14 year old responsible laser user 1w?

I an 14 years old, and know all of the safety precautions of using high power laser. You need to wear googles, never point in the vicinity of planes:tsk:, never point at others living things etc.... I have wanted to get a 1 watt eBay blue laser for a long time:drool:, but my parents won't let me Any input is welcome

Thanks:yh:

Educate them! Get them to give you some of their time, so you can teach them about proper safety precautions n whatnot.
EDIT: didn't see the part where you said a 1W laser. That's far too much power, start out at 1/200th of that power.

Listen to your parents.

Ahh, I agree to some extent with both previous replies.

I'd start out with a lower power - maybe 50-100mW, you'll still need to practice safety at those powers as it's still plenty to do permanent damage. That way you can get a feel for using a powerful laser and show your parents that you are responsible enough to own something with more power.

1W is a lot of power, reflections off of glossy surfaces, windows and many other things are potentially damaging, never mind a direct hit from the beam. Not only are lasers that powerful an eye hazard, they are also somewhat of a fire hazard with some materials. Even if it doesn't set things on fire, you'll end up with burn marks in places you might not want them if you aren't careful.

I have two black burn marks on the blinds (White blinds too, not even dark coloured!) at my apartment from a 2W 445nm lab unit. That was unfocused from maybe 15ft or so. Good thing I was keeping an eye on things and caught it before it went all the way through, otherwise it'd have been crossing the parking lot at about eye level and hitting the building on the other side. Put a good beam stop down range to stop that happening again!

I usually don't believe in this, but I'll highly recommend starting out even lower, around 5-10mW.

I already have numerous 50mw and 100mw lasers. In have 3 50-60mw greenies, and a 100mw 650nm.

green lasers rock said:

I already have numerous 50mw and 100mw lasers. In have 3 50-60mw greenies, and a 100mw 650nm.

Click to expand...

What reason do you want 1 watt?

There other ways to enjoy these lasers without being all about raw power. Everyone here has started by just first enjoying the beam. That I can just about guarantee. Popping balloons is still just as fun now as it always was. 50mw to 100mw is fun. No one here is going to give you a speech to tell your folks but they did tell you to educate them and the more you learn the better.

Just stay below anything class 4 (500mW+) for another year or two or until you're 18 if you have to.

You don't need a reason to want 1 watt.

Alan

Talk with you parents about getting a lower power laser perhaps.

Being a responsible 14 year old does not translate into experienced enough with lasers, how they behave in the real world into how to use safely and responsibly a 1W laser which can cause severe occular damage in less than the blink reflex time of 0.25 seconds. Accidents happen so fast with lasers that there literally is no way stop them while they are happening---you can't move out of the way at the speed of light --being well protected in advance is the only way----a serious and permanent retina damage in less time than the blink of an eye.

1W is way too powerful--is very dangerous --way too dangerous.

Above all else listen to your parents----you are their responsibility until 18 years old---any harm you cause to yourself or other people, they are responsible for---will be their legal and financial liability --your parents are at risk for whatever you do.

Look at this chart--- even a 5mW can cause damage to eyes.
http://lasersafetyfacts.com/resources/Laser-hazard-distance-chart.pdf

green lasers rock said:

I already have numerous 50mw and 100mw lasers. In have 3 50-60mw greenies, and a 100mw 650nm.

Click to expand...

If you have these and your parents don't think you should have a 1W, they probably a good reason for it (Could be the cost, the danger, or both - or many other reasons I'm sure!). Listen to your parents - I know at 14 you probably think they suck and that they're just trying to ruin your fun, just about every 14 year old thinks that, but they're just looking out for you - as they are supposed to.

That said - perhaps it's something one, or even both of your parents can participate in. If you get a 1W laser and a couple of sets of safety glasses, perhaps your parents may be interested in participating in some of your "experiments", or some reading here on the forum. That way they can learn about lasers and laser safety, while at the same time they can "supervise" as you operate the laser. In time they may see that you are responsible enough and let you have free reign.

If someone had told me when I was 14 that I'd be giving this sort of advice at some point, I'd have laughed at them. :crackup::crackup:.

how many threads are you going to start--

selling ANY POWER lasers to minors is just like having *** w/ a minor-its a STATUTORY crime-(like rape) -read 'age of consent' in the TOS you ALL agreed to and have affirmed that you read it....

hakzaw1 said:

how many threads are you going to start--

selling ANY POWER lasers to minors is just like having *** w/ a minor-its a STATUTORY crime-(like rape) -read 'age of consent' in the TOS you ALL agreed to and have affirmed that you read it....

Click to expand...

This part?

3. Eligibility

You must be the age of majority as that is defined in your jurisdiction to visit or use the Website in any manner. You represent and warrant to Laser Pointer Forums that You have reached the age of majority in your jurisdiction, and that You have the right, authority and capacity to agree to and abide by this Agreement. You also represent and warrant to Laser Pointer Forums that You will use the Website in a manner consistent with any and all applicable laws and regulations.

Click to expand...

If that part was actually enforced we'd probably lose half the members here... I'm not disagreeing with you of course, just pointing that out.

+hakzaw1 It is only illegal to sell laser pointers to minors:tsk:, which are defined as being less than 5mw It is legal to sell handheld lasers to minors Also, address has a point:thinking: I cant get a 1 watt blue though

green lasers rock said:

+hakzaw1 It is only illegal to sell laser pointers to minors:tsk:, which are defined as being less than 5mw It is legal to sell handheld lasers to minors Also, address has a point:thinking: I cant get a 1 watt blue though

Click to expand...

I think your logic regarding legality is a tad bit flawed. You shouldn't be a lawyer... Choose wisely, I still haven't worked my way up to even 500mW yet... I highly recommend you follow the same track.

+Gabe I can only get 100mw lasers, and I plan on slowly working up to more power overtime I just like the idea of owning a 1 watt. Maybe when I am older + I agree, I should not be a lawyer:banned: