Hey yall, whats up from Texas?!

I've been surfing these forms casually for a about a year now. I still barely understand how a laser works, although I have taken a physics class in my chemistry program. I really appreciate this forum and all the available info in/on it. Online communities like this are great to learn from. I would like to say I have a great respect for lasers ( and chemicals) and their potential for danger! I have an ugly acid burn from not listening to a labtech one time.

I have owned a couple of 532nm from optotronics. I am about to start a really simple 445nm "hot" option type build (my first build). But I would like to think proactively towards building others.. If its appropriate, I would like to ask just a couple simple questions.

1. I have a decent x-tronic soldering station, a torx micro screwdriver set with tons of little attatchments, wire strippers, and your average set of tools (drill, jig saw, wrenches ...) . What are some other tools that will help me?

2. Does a 532nm build resemble a 445nm build in the sense that you just have a diode, module, driver and power source inside a heat sink and host? I just cant seem to find as many easy green builds, is there somthing im missing?

3. Does an "Ez-focus" knob such as the one made by a certain veteran on this forum, actually stay on the unit itself all the time or is it like an adjustment tool that stays off until you need to tweak the focus?

Thanks yall!!! I really appreciate it

Welcome! Where in Texas are you from? We need more people from Austin! Ugh. Looking forward to seeing your builds!

Welcome to the forum!

Hey dude! I actually am from Austin!!! Im a chem student att ACC about to transfer to UT and I work at a criminal defense law firm. Thanks man, Im excited to build some stuff!!!

Welcome, i hope you enjoy socializing with us! Don't be afraid to ask for help, but remember use the search bar first

Answers to 2 and 3.
2. 532nm is DPSS which means that its an IR diode that is shot through crystals and then another crystal then comes out as 532nm (search for more info n how it works, if you want)
3. The Ez Focus adapter is just wider and looks different to the regular aixiz focus ring, it does the same thing. Its just bigger so it is easier to focus because its not as small as the regalr aixiz one. It stays on the lens, as well. Say you had a build and it was tricky focusing it because the retaining ring was a a fair bit higher than the regular aixiz focus ring that screw on the lens. It would be annoying trying to get your fingers in their to focus it all the time and say if was a high power build as well and you were using a standard aixiz focus ring, you would be constintley burning yourself, thats why the ez focus adapter was made. To replace the aixiz focus ring so its wider and easier to turn.

I am at ACC as well! I am planning to transfer for Electrical Engineering! Which ACC are you at? Maybe we can meet up sometime.

EDIT: Also, I recently made a "DIY" 532nm build, so I can show you how ridiculously easy they are haha.

Dude thats crazy I didnt even look at your profile thingy. im at RVS mostly. Im in the tutoring lab all the time! Do you ever go there??

I am at CYP for all my classes. I live near Northridge though :thinking: I don't think I have ever even been to the RVS campus though. I'll check it out.

Its pretty dope, its on a golf course and the tutoring lab is super legit. If your old enough to dirnk id be down to grab a beer or whatever.

I'm 22, and yeah that sounds good! I'll PM you here in a bit.

-Isaac

Welcome, hope you'll have fun.

as for #1
"1. What are some other tools that will help me?"

Spanner wrench, maybe...
If you plan on playing with 532 modules a spanner wrench might come in handy if you want to adjust the focus. Only really usable for the modules with a little hole on either side of the lens though, that's what it goes into.

(If anyone knows of a better tool for this let me know! lol I'm almost ready to buy one)

Yeah I don't own a spanner wrench, anytime I see two holes on the side of something I get a pair of fine tipped needlenosed pliers(If you don't own a pair ask your gf or wife if you can borrow hers[do NOT tell her you are going to McGuiver a laser open with it or anything]...they usually have them for plucking eyebrows or something).

When Heatsinks have two holes like that I use a fork and apply force in the right direction and I can usually get enough torque to turn it.

Ha ha, thanks. So the tweezers can handle the torque just fine? I might need to buy a few since I could use the tweezers for tweezers as well ... I havn't had any, let alone a decent pair in a long time. I tried making a tool for this outta some old metal, but it just kept bending.

Well there you go Patrick an even better answer. +1 to wannaburn for helping me too

Yeah, Tweezers are how I fixed the Tailcap on my first laser from Rayfoss. The ones I used were pretty decent quality metal ones, so idk if they have plastic ones or not, but you should definitely go for metal. :beer:

QUOTE=PatrickOrtiz;1171385]I've been surfing these forms casually for a about a year now. I still barely understand how a laser works, although I have taken a physics class in my chemistry program. I really appreciate this forum and all the available info in/on it. Online communities like this are great to learn from. I would like to say I have a great respect for lasers ( and chemicals) and their potential for danger! I have an ugly acid burn from not listening to a labtech one time.

I have owned a couple of 532nm from optotronics. I am about to start a really simple 445nm "hot" option type build (my first build). But I would like to think proactively towards building others.. If its appropriate, I would like to ask just a couple simple questions.


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1. I have a decent x-tronic soldering station, a torx micro screwdriver set with tons of little attatchments, wire strippers, and your average set of tools (drill, jig saw, wrenches ...) . What are some other tools that will help me?

Jumbo helping hands(Harbor freight-has mag glass & LEDS--- dummy load to set current. ESD wrist band. bench PS-diode pressing tool- Flaminpyro sells good ones- also a unpressing/removal
tool is handy-- thermal compound and adhesive-silicon wire (Moh)))

2. Does a 532nm build resemble a 445nm build in the sense that you just have a diode, module, driver and power source inside a heat sink and host? I just cant seem to find as many easy green builds, is there somthing im missing?
NO 532 is dpss...no afordable diode greens just yet. you have several choices of 445- & also 450- starting at 20$ per diode up to $100 (9mm)very few build 532s unless its with a complete module(I can get you some from Lasever)
3. Does an "Ez-focus" knob such as the one made by a certain veteran on this forum, actually stay on the unit itself all the time or is it like an adjustment tool that stays off until you need to tweak the focus?

On all high powers-these are needed- several make them- Moh- FlamP.-jayrob- mcrouse and more-all good guys too-shop around prices vary -some have knurled edges-some have GITD or anodized color to match laser

Thanks yall!!! I really appreciate it [/QUOTE]

you are very welcome- PM me anytime I can help you--Len
+3 for finally making your intro thread!! lol

!!!!!! thanks dudes!