How much long are the diodes pins?

I'm a newbie on the "laser self product".. but i want to build my first laser (not a pointer but a "table" laser ), i have one Pentium 4 heatsink with fan, i want to buy one driver and one diode and an aixiz module, but i'm not a PRO on soldering, i've already tried to solder two cables on one 100mW DVD burner diode but.. damm the pins are very short and i'm going to destroy my diodes! So i want to know how long are the LD pins because if they are 0.5/1 cm longer i'm work fine and i don't have problem with solder but if the pins are long like the DVD burner diode (0.2/0.3 cm) it is very difficult for me. (i want to build a 100/500 mW laser and i have the project in my mind) someone can help me please?

diode pin length varies.... your soldering might not have killed your diodes. You could have killed them with ESD. are you using a good flux and the solder blob technique. If so you should be fine

Remember to properly groud your self before handling diodes. They are very sensitive.

michael.