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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

PLTB450B Build 3 of 3 lasers (very pic heavy).

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This was my last build and I should have posted this a long time ago, it's just difficult to spend the time to post a thread like this, but since I have these photos and am hoping to do another build I thought I would go ahead and post it.

I had purchased three hosts from Mrcrouse a long time ago and started planning the three lasers, this is the third one of the three, and my fifth build.

In addition to Mrcrouse, the parts were again purchased from DTR, and Survival Laser.

Total cost was $140.

DSCN0273_zps402bab41.jpg


Tools and supplies used:

Soldering iron
Helping hands with lighted magnifier
Solder
Heat shrink tubing
Laser power meter
DMM
Wire stripper
Hex wrench

Let's have a look at the host:

DSCN0274_zps3ebc31f9.jpg


Notice that the host is similar to a 501B but not the same. Mrcrouse had called it a single 18650 host, but when trying batteries in it I discovered it had a little extra space for the batteries and could easily fit two 18350's, that's why I chose it for this build.

Let's take it apart:

DSCN0275_zps43f48d81.jpg


Only 4 pieces.

The tail cap:

DSCN0276_zps36fe17b0.jpg


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The combined pill and heat sink pre-wired with a battery contact board:

DSCN0278_zps95da9099.jpg


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I am sure many of you know something from DTR when you see it:

DSCN0280_zps1ad49bbe.jpg


The PLTB450B module with a G2 and 1.8A X-Drive:

DSCN0281_zps39fbf33e.jpg


For a time DTR sold some G2 lenses with an extended lens barrel but then his source of those lens barrels disapeared, I was lucky to get two of them while he had them:

DSCN0282_zps88d51e6f.jpg


The diode:

DSCN0285_zpse9e83b95.jpg


The X-Drive:

DSCN0286_zps12aa384a.jpg


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I replaced the internal lens spring and focus ring:

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With these parts from Survival Laser:

DSCN0289_zps231a719c.jpg


Let's do that now:

DSCN0290_zpsad2dbab9.jpg


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Oops I almost made a mistake and realized what I was doing. I took the lens back out and screwed on the focus ring first, always do it that way or you may accidentally screw the lens in to tight and damage the diode or lens.

DSCN0292_zps9a71719f.jpg


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Ok let's move on to the wires:

DSCN0294_zpsfef22686.jpg


I want to take a moment to say something about the wire stripper tool I had just recently purchased at Walmart. I had one almost just like it years ago but it couldn't strip wire below a certain size. This one will strip the smallest wires, I don't think it was supposed to be that way but I am glad it is, it is slightly adjustable, I think it was only about $15:

DSCN0295_zps22174d35.jpg


Ok back to the wires, this one is going to be negative to the tailcap, so we will be soldering the red to red and black to black. First of all strip the wires, there are sometimes when you may even need to shorten them first.

DSCN0296_zpsb105fcaa.jpg


Now get a piece of heat shrink:

DSCN0297_zps28f04d1a.jpg


Cut it in half and slide it over the wires on one side or the other:

DSCN0298_zpsa1a19498.jpg


Use your helping hands with a magnifier lamp unless you have steady hands like a surgeon:

DSCN0299_zps9bbc4dd2.jpg


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After the wires are soldered together, slide the heat shrink in place and brush it a couple of time quickly with your soldering iron:

DSCN0301_zpsca4b7af9.jpg


Now it's time to insert the module in the heat sink and tighten the set screw:

DSCN0302_zps09f89cf5.jpg


DSCN0303_zps87e0e5a3.jpg


Now we can simply put the host together and we will have a working laser:

DSCN0304_zpsece5832c.jpg


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Now we are ready to insert batteries:

DSCN0307_zpsb86f3b25.jpg


DSCN0308_zpsb4f09c1b.jpg


Notice that not all 18350 are the same length:

DSCN0309_zpsebf7cdbb.jpg


Time to insert the batteries:

DSCN0310_zps7e89ca97.jpg


DSCN0311_zps1d92740b.jpg


We now have a working laser. Let's see how it fits the tripod:

DSCN0312_zpsd2507949.jpg


Here are some photos for scale so you can tell what size this host is:

DSCN0313_zps93643037.jpg


DSCN0314_zpsf419feee.jpg


DSCN0315_zpsd0c168dd.jpg


Now for an LPM test, 1913mW, not bad:

IMG_20140810_183001_zpse51a802c.jpg


I attempted some beam shots but I can never get good ones:

IMG_20140810_184702_zps6d9cde0e.jpg


IMG_20140810_184832_zps0c6f1c22.jpg


IMG_20140810_184908_zps0979b811.jpg


IMG_20140810_185019_zpsc98b8b15.jpg


That's all of it, thanks for looking. This is the longest thread with photos that I ever posted from my iPad. When I started, the iPad was fully charged, now it's at 34%.

Alan
 





GSS

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Nice PI, these detailed pic by pic's are always good to go back to and look for any missed steps. As far as the host does anyone know what flashlight brand Mcrouse built the sink for?
 

DTR

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Nice build. Like that host kind of reminds me of the MXDL hosts. Those were great.
p1011024.jpg
 
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This was my last build and I should have posted this a long time ago, it's just difficult to spend the time to post a thread like this, but since I have these photos and am hoping to do another build I thought I would go ahead and post it.

Alan
Thanks for all the work in photographing your build. Very nice job.

Where can you find those wide focus adaptors?

Survival Lasers.

Extended Length Focusing Ring - Green Anodized

Ed
 
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Hi Ed,
Thanks for the link but I should have made myself more clear. I was refering to the one in the picture DTR posted
 
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Seeing this thread makes me wonder how I get by without a pair of those helping hand devices. Great build Pi :beer:
 
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Hi PI,
Ed Crouse did make some great hosts, before he retired i purchased all of his 501B hosts and sinks along with all his Mag lite stock. thats a nice build you did awesome pics and host. Don't you just love those PLTB450B's they pack a punch . To bad those extended lens barrels aren't around anymore folks would scoop them up in no time i for one would .

+Rep buddy
Rich:)
 

Pman

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+rep and a very good diode choice. Always liked those over the A and M140.
 

Tassie

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Thank you Alan for a great detailed explanation on how to build a laser,never knew it would be so easy. Cheers Tassie
 
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Thanks everyone for the nice comments.

Seeing this thread makes me wonder how I get by without a pair of those helping hand devices. Great build Pi :beer:

They do make it much easier, especially one with a lighted magnifier. Many of the cheap ones are no good and they always make the base too small but you can attach the base to something to make it more stable.

Hi PI,
Ed Crouse did make some great hosts, before he retired i purchased all of his 501B hosts and sinks along with all his Mag lite stock. thats a nice build you did awesome pics and host. Don't you just love those PLTB450B's they pack a punch . To bad those extended lens barrels aren't around anymore folks would scoop them up in no time i for one would .

+Rep buddy
Rich:)

Thanks Rich, yes the PLTB450B is great, this one can even light paper on fire.

+rep and a very good diode choice. Always liked those over the A and M140.

Thanks Pman, I agree, it has a smaller beam so higher power density than an M140, at least the one I have, I can easily see a difference between it and my M140 build.

Thank you Alan for a great detailed explanation on how to build a laser,never knew it would be so easy. Cheers Tassie

My goal with the five build threads I have done so far is to be detailed enough to help people become familiar with the internal parts and show how easy it can be to assemble a laser.

Hi Alan,
You mentioned another build, what do you have in mind?

A 462nm, I have quite an impressive host for it, it was the forth and last host I got from Mrcrouse before he retired, it is one of a kind.

Alan
 




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