Help me get going on this project.

So I've bought about 5 lasers over the past two years and have decided it's time to build one of my own. From my research I should need a module, driver, power source, and a host. I have a nice host laying around from one of my first lasers that went dead. I would like to have a bluer kind of laser and less violet, so around 445nm? What other components am I missing? I'm good on the assembling and soldering of it all. But how do I make sure everything works together to work desirably? I dont want to get a driver that cant handle the battery I plan on using. For this build I want to keep it between 50mw-100mw.
Any help is appreciated!

You will need googles if you are going to make a laser over 5mw. there are some good quality and well-priced ones here Safety pick the ones you like that protect against 445nm

And if you dont have one already you will need a charger for your batteries the intellicharge i2 or i4 is nice

I think most modules generally include drivers.
But if you're thinking of one of DTR's which just include the diode pressed into the module (yes he does sell ones with drivers, see link), you will have to obtain or build your own driver.

The host you have, what size module will the heatsink fit? Would you have access to some sort of machining tools to make a new heatsink or adapt the one you have to fit? Although, at 50mW for a 445nm it's possible to run the module without a heatsink I think, with a decent enough duty cycle.

Most 445s owned are the multimode 1+W. But there is a single-mode 450nm OSRAM diode at 125mW which DTR sells. https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/450nm-pl450-diodes
The datasheet says it's an 80mW diode but it looks more than possible to underdrive it so that you'd get about 50mW (some people would say it's a waste of a diode, but why not). In fact DTR probably wouldn't mind doing it for you if you PM'ed him and asked nicely.

When you say 'how do you make sure everything works together to work desirably' what do you mean? Do you mean how do you assemble a driver/how do you fit everything in a host or what? because I think there are stickies in the Host subforums which tell you what the pill and the tailcap and the springs or something are.

I don't know if I've been helpful or the opposite, but it is a fairly involved sort of thing and I reckon I should leave it to the more senior members to help.

I own a couple a goggles already. I'm not sure if I'm just over thinking this. I'm not worried about getting everything to fit, I can figure that out. I just want to make sure everything works together in terms of electronics. Generally speaking, I just cant buy a random driver, module and connect it to a power source and hope it'll work. I dont want to spend a little chunk of $$ and have it mess up my first time.

Well there're stickies in every subforum and I'm sure what you need to know is in all of them. There's one in the drivers subforum that tells you how drivers work and I'm sure that'd help.

I'm going to go with one or two of DTR's driver-included units for my first builds. The only thing holding be back at the moment is cash (I'm broke). I can already solder and whatnot, so once I'm convinced I can put the stuff together without ESD'ing it or whatever, I'll move onto setting up the drivers myself and/or modifying/replacing the drivers on DPSS modules. That sounds like an OK basic roadmap for the medium-term future.

Good luck with yours, post the results here

You can buy a really nice host from jayrob. If you buy his hot option the driver comes pre installed all you need to do is solder in your diode and put in a battery. Search for jayrob in the search bar, he has tons of cool hosts.

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oahu99 said:

You can buy a really nice host from jayrob. If you buy his hot option the driver comes pre installed all you need to do is solder in your diode and put in a battery. Search for jayrob in the search bar, he has tons of cool hosts.

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Click to expand...

Jayrob might be a tad expensive for your taste. Try out MrCrouse. His C11 kits are NICE!

:beer:
-Matt