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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Stack of old DVD writers and a Burning desire

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Hey all! I was excited to find an entire forum dedicated to lasers! First, a short introduction. I was a US Navy nuclear power plant operator for 12 years. I got out in order to spend more time with my 3 boys. They are all active in Scouts so I get to go camping on a semi regular basis. I've always wanted to start a fire with a laser but never really took the time to figure out how to do so. I've slapped together a couple of simple LED flashlights and bought several more online with way more power than those you find in the store. I have boxes of salvage stashed around my house (never know you need something until after you throw it away) and I realized I have at least half a dozen old computer 16x or faster DVD R/ RWs laying about, an old laser printer, and heat sinks galore. Figured now is as good a time as any to put them to use!

Started research on instructables and youtube and wound up here. Now I've been reading for the past couple days and think I'm ready to launch my own build. I need to go ahead and order a couple of things (safety glasses, Aixiz modules, LM317s and I'll probably order 1n4001 diodes as well even though i know i have a box full of old circuit boards somewhere). I think I'll just follow one of the many "1st laser" threads here and see how it goes.

The only question I'm still really having trouble with is: figuring out specs for the diodes in these burners? :thinking: I've googled the model#s, I've tried things like "what kind of laser (or diode or led) in DVD burner" Everything I've seen so far indicates they will be red or IR. Is it going to be a huge deal to exactly match the module and driver to these DVD burner LEDs. Or should I just go ahead and get started? Then worry about exact specs when I get around to ordering a higher power laser so I can match everything up for optimum performance on that build. Thanks!
 





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Hi And welcome great introduction haven't seen one like that in a while, good job Max.
Well it all depends whats inside you would've to get the sled out then open it up to reveal the diodes. On a burner there are two diodes one is the 405nm and there's a red diode flat package. They will be 3.8mm 405nm and there encased in an aluminum heat sink. You will find more info on 405nm dvd burner builds in the forum. Use the search bar on the bottom of the screen. Type in what you want to know There's a post from DTR that show you what a sled should look like. I have a post with the diodes extracted and built into a Cypreus copper pen host. In the forum jump drop down box click on Blu ray and violet lasers there you should find what your after. If your serious about building lasers an LPM and a DC power pulpy is handy to determine what a particular diode is capable of. If you use a driver get the Drives that Lazeerer makes for a diode of your choice. Soldering skills are a big plus also You will be searching for the right equipment and tools you will need for a while before you actually build one. Take your time mistakes in this hobby are costly, trust me from experience. Go to the DTR site many diodes at a great price there you will find diode and drives already configured for a build. Then finding a host to put them in. Sinner and Ehugemus make awesome hosts for a great price to. 405nm Blu rays are single mode that means you will get a dot instead of a bar like multimode diodes. but there are lenses that take care of the divergence issues.405nm singles are real burners at even a low mW output there sweet i can't get enough of them..

Rich:)
 

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Joined
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Hi And welcome great introduction haven't seen one like that in a while, good job Max.
Well it all depends whats inside you would've to get the sled out then open it up to reveal the diodes. On a burner there are two diodes one is the 405nm and there's a red diode flat package. They will be 3.8mm 405nm and there encased in an aluminum heat sink. You will find more info on 405nm dvd burner builds in the forum. Use the search bar on the bottom of the screen. Type in what you want to know There's a post from DTR that show you what a sled should look like. I have a post with the diodes extracted and built into a Cypreus copper pen host. In the forum jump drop down box click on Blu ray and violet lasers there you should find what your after. If your serious about building lasers an LPM and a DC power pulpy is handy to determine what a particular diode is capable of. If you use a driver get the Drives that Lazeerer makes for a diode of your choice. Soldering skills are a big plus also You will be searching for the right equipment and tools you will need for a while before you actually build one. Take your time mistakes in this hobby are costly, trust me from experience. Go to the DTR site many diodes at a great price there you will find diode and drives already configured for a build. Then finding a host to put them in. Sinner and Ehugemus make awesome hosts for a great price to. 405nm Blu rays are single mode that means you will get a dot instead of a bar like multimode diodes. but there are lenses that take care of the divergence issues.405nm singles are real burners at even a low mW output there sweet i can't get enough of them..

Rich:)

He may not have blue ray burners though ...
 

APEX1

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It should say bluray on the back! At least the few that I've done did..
 
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It should say bluray on the back! At least the few that I've done did..

Hi,
yes i know thats why i directed him to Blu ray and violet lasers. Any way there are diodes in the burners even if there red. and some you can get 200mW flat package or not. Gave him a brief explanation he will work the forum and in no time be building. He's 12 yrs in the US Navy with nuclear power I'm sure he will do quite well navigating.There's plenty of info on 405's Power , drivers and builds host Etc..

Rich:)
 
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APEX1

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A close friend of mine "fellow squid" was a nuke nut! Yeah, he'll have zero problems here hahaha!
 
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Thanks for the search suggestions Lifetime. Apex is correct though that I have a stack of CD/DVR burners, not bluray. I'm planning on following the same steps as styropyro's youtube cheap computer laser. I'm gonna do a little more research since the links in his description for the specific aixiz module does not seem to be active.
 

APEX1

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they have a website you can go on and find the item that was in his video!
 
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they have a website you can go on and find the item that was in his video!

I found Styropyro.com was much less helpful than his youtube videos have been. Not knocking the website...I don't have the skills to even think about setting up anything like it, but not much there when compared to his youtube channel. Is that the site you meant?

Unless i need to do a lot more research... the aixiz module seems to simply be the focal device for the beam. Are they built differently for different wavelengths (diffenernt material/filter) or is is just diameter changes for various diodes?

Usually right after i type a question... i figure out the correct keywords to find my own answer ;)
 
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APEX1

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sorry, I meant Aixiz has a website. The lens is what makes the beam so nice. And yes there are different size modules for different size diodes!
 
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Thanks for the search suggestions Lifetime. Apex is correct though that I have a stack of CD/DVR burners, not bluray. I'm planning on following the same steps as styropyro's youtube cheap computer laser. I'm gonna do a little more research since the links in his description for the specific aixiz module does not seem to be active.

Hi being you have all those burners lying around i would start peeling them apart.
If they are no good and you won't use them see whats inside you might get a couple of low power diodes out. You never know whats inside these things till you open them up.This way you will have a little practice with extracting diodes from sleds for the future.. Hey it can't hurt .. And it will keep you busy if i had all those i'd be very curious ..

Rich:)
 




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