Militaria WW2 Dynamo Torch Light - Restoration

Here is a new video !!
This is a rare dynamo torch light made during ww2 for the french soldiers.
It must have been very useful to have one in your package :!
It's made of aluminum, the mechanism wasn't working. I had to disassemble it. I spent one entire month on that project.
Please watch till the end to see this beautiful ww2 torch light in action !
By supporting the channel you help me make more of these video and find more amazing items.
I hope you'll enjoy this restoration.
Thanks a lot for watching !
Please don't forget to subscribe =
/ thefabrik​
My Instagram =
/ thefabrik_restorations
My Patreon =
/ thefabrik
My facebook =
/ thefabrik-100198685777537
Thanks a lot to electrostatic magic for the beautiful varnish !
As I have a partnership with amazon please check the link below to see what I used for the restoration.Thank you !
Set of polishing discs :
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Nickel plating solution :
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DC Power Supply Variable :
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Dremel drilling machine:
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Powder coating machine :
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Decal paper :
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Sandblasting cabinet :
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Bandsaw :
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Polishing paste :
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Polishing discs :
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Drills :
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Tapping set :
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Taps :
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Lathe :
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Woodturning chisels :
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Benchtop Drill Press :
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Belt grinder :
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Camera SONY FRD-AX53 :
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Microphone Rode :
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#asmr #märklin #modeltrains
Back lights :
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Front lights :
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#asmr #militaria #ww2

[@CoolAgainRestoration]

What a nice looking item 😮👌

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you ! I’ll keep it… Just in case 😅

[@user-wp3bd1oh3c]

😊

[@user-rt9pe8dp1q]

It used to be.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

​@@TheFabrikIf you add a large value capacitor to the LED it will work much better 👍

[@TheFabrik]

@@edwardfletcher7790thanks for the tip 🙌 I’m such an amateur. I know noting about electrical stuff 🤷‍♂️

[@SharkoonBln]

No "cool" intro, no silly background music. This video was a pleasure to watch.

[@TheFabrik]

Oh thank you very much !!! 😌🙏

[@davidherron9151]

Watched till end because no voice is better than ai voice. And no music is better than non copy right dross. A little of your own friends music is always welcome when that's a thing. But yea over all love the nice quiet straight forward format

[@melina001a]

I know no annoying background music, no weird Intro, just repairing lovely devices so awesome!

[@user-bj8ce3sq6d]

@@melina001a good

[@DK-ii5sc]

Right On!!! I agree!!! Funny.. I never thought about that but have been very annoyed by that in many other videos. I sat through the entire thing. Now that you pointed out no sound just his working sound I found the silence and natural sound very soothing and therapeutic. I also like the sound of the hand generator light. Why don't we see things like that being available now?

[@brucemitchell5637]

Man! A whole lot of engineering and precision machining went into making that simple flashlight!

[@Snikern]

humans is insane. imagine walkoing around without smartphone now :P

[@mullerpotgieter]

Man, things back then had a real style to them

[@Under-Kaoz]

Yes and no. I agree I like some old styles. But often times it was because they just hadnt evolved the engineering to make things simpler as well.

[@FelixDegenaar]

My mother, a WW2 survivor, had two of these (other types of course). Were still in perfect working order when I was young. During the war, when the electricity got cut off and she had to walk home during nighttime as a little girl, she used one of these. In my language they were called "pinch cat" (Knijpkat), I don't know why though.

[@StefsEngineering]

Well we knijp them right? And they look uncannily like a cat :P

[@kjamison5951]

Maybe because a cat sees in the dark and knijp on its own means ‘squeeze’.

[@NOLAfugee]

Purring sound?

[@FelixDegenaar]

@@NOLAfugee That actually might be why...

[@theyearwas1473]

The most insane part of this, is the build on the interior. If you look at any crank lights that are sold, not one of them is made with the amount of solid build that this thing has.

[@drakea.5816]

Thank you for keeping the atmosphere of your videos simple and uncluttered with stupid music or fancy graphics. It feels as though I'm peeking through the window of a master craftsman's shop in the 1940s and watching him work. Love your work.

[@SharkoonBln]

My thoughts exactly.

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you so much 🙌 Glad you appreciated it 😌👍

[@brianartillery]

A torch is possibly the last thing you'd consider to be 'Precision Engineering'; but this is just that - an artefact that is as beautiful as it is functional. You have brought it back to life, and it's simply exquisite. Fact. Thank you for sharing! Nice one. 👍👍👍

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you !!! 🙌

[@user-dz8dg6ey8g]

Работа выполнена на все 💯. Здорово. У меня в детстве был также такой похожий фонарик, жучок. Охохо, вспомнил своё далёкое детство. Спасибо за видос, лайкаю мастеру.

[@WD1271]

I love the use of a file and the powder coating. I'm a big fan of these types of restoration.

[@TheFabrik]

So do I 😌👍

[@Medisaneman]

I was not expecting the inside to be so complex for something so old, impressive!

[@guillaumeroncin5870]

This lamp called "lampe à magnéto" were in the collective parts kit of the MAC 31 machine-gun in the Maginot line.

[@stashyboy1]

And we all know how successful that was against the enemy! Still, gotta love the no batteries required, self reliant technology of the time. Great restoration as always!

[@guillaumeroncin5870]

@@stashyboy1 That's not the place to discuss History, but the Maginot line was not intended to stop the enemy, but to slow down an offensive and let the main battle corps to intervene. The defeat occurred when the whole mechanized formations rushed to help Netherlands ("manoeuvre Dyle variante Breda") allowing the panzer divisions to cut it from the rest of the forces and logistics ... The rest is tragedy..

[@TheFabrik]

I guess those light were made to be seen and to send signals to your colleagues… Not really for light up things

[@2degucitas]

Had an actual dynamo that produced an electricity. I love the ergonomic squeeze function. Wish this came on modern lighters( I know this is a flashlight). Well designed.

[@zavac6757]

Старые вещи душевней современных !

[@user-bj8ce3sq6d]

rus????

[@williamharris8367]

I love how this channel covers these wonderful old and obscure mechanical devices. Thank-you.

[@TheFabrik]

Thank a lot William for being here since the beginning 😌🙏

[@kjamison5951]

That’s just superb! I wasn’t sure about the powder coating on the casing but as you were reassembling it, there were unusual patterns as if it was made of Bakelite or it had an age-old patina. It looks fabulous now. Thank you for sharing this!

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you very much ! I’m glad you liked it 🙏

[@NOLAfugee]

Not a fan of nickel plating?

[@TheFabrik]

@@NOLAfugeeI do ! But that brown finish existed back then ;)

[@kir_kras]

В Советском Союзе подобный фонарик с динамкой назывался "Жучок"😁Видать, потому что при нажиме на рукоять характерно жужжал)

[@ivo6676]

Жучок для освещения, этот фонарь сигнальный, военный. Даже с ЗиП - ом.

[@max0390rip]

Hey stop using your flashlight, you're going to give away our position

[@TheFabrik]

🫡

[@mattr272]

Negative, suck it up 🫡

[@hanungpramuaji4840]

Haha

[@indoorkite651]

Mostly on sound discipline tho

[@donstaunch7895]

if light doesnt give you away the sound sure would! what an amazing piece of history though!

[@pizzapig97]

Dude… you always impress beyond what I could imagine. That finish, I haven’t seen that cold blue with clear powder coat. Jeeze it is gorgeous. Beautiful work.

[@horatiohornblower868]

I hope they didn’t give these to the French soldiers. The Germans would have heard them coming from a mile away!

[@TheFabrik]

They did actually 😅

[@thepriandanas7689]

😂😂😂😂

[@SiNFPVGUAM]

Especially the speed soaked ones..

[@escupidadeluna7451]

Nothing says stealthy mission like winding up your loud flashlight.

[@MaHa-vi4zg]

If you use a light in the dark as a soldier "at work", you didn't have to be quiet as a fox, because you use a light!

[@serg.ved-ov]

Вот это действительно вещь сделанная качественно и что называется на века, а реставрация и обновление - просто мастерски выполнена 🔥👍👏

[@TheFabrik]

Wow thank you very much 😌🙏

[@sergdanilin3924]

Зря он обрабарывал швы напильником, это уничтожение истории, получился как новодел

[@TheFabrik]

@@sergdanilin3924​​⁠i understand. Just bringing it back to life… For the next 50 years 👍 the anodized brown existed back then. The soldier who owned it would have loved to see it like this I’m pretty sure ;) Thank you !

[@msbealo]

Your buffing wheel sounds like a sci-fi dystopia.

[@DavyCrockett101]

A Work of Art Now . Awesome work.

[@ShadowsOnTheScreen]

The best repair videos on KZbin, bar none. Thank you!

[@TheFabrik]

Wow thank you very much !!! 🤩👍

[@raviarcot3145]

Those days, such elegant way of presentation❤

[@Nijin8492]

It's really amazing how analog things were back then.

[@thesavoyard]

I lived near Clusas in France. One of the most beautiful regions in the world. The Col De Les Columbier connects Clusas With Le Grande Bornand. If you go the day the road opens in the spring you can usually see ibex up close.

[@TheFabrik]

I agree ! On of the most beautiful mountain !! Je suis pas loin de Grenoble !! 😄👍

[@Dorelaxen]

Oh man, that bakelite finish was next level.

[@cllc4u]

I had one like it as a kid wish I still had it. Very nice.

[@georgebrown8312]

Fantastic restoration job you did on the old dynamo flashlight. It looks much better and it works like a charm too. Excellent work.

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you so much, it must have been a precious help for some soldiers during WWII 😯

[@Einherjar_17]

Beautiful restoration, the effect of the paint job was perfect, hugs from southern Argentina.

[@TheFabrik]

Muchas gracias 😌🙏

[@valerietrinquet7139]

❤❤❤ vous avez illuminé ma journée avec cette magnifique restauration. Une belle idée d'objet pratique et 100% autonome en énergie 💪

[@maruja8751]

Encore une fois, très belle restauration ! Et en plus écologique (pas de pile...) bien pratique et économe . Bravo !

[@TheFabrik]

Merci beaucoup !! Elle est rangée et prête au cas oú !! 🫡😅

[@user-ik3wr8lq3v]

Добротная реставрация. Благодарю вас.

[@namngothe2060]

nice to meet you again. I really like your videos, your work is very good. You did a great job. A lot of technique and precision machining was used to create that simple flashlight! I wish you good health and happiness.

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you so much. I’m glad you liked it. Wish you the best too !! 😌🙌

[@ReRey]

You made me smile for 11 minutes ❤

[@TheFabrik]

Oh glad to hear that !!!

[@ReallyDumbName]

I said to myself “so we’re taking a metal part and making it look like Bakelite”. Then about 0.4 seconds later “looks like Bakelite” popped up on the screen. 😂

[@TheFabrik]

😅👍 That anodized brown version existed back then 😉👍

[@ReallyDumbName]

@@TheFabrikit’s a good-looking finish.

[@julianr.7186]

Amazing work. I don´t know how your are so patient!!

[@joshtaylor485]

beautiful restoration

[@TrueThiago]

That’s beautiful!!! Great work!!! Rio de Janeiro - 🇧🇷

[@carolynford2760]

What an awesome restoration. Fascinating light. 😊

[@andreaskorner4638]

Outstanding work! I have got a similar one from my grand uncle back in the 70's. Works still fine. Like it to watch how you bring uniqe things to life again 👍🏻

[@TheFabrik]

Glad to bring the memories back 😌👍

[@reuben9213]

Always enjoy you taking care of business . Thanks

[@Snarlacc]

I had so many hand-crank flashlights in my time, didn't know they could last for more than a few years.😅

[@matthewzampogna7189]

I wish we still had stuff like this

[@thaisstone5192]

Fascinating. Sure looked pretty when it was finished; I was impressed that you made your own LED bulb!!!

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you !! It was made to be seen by your colleagues ;)

[@francispalmer9737]

A superb resto as always. Cheers TheFabrik

[@23bowser]

Could not turn away........awesome work on a awesome item!

[@roshi5778]

Honestly what the hell have we been learning at school? This is amazing work and I don't know what any of those procedures are called or what they do.

[@Chris.Wiley.]

The faux bakelite is super cool!

[@TheFabrik]

Hey thank you !!

[@Vaquita_Vibes]

some neat piece of old tech, gj restoring it.

[@josephvargas6166]

a fabulous work for a fabulous machine .....when you think that this thing has cross the most hard war !!!

[@brokeasscivic8830]

I woulda liked to seen the 80 years of patina left alone and just fixed but pretty cool anyway

[@ChefChari]

Fantastic restoration exquisitely done!

[@Hillbillypunk]

First I saw the Tamiya T wrench, then more Tamiya stuff!

[@tyn999]

I didn't imagine there were so many little pieces inside this torch light... 😅 Great restoration! It turned out beautiful!

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you very much 😌👍

[@bigsparky65]

Another fantastic restoration, love watching your videos

[@eraydogan5603]

I think you should add 1 super capacitor. Nice video👍

[@Balthazare69]

Its like a clock repairing, nice job 😀😀

[@kathrynnewton5203]

That turned out very nicely. Ty.

[@Jay-yy9ol]

Hi. Most likely it gave your position away to the enemy every time you needed light at night. Thank you for the video. I didn’t know there were hand grenade looking light generators in WW II.

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you ! I guess it was designed to be seen by your colleagues ;)

[@philipehrmantraut1548]

Just beautiful great job and love watching your videos 🎉🎉🎉

[@zenivinez]

Almost like a movement in a watch how cool.

[@philmaxwell1858]

Nice work and beautiful finished product! In the last demo, you were holding the light backwards. The finger indentations are not supposed to dig into your palm.

[@raziel3726]

Amazing Restoration 👍🏻👍🏽👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@stefanschneider3681]

Great job as always - and as always: What a nice little piece of clever engineering 👍😊!

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you very much Stefan 😌🙏

[@robturner3117]

What a wonderful thing such a great design and as always FAB work

[@user-sl3il5sz2s]

A very interesting device. And a good restoration, although the LED is weak. In my childhood there was a similar electrodynamic flashlight from WW2, but Soviet. It had a different design - the movable lever had an axis at one end and a gear sector on the opposite side, and its generator was clearly more powerful.

[@TheFabrik]

I measured 6 volts so the incandescent bulbs would be more powerful🤷‍♂️ For some reason it was weak. There is a replacement bulb that works fine tho 😉

[@user-sl3il5sz2s]

@@TheFabrik Judging by the appearance of the generator, it is unlikely to be capable of delivering more than half a watt of power and a current of more than 0.1 A. I assume that the voltage can be 2.5 - 3.5V. I think one can be found. That Soviet flashlight used a 0.25A 3.5V bulb.

[@notmuch_23]

I'm pretty sure that glass dome also doubles as a fire starter!

[@kmass77]

You mess with RC cars? The little 4-way lug-wrench looks like a traxxas wrench 🧐

[@TheFabrik]

I used to drive some tamiyas and other rc cars ;)

[@mihailaguzarov9918]

У нас такие фонарики называют "сверчок"

[@valmonta3647]

Lovely restoration and exited about the future projects

[@boris1986]

Thank you for a nice video and an interesting item! Bakelite impression really blew me away -- the result is looking awesome.

[@enilenis]

Had one of those, when I was growing up. It was quite hard to operate with small hands, and from time to time, I'd pinch my palm between the handle and the body of the flashlight, which was most painful. But it was still, so cool, that I kept using it, regardless. LED is a good addition, because it has a lot less power consumption and therefore, will produce less resistance on the handle. With the original bulb, it would've been hard to run. The downside is that with the filament, that dims gradually, the light is more steady. To combat it, add a capacitor. Find where to put one. Maybe even run it to that spare bulb compartment, if there is no other place to stick it. If you're willing to alter the original, by having a non-factory bulb, might as well go all the way and make it a little less flickery.

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you very much !! I should have add a capacitor… Definitely 😉👍

[@tonyhancock4258]

This one most likely was for reading maps, as the light is very low. Beautiful job to bring it back to it's original state.

[@TheFabrik]

Actually is was more designed to be seen by your colleagues ;)

[@American_Jeeper]

5:05 - Je pensais exactement la même chose! Superbe restoration, comme d’habitude, très bien fait, bravo!

[@TheFabrik]

Un grand merci !

[@graphixkillzzz]

i suppose herringbone years would make this a much more enjoyable experience 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@SlashandStab]

That's not a flashlight, That's a grip strength trainer. 😂😂😂

[@jimroberts3009]

You can still get dynamo torches today, I have one. They're made mostly of plastic though.

[@user-is3bp6ii4n]

I want one! LoL. Thanks for the video.😉👍

[@oneshotme]

It looks great and you did a wonderful job restoring it as well!!!! I enjoyed your video so I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you very much 😌👍

[@chelmersneox3174]

You used a very weak LED. The light bulb has 600 milliwatts. The LED only has 250 milliwatts. Maybe you could use a brighter LED that has more power. Great project, well done!

[@TheFabrik]

Thanks for the tip ! The incandescent bulbs were very poor. I wrote those lamps were made to be seen… Not really to light up things 🤷‍♂️

[@robertgoff6479]

Not sure why an awesome example of early aluminum casting was covered up with a modern finish.

[@TheFabrik]

That anodized brown finish existed back then 👍

[@19jarhead66]

You do great work. I wish you would make videos more often.👍🏻👍🏻

[@chaching1690]

Magnifique restauration . Merci du partage

[@TheFabrik]

Merci beaucoup 👍

[@Damien.D]

What a complicated and strange object. Never heard about it ever. The final finish is outstanding! For the sake of argument, the cold white LED looks a bit odd, a warm white one would have been more like original ;)

[@TheFabrik]

Thanks a lot Damien. I measured 6 volts but for some reason I ignore the vintage bulbs I had were very poor. It works too that’s why I put a replacement bulb :) That lamp was made for the soldiers on the « ligne Maginot »in 1944… Not really to light up things but to be seen by your colleagues 🫣😕😵‍💫 Thanks again for the support.

[@rutikuiwa7133]

Excellent job 👍👍👍

[@mzoids]

Nice job👍

[@linkerthejedi2575]

While not a dynamo lamp i have a small pocket wonder lamp from one of my uncle’s who went over to Europe during ww2, found it still in its box after helping my grandpa clean out our old milk barn and it looks brand new. Only issue is i cant find the proper batterys for it over here in America

[@rf159a]

I hope they didn't expect you to use that on a stealth mission!!

[@TheFabrik]

I hope so 😅 I guess those light were made to be seen and to send signals to your colleagues… Not really for light up things

[@TrueNicomus]

at first I thought it was a brass knuckles with a flashlight from the preview)

[@frankram2303]

Love all your vids inspiring

[@TheFabrik]

Thank you !!

[@NOLAfugee]

Warm/Amber led would make it look more authentic.

[@TheFabrik]

The incandescent bulb works too ;) But hey I agree with you 🙌

[@marclalancette4856]

Nice! I have one of those. Thanks to you I might try to fix it too.

[@homewithbuddy8510]

That is pretty cool,

[@user-vw7cx6zz7b]

Инженерные решения готовили конструкцию на века ❤. Сейчас такого уже не делают.

[@sushantairekar7427]

Thats the perfect restoration 👍

[@51edick]

Мне понравилось. Спасибо за хорошее видео. Удачи Вам🤝

[@TheFabrik]

Merci beaucoup !

[@greencruell1400]

AWESOME!

[@josegustavopena3844]

Cool job, congrats!