Violet Laser Build Help

Greetings ! I am new to the DIY laser build and was looking for some advise. I would like to build a violet laser from scratch for around the $200 range (or less if possible). I have access to a full machine shop so I can fabricate any metal parts I would need. what I want is something powerful (melting plastic,burning wood, popping balloons as well as making black light posters glow). I would like to build as much as possible from scratch. So I suppose what i'm asking is for a tutorial for the laser portion. I'm thinking possibly a liquid cooled heat sink (copper coil around aluminum heat sink with a small pump and fan, possibly a LCD heat sink temp display on the housing, the size range I was thinking would be in the 3 D cell mag light size minus the bulb housing (or smaller if possible). I am good at soldering and have some electronics knowledge. I would like to video the build and put it here for others to enjoy (with full credit to anyone who assists in the build). I'm not sure if I should put the cooling system power and temp LCD in with the laser power or should I power them separately but connect to the same switch. I will be making the housing water resistant.

Thanks for your time in reading my thread and any help you can provide

"Peace is a Lie"

Hey Wraith welcome to the forums...

You could introduce yourself in the welcome section while you're here...

You don't need to expend $200 in a laser that does that...
You could use a diode extracted from a SF-AW210 sled (you can find it on th"e bay").
To build the driver from scratch you would need a LM317... look for "DDL driver".

Look for info on the SF-AW210 on the forums. Its the "6x bluray diode".
And please beware... Our eyes have a lower sensitivity to violet... so a 300mW could look "harmless", when it would explode your retina (literally)

Buy some laser goggles rated for 405nm. Thats where you should expend your money.

Good luck... :beer:

Leodahsan said:

Hey Wraith welcome to the forums...

You could introduce yourself in the welcome section while you're here...

You don't need to expend $200 in a laser that does that...
You could use a diode extracted from a SF-AW210 sled (you can find it on th"e bay").
To build the driver from scratch you would need a LM317... look for "DDL driver".

Look for info on the SF-AW210 on the forums. Its the "6x bluray diode".
And please beware... Our eyes have a lower sensitivity to violet... so a 300mW could look "harmless", when it would explode your retina (literally)

Buy some laser goggles rated for 405nm. Thats where you should expend your money.

Good luck... :beer:

Click to expand...

Thanks ! i'll do that now. i actually work around lasers at my job (fiber optic communications) so I have some idea of the power of invisible lasers. I intend to be extremely cautious and the glasses are a must. thank you for the "looking out" besides what fun would a laser be if I couldn't see it :cryyy:

You can see violet ok. Just in case you get me wrong... its a very cool color to watch

But for starting the hobby, I'd recommend something cheaper... You could start with a dvd burner, extract its red laser diode, and assembly it... :wave:

Leodahsan said:

You can see violet ok. Just in case you get me wrong... its a very cool color to watch

But for starting the hobby, I'd recommend something cheaper... You could start with a dvd burner, extract its red laser diode, and assembly it... :wave:

Click to expand...

I meant if i detonated my retina lol , I'm planing to do some pretty detailed machine work to the housing, going to make it look like a lightsaber :drool:

Show us pics on your machined housing :wave:

Don't double post though. Its frowned upon the community.. Edit your post next time.

Leodahsan said:

Show us pics on your machined housing :wave:

Don't double post though. Its frowned upon the community.. Edit your post next time.

Click to expand...

As soon as I get a build I will make the housing, not sure what size bar stock i'll be using because i'm not sure what kind of power cell/cells i'll be using. but as soon as I get that figured out i'll start posting. i'm very excited !

The easier setting is to use 18650s. Each one is 18mm wide, 65 (or more) long, and round. For lower power aplications its perfect :wave:
You can search for AAA or AA sized lithium cells... it depends. If I were you, I'd start by making the module work first. So you can know how much it heats and how much it drains from the batteries.

What would be a good diode and lens for almost a black light quality purple ? still from a bluray? i've been doing some reading on 12x and 16 x blueray writer diodes .

Oh well from what I've read, the 12x and 16x are the same. If you are looking for high power (>500mW) those are the right choice... Dangerous imo.
Lens you can stick with Jayrob's 405nm G-1 lens... (link here). He is a member here. For cheaper you can go with 3 elements glass... I got mine from "techhood" @ ebay. Its cheap, and very good lens...

Just don't use plastic lens for powers over >150mW...