Looking for laser newb info

Hi folks. I'm starting a business that will sell a product with a burning laser in it. I cant tell you what the product is because I don't want you to steal my brilliant idea. However, if you could give me some basic info that would be awesome.

I am looking for a laser that will burn things. It doesnt have to be super high powered, just enough to light a match in a few seconds from 3 inches away.

I would like it to be compact. Maybe a maximum of 4 inches long and no bigger around than a penny. It would be best if the laser only turned on when the button was depressed.

Can I find a laser like this for anywhere under 120 dollars without having to modify it?

Also, what sort of legality issues would I have to worry about if any? I live in the U.S.


Thanks for your help.

Robert

Hey Robert...
Welcome to the Forum....:yh:

I can see by your questions that you have not read any of the Threads/Posts
on the Forum...

You will need to start by doing some basic research right here on the Forum
yourself...
You will need to read... read... and read some more...

Start by going to the Forum Home page.... here....

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/laser_pointer_forums_3/forum/index.php

Read at least the first 2 sections...

Remember... the [Search] button is your friend...


Jerry

Yeah...

I kinda hoped to bypass the whole reading thing by getting a quick answer from somebody who knows stuff about lasers. That would be awesome if you were like "oh, buy this laser". And then im like thanks laser guru, you da man.

If you're looking for a laser to burn things, and you want to sell your product in the U.S., then I doubt you will be able to find a laser that small that meets the legal requirements. How many mW of power are you looking for?

How much power would I need to light a cigarette?

I saw this laser for sale. Tell me if you think its legit.

http://www.ucomshop.com/product_info.php?language=en&currency=USD&products_id=2034

That idea has already been thought of. Search the forums and you'll see what I mean

Hey cujojunior.....
Sounds like you're a little lazy dude....

I kinda hoped to bypass my day job by having someone else pay my bills...
(but that's never going to happen)...

It would be awesome if you were like "oh I'll come and cut your grass"
and then I'm like thanks grass cutting guru, you da man..

Your basic questions have been asked hundreds of times before...
and the answers are easily found here... all you need to do is make
an effort to be a member here and look it up...
The info is Free for the taking...

Here I'll get you started....

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.910

BTW... if you had done a little research you would look a little
less of a noob asking about lighting a cigarette with a 50mW
green Laser... IMO


Jerry

That isnt even my idea. Like I said, its top secret.

The ad i posted said that laser would melt electrical tape. I figure if it melts tape it should light a cig no?

Laserbee...Hahaha. Your such a bad ass. With all the effort you spent trying to belittle me on a laser pointer forum, you could have just answered my question like a kind person instead of being a little cunt.

ok ok i take it all back. Thanks for the link. Your not a cunt. I was wrong...Bless you laser master.

Ok well there is no laser that small that would be legal in the U.S.

Laserbee is very respected here and is just trying to provide you with useful and obvious information that all "newbs" should follow. If you elaborate more we would be able to help you, otherwise don't bother asking us for help on a subject we don't even know the details of.

P.S. using that language doesn't make you seem cool or tough, but nice try.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11315 So im looking at this laser right, and I see that our loving government has decided to enhance freedom by micro managing our lives in yet another way. Is there anyway to get a hold of one of these in the U.S.? Suppose I was to sell this as part of another product. Will I have to fend off a swat team in the near future?

cujojunior said:

I kinda hoped to bypass the whole reading thing by getting a quick answer from somebody who knows stuff about lasers. That would be awesome if you were like "oh, buy this laser". And then im like thanks laser guru, you da man.

Click to expand...

what is the difference from reading the posts lasersbee gave you or reading on this useless thread all day. either way you a READING... the links he gave you were as quick as it gets if you would have just went there and checked it out.

Ok thank you for your input chip. Anyone else have a special contribution?

Remember, although you can make it, it would still be an illegal device to sell in the US.

Take everyones advice and read some more posts on this forum. The FDA (yes, the Food and Drug Administration -- they're the governmental agency that also happens to be in charge of laws regarding laser sales in the US) is cracking down on sales of illegal lasers.

Remember, if you don't have the patience for some simple research, there's not much hope for fiscal success.

^^^Yes, heaven forbid the US government actually enforce laws that have been on the books since well before 1980. They're not micromanaging your life, they're enforcing a law that has likely existed for longer than you have.

As far your super duper secret idea no one else has ever thought of, I assume you're going to patent it, right? I mean since you clearly want exclusive rights, you'll HAVE to file a patent. Well then tell us what it is. You have one year from time of first public disclosure to file your patent, and it's still yours even if you have disclosed it previously, as long as you can prove you were the first person to ever disclose it. So spill the beans, what's your super cool idea that no one else has ever thought of?

Not getting a patent? Then tell us the idea! Because without a patent, someone else is just going to copy it anyway.

And seriously, everything you're asking is already answered on the forum, multiple times, in multiple places. Laws, regulations, power requirements for burning, everything is answered. Why aren't we just answering you, you ask? "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; but teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime" (I'm sure you'll forgive me the cliche, as it's very fitting). Around here, we help those who help themselves.