Meatball's first Argon and HeNe

Meatball · Feb 26, 2010

Yesterday was a good day, I received the Argon that Dave sent me. I didn't expect it till Friday, so it was a nice surprise to get! On the same day, I also got my first HeNe from a friend.

First off, I would like to Thank Dave for shipping those two huge boxes to the middle of Nebraska, from California. Awesome packing job!

Well, I've got my 2214-12SL up and running, and the HeNe in a new home!

I'm officially hooked. Gas lasers are much cooler than SS.

12X, Argon, LOC, Uniphase 155 SL

And the best Argon beam shot I could manage at the time.

I ran the Argon for a solid 45 mins tonight, and couldn't be happier. I will be making an interface for this as soon as I get those parts in!

Thank you for getting me started on the gassy side Dave, you gave me a real deal.

-Tyler

photonaholic · Feb 26, 2010

Nice, Congrats!

daguin · Feb 26, 2010

Meatball said:
I ran the Argon for a solid 45 mins tonight,

Ahhhh! The magic of gas.

It will keep you warm throughout the rest of the winter as well

You're welcome. THIS is what it is all about

(Not the Hokie Pokie)

Peace,
dave

Meatball · Feb 26, 2010

I think that these are more satisfying to turn on. Its like the difference between lighting a match, or starting a bon fire.

Plus, bon fires produce more heat!

That fan you included is a nasty little bugger. If I so had the need, I would consider using it as a hair dryer.

Too be honest, I haven't ever seen a gaussian beam before- until now. They sure r purty!

Greenmechanic · Feb 26, 2010

Tyler,
Have you had the case off of the 155 yet. That's a classic side-arm tube inside.
A couple of pics. of the tube.

If that is not prettier then a diode laser, I'll eat my hat.

Meatball · Feb 26, 2010

Greenmechanic said:
Tyler,
Have you had the case off of the 155 yet. That's a classic side-arm tube inside.
If that is not prettier then a diode laser, I'll eat my hat.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

Haha

I have had the case off, however it was not a side arm tube as far as I know. It was a more basic setup. I can post picts of the inside later today if I get a chance..

ElektroFreak · Feb 26, 2010

As much as I like argon lasers (which is a LOT, they're freaking awesome!!) I sometimes feel guilty for using so much power to get my little 50-100mW beam.. I feel like I could power a small African city for a day with the same amount of power that my JDSU consumes in an hour. Argons are horrifically inefficient.

My 1W DPSS green does 1.3W and uses a tiny fraction of the power and generates a tiny fraction of the heat that my argon does. This makes solid-state the more practical alternative for most portable installations..

Greenmechanic · Feb 26, 2010

Meatball said:
Haha

I have had the case off, however it was not a side arm tube as far as I know. It was a more basic setup. I can post picts of the inside later today if I get a chance..

Oops, My fault. I have the Spectra-Physics Model 155. Looking again, I see this is an Uniphase Model 155. The case looks exactly the same.
Feel free to bash me for my inattention.:spank:............And my Horse too!:horse:

KiLLrB · Feb 27, 2010

Man i want a gas laser so bad it hurts

that is a very nice lookin unit there

Meatball · Feb 27, 2010

ElektroFreak said:
As much as I like argon lasers (which is a LOT, they're freaking awesome!!) I sometimes feel guilty for using so much power to get my little 50-100mW beam.. I feel like I could power a small African city for a day with the same amount of power that my JDSU consumes in an hour. Argons are horrifically inefficient.

My 1W DPSS green does 1.3W and uses a tiny fraction of the power and generates a tiny fraction of the heat that my argon does. This makes solid-state the more practical alternative for most portable installations..

I understand what you mean. I think something like .002% efficiency is typical for these smaller heads. I've read about .05% efficiency from the 5W systems! Wow.

What is your DPSS setup look like? What kind of system puts out THAT much power after pumping?? I have yet to touch a DPSS laser..

Greenmechanic said:
Oops, My fault. I have the Spectra-Physics Model 155. Looking again, I see this is an Uniphase Model 155. The case looks exactly the same.
Feel free to bash me for my inattention.:spank:............And my Horse too!:horse:

Not necessary... you provided some nice desktop picts.

KiLLrB said:
Man i want a gas laser so bad it hurts that is a very nice lookin unit there

I may recommend Dave as a good source for a first gas laser. He'll get you up and running at a fair price. I feel like the hobby is completely new again, so much more to learn! I'll be spending the next month on Sam's faq...

xXAxHillbillyXx · Feb 27, 2010

Meatball said:
I may recommend Dave as a good source for a first gas laser. He'll get you up and running at a fair price. I feel like the hobby is completely new again, so much more to learn! I'll be spending the next month on Sam's faq...

I second that! If your wanting a gas laser I also highly recommend dave.. good price and very quick shipper! And you have the confidence that you will not be getting a dead laser from him. I couldent be happier with the HeNe that I got from him

photonaholic · Feb 27, 2010

Meatball said:
I have yet to touch a DPSS laser...

You don't have a greenie at all??? not even a pointer??

Cyparagon · Feb 27, 2010

Meatball said:
I've read about .05% efficiency from the 5W systems! Wow.

Not counting PSU losses, mine is 0.08% efficient at 5W. My smaller (SP-163) is 0.006% efficient at 50mW

Meatball said:
I have yet to touch a DPSS laser

That would make you about the only guy on the forum without a green laser

They're only $20 - get one! :wave:

ElektroFreak said:
My 1W DPSS green does 1.3W and uses a tiny fraction of the power and generates a tiny fraction of the heat that my argon does.

My 1W green (resold CNI) takes about 70W when wide open (PSU losses included). What does yours eat?

Meatball · Feb 27, 2010

True, no greenies for me. It just seems like everyone them as well... I guess I'm not interested in them enough to go out and find one myself.

I'm saving up for a yellow however, now THAT's a real DPSS!

LSRFAQ · Feb 27, 2010

Greenmechanic said:
Oops, My fault. I have the Spectra-Physics Model 155. Looking again, I see this is an Uniphase Model 155. The case looks exactly the same.
Feel free

Uniphase/JDSU bought the rights to the 155 design and SP stuff to say 10 mW, Anything HENE about 20 mW went to Cambridge lasers..

Now you know...

Steve

Greenmechanic · Feb 28, 2010

LSRFAQ said:
Greenmechanic said:

Oops, My fault. I have the Spectra-Physics Model 155. Looking again, I see this is an Uniphase Model 155. The case looks exactly the same.
Feel free

Uniphase/JDSU bought the rights to the 155 design and SP stuff to say 10 mW, Anything HENE about 20 mW went to Cambridge lasers..

Now you know...

Steve

Click to expand...

Steve,
Thanks for the info. I had to go back and look 2-3 times. The cases look exactly alike.
So when Uniphase took over, they switched tubes? Seems like they would also redesigned the case.
It could be one half the width using a cylindrical tube. In those days smaller= more marketable, so it would seem.
Maybe it was a case of product recognition, People trusted the 155 and any change in appearance would have steered them away?:thinking:
:thanks:

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