Good laser to mod into burning laser?

Whats an easy, and somewhat cheap (below $30) laser that I could mod into a burning laser? I know next to nothing about modding lasers, so steps and a materials list would be appreciated. By burning laser, I mean easily pop any color balloons, cut through electric tape, etc. Thanks

Buy a SenKat diode from http://sales.stonetek.org and a driver, either a kit from there, or a DIY one, or one from me.

Lots of info in Experiments and mods about DIY red lasers.

You will have much more luck with that then modding a green. You aren't going to get even a balloon pop with a modded green frankly.