This place is awesome!

Hmmm, I'm not sure if you'll get along too well here, 'P Man'. I mean, do you even own a single laser?

What have I done lol

Joined the forum

Welcome to the forum! Make sure you get the proper eye protection, lazors are dangerous :crackup:

Welcome Pman!

I see that you have already added your location to your profile. You're off to a good start!

Remember to read the rules and stickies, and to always protect your eyes!

Safety first, no laser noobs allowed.

Pman--2 quick pointers (no pun intended)

1. Use the LPF search function before asking questions that have been already answered many times.
You will find a wealth of information exists covering most all aspects of the hobby in the LPF archives.

2. Please be advised: double posting is very much frowned upon on LPF---please avoid doing.

Ugh

I think I have my first 44 arriving today. Figured I would start with a 7W+ laser and work my way down

Actually that is partially true as I haven't built a 44 yet as I was more interested in a different wavelength than more power. Finally gave in. We shall see what happens. Hoping I'm not going to have an issue running it at 4.5A and have to remove the can or worse. Have one MX900 left with a screw down sink where the back half presses up against the back side of the diode.

You will enjoy the power. That diode heats up fast. But as a newbie I hope you have taken all safety provisions to ensure yours and everyone else's safety.

I thought it would have arrived by Friday but it didn't come today either Is he on vacation or anything? Sent him a message as it just shows a label has been created still on the 6th. I've had everything ready to finish the build laid out for a few days now but there's nothing else I can think of doing without the diode.

Pete I love what you've done with the MX900 !
Please tell me what you used to colour highlight the sections blue?

:beer:

That is purple/blue electrical tape. I stopped by Harbor Freight today and they have 2 different 5 pack rolls of different colored tape on clearance so I bought 4 sets. One is more lighter blue and in the other it's like a half purple half blue mix which will probably look just like the 44 going in it. Looks pretty nice doesn't it I'm tempted to see if they have any left on Monday. I think it was $1.88 for the 5 pack.
I checked with J and there may have been a problem with the shipment so he may be sending out a replacement so I won't have the build done until at least Wednesday.

Electrical tape in bright colors. What will they think of next? Nice find.

I use finger nail polish sometimes and these paint pens from Walmart are great.

Yeah so do I Red

Just bought 4 more bottles of nail polish remover too at a dollar type store. Pure acetone is a great cleaner.
I also use automotive paint.

J just sent me a message and it looks like my 44 just magically showed up to be in my state so it looks like I may get it tomorrow after all. Monday mail tends to come later afternoon but it will only take about 1 hour to finish the build just because of the epoxy drying time. Expect it to peg my Ophir at 6.8W+ but that's not what is important. Hoping to not run into any issue where I might have to remove the can.

Pman said:

Yeah so do I Red
J just sent me a message and it looks like my 44 just magically showed up to be in my state so it looks like I may get it tomorrow after all. Monday mail tends to come later afternoon but it will only take about 1 hour to finish the build just because of the epoxy drying time. Expect it to peg my Ophir at 6.8W+ but that's not what is important. Hoping to not run into any issue where I might have to remove the can.

Click to expand...

This seems to be happening a lot more as of lately. USPS did have some large budget issues and have closed some sort centers probably overloading others that are still open and items just are not getting scanned until they reach the local sort centers. When I print the label that means the item is in the package and in my outbox for going out that day or the next morning if after mail that day.

Here are just a few examples I was able to quickly pull up of this. First entry being the shipping label created and then nothing till the scan in the local sort for delivery the next day.

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction?tLabels=9400109699939245014084

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConf...fullpage&tLc=1&tLabels=9400109699938505197376

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConf...fullpage&tLc=1&tLabels=9400111899563260928029

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConf...fullpage&tLc=1&tLabels=9400109699939239367264

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConf...fullpage&tLc=1&tLabels=9400109699937877888509

I could avoid this by actually walking in to the post office waiting in line for as much as a half hour and then get a dirty stare as I get the counter worker to scan them all but I just don't have time for that. I will say when they don't get an acceptance scan it is not great as the customer thinks I have yet to send the package like so many sellers that just print a label to give tracking and sit on it till they are ready. I don't print the label till I am actually physically packing the item.