Laser Lighter

Hi everyone.

So I was thinking about various things to build a laser into, and I had a great idea (I think) of building one into a zippo lighter/flip top lighter.

I will use a bluray diode with a fixed focus so there is a focal point, where it will burn say cigerates etc. It will be hard, seeing as the host is cuboid, so I will have to search for a way to get a cuboid heatsink. But I think its a great idea, and as far as I know, no one has ever built something like this. (except for someone called roger, who built a green projector into a flip top lighter, but this is completely different).
This would also be safer than most lasers, as you wouldnt be able to actually point it into your eye, as the "beam stopper" would stop the beam.

Here is a quick diagram of what I mean, bear in mind I havn't included wiring in this, to make it easier to understand


Let me know what you think, and if there is anything I should improve, and most of all, should I go ahead with it.

One was already done. Use the search box.

daawood123 said:

Click to expand...

I see a few problems with your design.

1) Being a Zippo/flip top lighter your switch is in the worst position (especially if it is a momentary) and will interfere with trying to light your cigarette.

2) What is your plan if you accidentally get some ash on the lens?

3) You will have to wear safety goggles at all times when using this. I understand that your design seems to be aiming to keep the beam enclosed but when you are lighting your cigarette there will be stray reflections.

4) You are going to have a lot of trial and error when setting up the focus point and beamdump.

I love seeing people experiment with lasers even if it has been done before. Repetition leads to Innovation. Just be safe and take lots of build photos :beer:

Lase

um yeah, i didnt know it had been done before, but anyways, the switch isnt momentary, im working on a concept that when the lid closes, the switch is automatically pushed back into its off position, so that the laser stops. about the ash, still working on that bit
maybe aligning the beam in a diagonal position, so that the ash falls in some place where it can be easily cleaned.

and about the safety, i was thinking, maybe enclose 3 sides of it with something that you can see through, but something that the laser cannot get through.

I'm still going to go through with it though. like you said lase, i will need a lot of trial and error, not so much with the laser, but with everything else, say how the flip top stays closed, the switch mechanism, the "scaffolding", and the beam stopper. it needs to be something black and not shiny, and also something that wont melt. (anyone any ideas?)

I have decided to put this idea aside for now. maybe i will revisit it in the future, but there seems to be too many problems for it to work,the biggest one being how the lighter top will stay closed, as there is a lever thing on the lighter assembly, which keeps it closed, and if i remove the inner workings to make space for the laser, then the lever thing will be removed also. so it will just end up being useless

Maybe buy a pair of goggles and cut up the lens so that the person viewing the interior is essentially "wearing" goggles"?

yeah, but like i said,there are too many hurdles. the lid stays closed because there is a lever attached to the lighter assembly, when you pull out the lighter assemble, you have a case, which i was thinking of building this into but, the lid wont stay closed, it will just open and close randomly, unless i find a way of keeping it closed and open when i want, this project will have to be put aside

Its not an easy project. The biggest hurtle is the batteries. You should only use a PHR diode @110mA. Anything more than that and it will kill the battery in seconds, or worst explode from the high current draw.

Here is the discussion when I thought about it 3 years ago.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/laser-cigarette-lighter-27987.html

And here is the one Rog made.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f38/laser-zippo-lighter-20110.html

Good luck.

um thanks for that TJ , however,the one rog made is pretty different from this one, in my desgin, you will not be able to see the dot, and the main function is laser lighting, not laser in a lighter, (not being rude ofcourse). and about the batteries, did you mean i should only use a PHR diode or i should run the phr at 100mA? i was planning on say a phr first, just to test the setup and everything, it will be like a prototype, when i know it works, i will build another but with a m140 or a140 (is it a140?) diode, to be able to achieve the burning aspect.

TJ, im sure you have owned a zippo. you know the whole lighter asembly, like the metal sqaure thingy with the cotton and the wick etc, well, i was thinking of taking that all out so im left with the empty case, but as you probably know, the lighter wont close this way, as the lever thing that keeps it closed is on the lighter assembly, and i dont want to have to build into the lighter assembly. any ideas?

Its just a reference, you dont need to build his design. Take what you can though.

You could cut down the side of the insert that has the lever with a dremel or cut off wheel, and solder it back in place. If you can someone with a TIG welder to put a few tacks, even better. walk into a welding shop and ask for help. They might even do it for free when they hear your idea.

um, whats the insert? and where do i solder it? and as far as i know, there aint any welder shops where i live.
thanks for the help TJ

The insert is the metal part that holds the lighters cuts. Its the part that the lever is on. Hold on I'll draw you a quick picture.

alrighty cool.thanks, i might even forgive you for the neg rep you gave me a few months ago

Here you go.

ooo yeahh. thanks for that TJ, that helps sooo much, you are forgiven. im gnna dedicate (like the author people do ) this build to you

If you value your eye sight I would suggest you forget all about this, there has been enough people hurt with these !

"You see son, you don't need some $2 cheapy lighter, just buy yourself a $100 laser lighter that takes 3 times as long to light the same cigarette!"