gas lasers questions (newbie)

I never saw or owned a gas laser. I tried but I didn't found a fixed price like diodes (~10 bucks per sled, 45 bucks per diode, etc). Anyone that owns some can link me caracteristics sizes of tubes and common prices? like

HeNe - small - cheap
CO2 - accordingly to power - expensive etc.

I plan to try one some day.

oh and, what about homemade PSUs? what are the common voltages for every type (the voltage don't varies from laser to laser, only the current, right?)

Thanks all!

HeNe is the place to start....you can get them for pretty cheap...$20-$50US. Most of the time they don't come with the PSU. From what I have found they are usually 6v-12v for the standard, until you get into longer tubes and hight mW.
Try Ebay for the bare tube or maybe even the combo. If both PSU and tube together you shouldn't pay more than i'd say $75.

http://www.mi-lasers.com/hene-lasers-c-17

This company is well know for supply of HeNe at a pretty fair price. (wanted to add that their prices are for 'new'...but what they do supply are some PSU's and also connectors and mounts that are very useful)
If you want to build your own PSU, i'm sure you could...i'm still not an electrical engineer...but the info must be here on LPF.

Good luck and have fun....gas lasers are GREAT. A part of history and still used in different applications.
:beer:

Just a quick link to my newest HeNe fun!
http://laserpointerforums.com/f43/spectra-physics-hene-59411.html

THANKS! 6~12v input.. in the PSU right? it will convert 6v to thousand volts right?
I have some knowledge to build my own PSU, I just need the specs but I'll find they after I buy the tube.
to tell the true, I'm not really into the low power of the HeNe's. I'm more into the CO2 but I think HeNe is best to start as more cheap, right?

thanks again!

Sam's lasers....in the HeNe part will tell you ALL you need to know about the PSU's and how to build them.
I'm afraid I have little knowledge of such things.
Hopefully someone will post better advice.
Keep up the faith, they are worth the trouble.

There are a few good post going on right now about CO2 lasers and many more in the search area that should be able to help you along the way to your build.
Have Fun
Be Safe

Ok, thanks, I'll follow your tips

532 with Envy said:

Sam's lasers....in the HeNe part will tell you ALL you need to know about the PSU's and how to build them.

Click to expand...

Sam's Laser FAQ: Welcome Page

120VAC PSUs are just as easy to find (perhaps more so) than 6 or 12VDC PSUs.

just dont go doing what dave and I have done, hooked a 12v hene supply to mains. They make a loud bang and thats the end of them

The "Bricks" do upconvert the voltage from 12 or 120 to ~8kv to start, and around 1kv to run. The voltage is at a few milliamps for small hene tubes.

1kv at that low current is at all lethal? :concerned:

no, not really, but it will give you a nasty bite. Not much more than like getting a shock off an electric cattle fence.

oh..

haha I'm scared of shock
but a gas laser is worth that, I'm convinced

you should be alright as long as you dont touch the tube while its running. if you do, the shock will just scare you, and you wont do it again LOL

hahah thanks for the warning. I'll get a tube as soon as its possible, but I don't take He-Ne as an alternative.. can't see any reasons to get one, but I know many to NOT get one, as high voltage (compared to diode), high current using, low power, etc.
Maybe after some time I'll try a VERY WEAK co2.. dunno really