hesitate to ask questions and get involved!

Please sign up for my email list to get updates and notifications for contests and giveaways!

Monday, April 29, 2013

NOW AVAILABLE: Titanium Preon Pocket Clips

Hi Folks,

I'm excited to announce my Preon pocket clips are finally for sale on my site! (LINK) .

This project came about after many customer requests. I used the crowdfunding platform CrowdTilt to launch the product. I ran about 100 clips and the last ones are now available! This clips replaces the stock clip on the Preon. It's made from 6Al/4V titanium alloy and is significantly thicker and stronger than the original clip. It's also more simple and understated, which I think compliments the clean lines of the light quite nicely.

Monday, April 22, 2013

HDS Pocket Clips Back in Stock!

Yep, more HDS clips are in stock. (link) 

Get 'em while they are hot. These new clips are the much stronger 6Al/4V titanium alloy. Previous clips were CP2 titanium.

That is all.


Friday, April 19, 2013

NEW: Primary Seal Ring DIY Kit

Hi Folks,

As most of you know, I've been installing the Primary Seal Ring in both Ready-Made and Blue-Label lights for the past few months.  Now those of you have have pre-PSR lights can order your own kit if you are feeling crafty. If not, you can return the light for an upgrade. Just to recap, the PSR is a 100% custom made part from Smalley Steel Ring Co., engineered specifically for sealing the Alpha window.

Primary Seal Ring (PSR) and nylon-jaw installation pliers
DIY Upgrade: Pricing is on the sales page of my website :)

I really (really) recommend getting the nylon-jaw pliers if you plan to DIY. See the "note" below. I do not warranty any damage you do to your own light :)

Mail-In Upgrade: The cost to send in a Ready-Made light for upgrade is $20  This covers the ring, the labor to install it, a thorough cleaning of the light, replacement of any o-rings that need it, and return shipping. Blue-Label owners pay only $5 for return shipping. The PSR and installation is provided (free) as part of the Blue-Label "Lifetime Upgrade" program. Membership has it's privileges as they say :)

If you want to send your light, please email me in advance to make arrangements: jason@darksucks.com

PLEASE NOTE: The nylon-jaw pliers are an option when you order a PSR kit. I spent months trying to find the best pliers for the job, in order to make DIY installations easy and reduce the chance you will damage the light during the install.

Doing an install with the bent-nose pliers I use in the video is tricky! The nylon pliers are dead simple.

Each installation deforms the jaws very slightly, because the jaws are nylon and the ring is stainless steel. However, you should get 6+ installations out of a set of jaws...so essentially a lifetime of use. I do sell extra sets of the nylon jaws if you are the kind of person that always likes to have a backup :)

Friday, April 12, 2013

Alpha pen on Kickstarter! ... only a few hours left!

Hey folks, it's down to the wire! I'm excited to say the project has broken 1000 backers! Act now and you can still sign up for a pen at a little over 50% of the future retail price. Also, my new machine arrived a couple days ago. Head on over to Kickstarter and check out my most recent update for more photos. Thanks for your support!

Jason
My first new machine tool! The next youngest in my stable was made in 1991. 

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Help my project reach 1000 backers on Kickstarter!


Hey all,

Thanks so much for all of your support thus far! I just wanted to let you know my Kickstarter campaign has 7 days to go. Can you help me hit 1000 backers?! The current count is an amazing 931, but I'd love to break that 1K mark...it's just so close!

So, even if you have done it already, please share on Facebook, tweet, email, call (like on a telephone), blog, carrier pigeon or whatever you can think of to get the word out for the final push!

You rock...in advance!

Jason