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How do I fix a scratched lens?

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scrublordlt

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So I recently bought a new green laser pointer off ebay and it was really cool, 532 nm, 1W - perfect for the low price, was really satisfied, but today my lens got a bit dirty and it looks like i scratched it while cleaning it. I tried fixing it with toothpaste, then made a thick paste out of baking soda and water but nothing helped. This is a serious scratch and I'm not even sure If I can fix it at all, but if it's fixable, how can I do it? If it's not fixable, can I get a new lens somewhere?

C4i-rdnWIAEr663.jpg


C4i-rpfWcAI3vsO.jpg


C4i-sNxWQAEczzK.jpg


C4i-sxMWAAA_fZO.jpg



Here are some images of the laser itself, the lens and the dot or whatever it has now become, hopefully that helps.

The scratch is in the center of the lens, it isn't very clear, sorry for shitty camera, it looks like a dot.

Any help/tips are appreciated.
 





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steve001

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scrublordlt said:
So I recently bought a new green laser pointer off ebay and it was really cool, 532 nm, 1W - perfect for the low price, was really satisfied, but today my lens got a bit dirty and it looks like i scratched it while cleaning it. I tried fixing it with toothpaste, then made a thick paste out of baking soda and water but nothing helped. This is a serious scratch and I'm not even sure If I can fix it at all, but if it's fixable, how can I do it? If it's not fixable, can I get a new lens somewhere?

C4i-rdnWIAEr663.jpg


C4i-rpfWcAI3vsO.jpg


C4i-sNxWQAEczzK.jpg


C4i-sxMWAAA_fZO.jpg



Here are some images of the laser itself, the lens and the dot or whatever it has now become, hopefully that helps.

The scratch is in the center of the lens, it isn't very clear, sorry for shitty camera, it looks like a dot.

Any help/tips are appreciated.
Click to expand...

It's very easy to do, here's how. You purchase a new lens.
 
Last edited:
BowtieGuy

BowtieGuy

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That lens is toast, it looks to be an acrylic lens, and you've probably made it worse by trying to clean it.
Depending on what you paid for this, Steve is probably correct; just replace it. BTW, that isn't anywhere near a 1W laser.

If you can somehow unscrew, or remove your existing lens, you may be able to replace it with one of these acrylic lens from AixiZ.

Edit: Another option, would be to replace the lens with a glass 3 element lens like one of these from DTR's store.
 
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Radim

Radim

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BowtieGuy said:
That lens is toast, it looks to be an acrylic lens, and you've probably made it worse by trying to clean it.
Depending on what you paid for this, Steve is probably correct; just replace it. BTW, that isn't anywhere near a 1W laser.

If you can somehow unscrew, or remove your existing lens, you may be able to replace it with one of these acrylic lens from AixiZ.

Edit: Another option, would be to replace the lens with a glass 3 element lens like one of these from DTR's store.
Click to expand...

Yes, it seems much lower power. 1 W beast at 532 nm is usually much bigger due to significant heating during operation and the price of such a laser is quite high as well.

Edit: Also the beam looks not nearly to 1 W.
 
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CurtisOliver

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By the looks of the backwash of the that laser on it's surroundings, I wouldn't even put that laser at 50mW. 35mW being fair. But for the main point in question, you won't be able to repair that lens now. You will need to replace it and then refocus it.
 
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scrublordlt

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I won't argue, I thought it was pretty underwhelming for a 1W, I guess that's why. Anyway, I removed the lens, here's some pics, is it fixable, will any lens fit and if yes, which ones?

C4jQTesWAAEBD-k.jpg


C4jQTvtWcAYVI0P.jpg


C4jQUaHWAAATlLf.jpg
 
CurtisOliver

CurtisOliver

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How much did the laser cost you? Because if it was cheap, then you might as well save the hassle of finding a fitting a new lens and get a new laser. What diameter is the current lens?
 
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scrublordlt

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around 5mm but its really not precise, the laser itself was 25 eur, dont really wanna buy a new one especially when this one works :/
 
CurtisOliver

CurtisOliver

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I understand. The problem is getting a lens similar to the one you have got. 5mm is quite a small lens considering. If you don't want to get another one, then you will have to find another lens and modify the host so you can refocus the beam. What is the lens barrel size?
 
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scrublordlt

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I'm not sure which part that is. The metal one is roughly 2cm x 1.4, the black plastic part is 0.8 x 0.6 cm
 
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steve001

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scrublordlt said:
I'm not sure which part that is. The metal one is roughly 2cm x 1.4, the black plastic part is 0.8 x 0.6 cm
Click to expand...

Find a lens. There are many places that sell single lenses. You'll also have to determine the damaged lens focal length then shop around for a matching lens or a lens that is close to the original. You can google how to find the focal length of a lens.
The lens barrel is the part the lens sets in. I prefer the term "lens housing".
 
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BowtieGuy

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Here is an example of a acrylic lens that is availble, this one happens to be a pack of 5, and the diameter is 5mm, with the focal length being 17mm on these.
 
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Where are you located. I have a dead 532 typical pen with that type of newer lens setup.
It's yours if that helps?
 
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scrublordlt

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That would definitely help, so far I've only been able to find packs of 5 lenses which go for 10 eur, at that rate I might as well go for a new laser, especially when I can't be sure that the lenses will 100% fit. I'm from Lithuania, a baltic state in northeast europe.
 
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GSS

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No problem its yours. The diode is out of the pen and if you would like I have another working not to powerful 532 "pen type" with the same set up that works that i'll just give you also. It runs of of 2 AAA battery's.
I need to know what are the laws out there though? Can you get complete pointers or even modules. If no I guess I just have to send the lenses.
I just happen to have them and as i'm not using them it would be a shame not to as you need them and really can't easily find them:)
 
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scrublordlt

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I believe you can send complete pointers, the laser i bought arrived last week on wednesday - not even a week passed and i already broke the lens :(
 
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