DVD Burner Laser Diode

I am thinking of tearing my old DVD burner apart for the sole purpose of the LD. I was wondering if anyone has done it with a NEC-DVD_RW ND-1300A. I am unsure if the diode will be able to pop balloons. Also do I have to have an Aixiz module? I know I have to collimate the light from the LD but was wondering if there is another way other than an Aixiz module? This DVD burner came with my old computer that was an E-Machine. However I did open the burner and inside was a sticker that said, "CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT." Now I thought the diodes from DVD burners were higher than that like class 3b or something. I dont know I am trying to learn all this stuff. Well I hope someone can give me some insight. Thank you.

I too have one of the NEC drives but do not wana destroy it unless I know it will yield a good diode.

Anyone here know about these?

I tore an old 8X DVD burner apart and am guessing I was able to get around 60mw's out of the diode. It died as soon as I approached 150ma's of current. So you have to decide if a 4X DVD burner is worth it...I have no idea what you would get out of it.

I think any DVD burner is class 1 because the laser is enclosed where none of the light will escape.

I saw a guy on youtube who used 2 clear-orange colored film cans to make a dye laser. I think you could collimate your LD light by filling them with water.

It might not work, but if it does, it won't be as good as an aixiz :-/