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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Greetings!

Joined
Feb 17, 2010
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Greetings, All! My name is Johnny and I'm from the Lehigh Valley in PA. I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself as I begin my foray into higher powered lasers. Been loving the cheapie red pointers for years and have always wanted to build a high powered buring laser. I now own a cheepie green pen-style pointer and a 40mW Violet pen-style pointer.

Right now I am waiting delivery on the remaining components for my DDL (LM317) driver and my diode housings. I have my first PHR-803T (plan to run it at 120-125ma) waiting patiently for assembly and am rather excited. I have been researching and reading up heavily for the last couple weeks and just need a good host to cradle all my components. Not much into getting things premade or in kits as I prefer to do all my own work when possible. I can see, however, that I will be investing in some flex drives in the near future. :shhh:

:undecided: While I have your attention, it would be as good a time as any to ask if anyone has some good recommendations on a host from DX. I'd like to use one that uses 2x14500 or 2xrcr123A for 7.2v-7.4v supply and is known to fit a compact built DDL driver. In future builds I will use the microflex drivers but for now need a roomy host. I know I could use a 3xAAA host running the 3.6v AAA equivalents but would like to stick with the 14500 or RCR123A batteries. Does anyone have any suggestions? Much thanks in advance! :beer:

Johnny
 





Joined
Oct 24, 2009
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Hello and welcome to to the forum Johnny.

Myself, I am a do it from scratch kinda guy, so I can't really recommend any hosts.

While your waiting, here is some great reading materials. Enjoy!

Laser Resources (for n00bs and veterans alike!)

http://laserpointerforums.com/f36/looking-build-laser-read-me-47684.html

Sam's Laser FAQ (The Laser Bible)

Sam's Laser FAQ - Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Safety

RP Photonics Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology

Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology - an Open Access Resource of In-Depth Information, Free Articles, Nonlinear and Fiber Optics
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
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welcome.gif
to the Forum...

There is a wealth of Laser Related knowledge on the Forum...
It is all yours for the reading...
Don't forget to read the Newcomers section and the Forum Rules...

Enjoy your stay....


Jerry
 
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
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Welcome to the forum! It seems you've done some work and research already. As you will now be building lasers that are fairly powerful, please remember the need for eye protection.

Once you select a host, you will probably wind up needing a heatsink to hold the aixiz module in the host and transfer heat from the module to the host. As long as you have access to a metal lathe, this will not be a problem. Otherwise, builders stick to hosts that have heatsinks available for them. I have used the Aurora host from DX, it holds 1 x 18650 or 2 x 16340 cells. I made up my own heatsinks. You can get heatsinks for different hosts here on the forum, various members sell them.
 
Joined
Aug 28, 2009
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Welcome to the forum.
As others have stated, you seem to have a good grip on your first build already.
As far as hosts go, I am afraid I can't recommend any to you, as I machine most of mine.
I am blessed to own a small machine shop in which I make most of my parts. (my wife calls it my "play house"):)
I do know that fitting a LM317 driver into anything but the biggest host, is a challenge.(the regulator is as big as the whole Flex V5)
On some of my earlier builds, I designed the LM317 to "fold" in half, installing the components on two separate PCB's and using wires to connect them.
If you do it this way you can effectively reduce the drivers footprint in half. Just make sure to well isolate the two halves, so they don't short out. (I used 1/8" thick double-sided foam tape)
Good luck and make sure you post pictures of your build, when you get it completed.
:wave:
 
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
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Thanks for the warm welcome, guys! GM, I really like the idea of "folding" the driver to make it smaller. I will definitely do that. A good friend of mine has a milling machine and was very excited to work with me when I talked to him today over lunch about the lasers and my ideas. I showed him some pics of the stuff Jay does and he said it would be simple. I am very excited and if we come up with anything really nice I will of course uploads pics and perhaps take orders if anyone else likes what we come up with.

I really love how helpful everyone here is and how willing to share their time, experience and talents. I anticipate lots of fun! :beer:

Johnny
 




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