First Laser BUILD, any advice/help?

XD001 said:

I am looking to build a 450nm laser (Pointer if you want to call it, but it's not really a pointer)..

Using this host, This diode/module/lens/driver ($118, bottom of page).. and that's all I have bought.. do I need to buy soldering tools, and what soldering tools would I need to buy? I am trying to build a 1.4W Hand Grenade Laser. What is the best way to solder it? I got the host from Mrcrouse, the diode and other stuff should be in tomorrow, but I'd like to know today so I can get right to work tomorrow..

I paid $220 for the host, which it probably would never retail, but eh.. I am part German so it is really cool looking to me!

So, (ABOUT) $340 excluding shipping was put into this laser *SO FAR*.

Also, where can I buy the soldering tools, and how much would the soldering tools end up costing.. can I just burn it together, or no? Just wondering.

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Pi R Squared said:

A cheap 30W soldering iron will work, it will probably even come with solder. If you have a Radio Shack store in your area that is a good place to look, or buy things online somewhere. I found my last soldering iron at Walmart, but you should also get some "heat shrink tubing" smallest size, you can find this at Radio Shack or buy it on Amazon or other places, sometimes comes in a box with several sizes. You will probably need to strip the ends of the wires too so you may want a wire stripper tool. Don't be surprised if the wires in the host and the wires from the module are a
different size, it doesn't matter.

Alan

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oahu99 said:

I would recommend getting a temperature controlled Weller station. Trust me, you don't want to cheap out on an iron or else you will just get frustrated trying to solder.
Also buy good quality lead solder it is much better to work with than lead free.
In all, buy good quality brand stuff, and then soldering won't be a chore.

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laserman360 said:

I am trying to mod my SDL Laser 301. I want to get access into it so i can see the pot screw, But i cant seem to open it.. Has anyone ever done this? some help would be greatly appriciated.

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XD001 said:

:cryyy: Why do you want to pot mod your laser? It kills the diode really fast (I think). It kills the diode extremely fast.
Are you trying to pot mod it, or just mod it?

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laserman360 said:

Well i just want to up the power because i think the power is reduced because im in canada. under the danger sign it says <1000mw witch makes me think there is a way to make the out put 1000mw.

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deltawars said:

Why not get this its $5 extra and even with the 3 element lens you get 2W or you could pay a extra $35 for the G-2 lens and get 3W.

And just ask dtr to solder a blank contact board to the diode, I'm pretty sure he will do it for some extra cash, or you could just get some heat shrink, twist the wires together and use a lighter to shrink the heat shrink.

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deltawars said:

Humm well get a blank contact board and some heat shrink twist the wires from the laser and contact board together and melt the heat shrink with a lighter.

Another option is get this New 60W Iron Soldering Pen Electric Welding 110V 120V 20g Solder Tube Home Shop | eBay it is very crappy but you can easily solder with it just remember to turn it off when it glows red hot.

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deltawars said:

or you could just get some heat shrink, twist the wires together and use a lighter to shrink the heat shrink.

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