Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. - Laser Pointer Forums

dannad54 · 02-19-2010, 08:58 PM

Ok I am fairly new to lasers and laser pointers. I have had them for a while and love them with a passion but I have never tried making any of them better so wanting to do something like this I decided to buy a cheap $1 laser pointer which if I screwed up on it wouldn't matter too much.

Here is a picture of what I am working with:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9...serpointer.jpg
(no I didn't just put it in as an image due to the dimentions of it)

and I am basically asking "now what?"

it has a button that has to soddered points on the way to what I imagine is the actual laser part. If you couldn't tell it says 2H on the chip itself.

any help would be appreciated to some one interested in doing more of this in the future. Thanks.

Hemlock_Mike · 02-19-2010, 09:11 PM

At least this question is asked by a noob who doesnt search info. In the tutorial forum above, there is a stickey which may answer your question .
Pot modding FAQ's
It's mostly about green lasers but you will learn what a pot is and that you don't have one in your laser.

Please read and search before asking questions.

HMike

dannad54 · 02-19-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemlock_Mike

At least this question is asked by a noob who doesnt search info. In the tutorial forum above, there is a stickey which may answer your question .
Pot modding FAQ's
It's mostly about green lasers but you will learn what a pot is and that you don't have one in your laser.

Please read and search before asking questions.

HMike

no. It isn't a pot mod there is just a button a little, I don't know 2H thing ( I think it might be a resistor or some sort) and that's it. So I don't know what to do. I have looked so don't say "ha ha ha noob". Nothing that I have searched for has matched this description.

photonaholic · 02-19-2010, 09:44 PM

OK, sorry nice new person

There is NOTHING you can do to that one dollar pointer that will make it worth anymore than a buck.

Those are a dollar for a reason, no driver, cheap diode, crap for batteries.

Wish there was some kind of magic wand that made it different.

Read this stuff, I compiled these links for nice new people just like you.

Laser Resources (for n00bs and veterans alike!)

Looking to build a laser? Read me!

Sam's Laser FAQ (The Laser Bible)

Sam's Laser FAQ - Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Safety

RP Photonics Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology

Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology - an Open Access Resource of In-Depth Information, Free Articles, Nonlinear and Fiber Optics

I have included a handy guide to assist you in finding what you need.

Hemlock_Mike · 02-20-2010, 12:29 AM

Wayne -- I believe there was once a video on modding these but I can't find it. The video was short and hit hard as I recall.

HMike

dannad54 · 02-20-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemlock_Mike

Wayne -- I believe there was once a video on modding these but I can't find it. The video was short and hit hard as I recall.

HMike

What do you mean by hit hard? As in it was a good video? and since there isn't much to it, it wouldn't be very hard would it?

photonaholic · 02-20-2010, 01:18 AM

I give up....

dannad54 · 02-20-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photonaholic

I give up....

lol sorry. See I did find a video but it just told me to put in the smaller batteries (5 of them I think), and is there any way of attaching a dvd burner diode to this model?

Hemlock_Mike · 02-20-2010, 01:27 AM

I hope someone here can find that video. Short and to the point about modding these chip lasers.

Dan -- in all honesty -- Read the stickeys and build a real red laser. YES, you can do it and you will be proud and it will burn. It can be done with about $30 worth of parts. You aren't stupid. You communicate very well and that tells me that you will be a good member. Don't be in a rush -- read, learn and build!!!!

HMike

You will need a "real" diode, module and driver. Forget that $1 POS.

dannad54 · 02-20-2010, 01:27 AM

ok thanks. Will do.

Hemlock_Mike · 02-20-2010, 01:35 AM

Dan --
Do you have basic electronic "stuff"? like a soldering iron and a DMM? You need that to get into building lasers like we are making here. Can you imagine a pocket laser that sets fire to paper?
You have to learn and climb the ladder of laser knowledge.

HMike

dannad54 · 02-20-2010, 01:38 AM

I am not sure what a DMM is but I imagine I will learn about that but yes I have a soldering iron, I was actually hoping I was going to get to use it today, but oh well, and how small can these pocket lasers get? Just wondering because I don't want a very big one.

Hallucynogenyc · 02-20-2010, 01:43 AM

I guess you mean the video in which the laser pointer ends at the rubbish? xD

Hemlock_Mike · 02-20-2010, 01:45 AM

As you read, you will keep seeing members talking about heatsinking. As the laser diode lases, it produces heat which must be radiated or removed. Therefore, small is a bit ambiguous. A small housing may run for only a few seconds before the cells die or the diode over heats.
You have a lot to learn -- I again encourage you to read -- especially the stickies about building. A DMM is a digital multimeter. You will need that to set the diode current.

HMike

photonaholic · 02-20-2010, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannad54

I am not sure what a DMM is

Digital multi meter

The best tool you can ever buy

02-19-2010, 08:58 PM	#1
dannad54 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. Ok I am fairly new to lasers and laser pointers. I have had them for a while and love them with a passion but I have never tried making any of them better so wanting to do something like this I decided to buy a cheap $1 laser pointer which if I screwed up on it wouldn't matter too much. Here is a picture of what I am working with: http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9...serpointer.jpg (no I didn't just put it in as an image due to the dimentions of it) and I am basically asking "now what?" it has a button that has to soddered points on the way to what I imagine is the actual laser part. If you couldn't tell it says 2H on the chip itself. any help would be appreciated to some one interested in doing more of this in the future. Thanks.

02-19-2010, 09:11 PM	#2
Hemlock_Mike Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Iowa Posts: 4,589 Rep Power: 191	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. At least this question is asked by a noob who doesnt search info. In the tutorial forum above, there is a stickey which may answer your question . Pot modding FAQ's It's mostly about green lasers but you will learn what a pot is and that you don't have one in your laser. Please read and search before asking questions. HMike __________________ If you want to run with the BIG dogs - Stop pissing like a puppy. Last edited by Hemlock_Mike; 02-19-2010 at 09:14 PM.

02-19-2010, 09:44 PM	#4
photonaholic Class 3B Laser Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central New York State - Watkins Glen - planet Earth Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 84	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. OK, sorry nice new person There is NOTHING you can do to that one dollar pointer that will make it worth anymore than a buck. Those are a dollar for a reason, no driver, cheap diode, crap for batteries. Wish there was some kind of magic wand that made it different. Read this stuff, I compiled these links for nice new people just like you. Laser Resources (for n00bs and veterans alike!) Looking to build a laser? Read me! Sam's Laser FAQ (The Laser Bible) Sam's Laser FAQ - Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Safety RP Photonics Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology - an Open Access Resource of In-Depth Information, Free Articles, Nonlinear and Fiber Optics I have included a handy guide to assist you in finding what you need. __________________ Thanks for reading my post. Kind regards, Wayne ------------------------------------------------------------------ "Disclaimer: all posts made by me are based on my own opinion only, That opinion is subject to change without notice." Too much knowledge is dangerous, not enough is worse. Adapted from Einstein quote. ------------------------------------------------------------------ If you want to burn things, buy a lighter ------------------------------------------------------------------ My Pet Forums - for the animal fans Link Dances With Reptiles - If you like snakes Link

02-20-2010, 12:29 AM	#5
Hemlock_Mike Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Iowa Posts: 4,589 Rep Power: 191	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. Wayne -- I believe there was once a video on modding these but I can't find it. The video was short and hit hard as I recall. HMike __________________ If you want to run with the BIG dogs - Stop pissing like a puppy.

02-20-2010, 01:18 AM	#7
photonaholic Class 3B Laser Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central New York State - Watkins Glen - planet Earth Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 84	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. I give up.... __________________ Thanks for reading my post. Kind regards, Wayne ------------------------------------------------------------------ "Disclaimer: all posts made by me are based on my own opinion only, That opinion is subject to change without notice." Too much knowledge is dangerous, not enough is worse. Adapted from Einstein quote. ------------------------------------------------------------------ If you want to burn things, buy a lighter ------------------------------------------------------------------ My Pet Forums - for the animal fans Link Dances With Reptiles - If you like snakes Link

02-20-2010, 01:27 AM	#9
Hemlock_Mike Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Iowa Posts: 4,589 Rep Power: 191	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. I hope someone here can find that video. Short and to the point about modding these chip lasers. Dan -- in all honesty -- Read the stickeys and build a real red laser. YES, you can do it and you will be proud and it will burn. It can be done with about $30 worth of parts. You aren't stupid. You communicate very well and that tells me that you will be a good member. Don't be in a rush -- read, learn and build!!!! HMike You will need a "real" diode, module and driver. Forget that $1 POS. __________________ If you want to run with the BIG dogs - Stop pissing like a puppy.

02-20-2010, 01:35 AM	#11
Hemlock_Mike Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Iowa Posts: 4,589 Rep Power: 191	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. Dan -- Do you have basic electronic "stuff"? like a soldering iron and a DMM? You need that to get into building lasers like we are making here. Can you imagine a pocket laser that sets fire to paper? You have to learn and climb the ladder of laser knowledge. HMike __________________ If you want to run with the BIG dogs - Stop pissing like a puppy.

02-20-2010, 01:38 AM	#12
dannad54 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. I am not sure what a DMM is but I imagine I will learn about that but yes I have a soldering iron, I was actually hoping I was going to get to use it today, but oh well, and how small can these pocket lasers get? Just wondering because I don't want a very big one.

02-20-2010, 01:43 AM	#13
Hallucynogenyc Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Spain, tarragona Posts: 3,657 Rep Power: 178	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. I guess you mean the video in which the laser pointer ends at the rubbish? xD __________________ The difference between an ignorant and a wise is that the wise knows the limits of his knowledge while the ignorant ignores the limits of his ignorance. Learn how to use Opera and tell me about your experience here! Wicked Lasers Evolution Pro 130mW ------------------> Review Rayfoss 150mW waterproof Rayfoss 200mW focusable torch -----------------------> Review Dealextreme 5mW true laser pointer Dealextreme 50mW true laser pointer Dealextreme 100mW true laser pointer Laserlands 30mW disco laser --------------------------> Review 5mW pointers (many of them) DX 200mW Red laser (Dilda) --------------------------> Review 120mW PHR custom build 200mW GGW custom build Focalprice 7$ green&bluray laser goggles Dealextreme tripod and clamp for laser holding -----> Review DIY 3 motor Spirograph --------------------------------> Review HLPM-2 laser power meter

02-20-2010, 01:45 AM	#14
Hemlock_Mike Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Iowa Posts: 4,589 Rep Power: 191	Re: Cheap Laser Pointer mod help. As you read, you will keep seeing members talking about heatsinking. As the laser diode lases, it produces heat which must be radiated or removed. Therefore, small is a bit ambiguous. A small housing may run for only a few seconds before the cells die or the diode over heats. You have a lot to learn -- I again encourage you to read -- especially the stickies about building. A DMM is a digital multimeter. You will need that to set the diode current. HMike __________________ If you want to run with the BIG dogs - Stop pissing like a puppy.

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