Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Low cost 532nm C6 Build

Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
464
Points
28
Well I have made a few of these now and they are all pretty simple builds, just need a few basic tools and a little bit of handyman knowledge wouldn't hurt but not essential.First off you need a 12mm 532nm laser diode module with driver attached, get one with the spring on it as it will save hunting around for them. There are so many places out there that that sell these modules but ebay seems to have the largest range from a $!0 10mW up to an $80 200mW. Then you will also need the host and heat sink. I got my hosts from DX and heatsinks from livinloud but you can get both from Survival lasers at a total cost of under $20 at time of writing. I am sure there are other places too!
The Host
9722-c6-host.jpg

Dissasembled, put aside all that is NOT black as it is not needed.
9723-parts.jpg

Prepping the host with the dremel and wire brush removing all the anodising from inside and outside threads to make for good electrical contact current flow! I believe you can also use some types of oven cleaner to remove the anodising but be careful!
9724-preping-host.jpg

9725-prepping.jpg

9726-prepping.jpg
9727-prepping.jpg

Next I have found it helpful for better electrical contact through the threads is to get some adhesive copper tape and do a single wrap around all the male threads. in this photo I have used a wider piece that can be pushed down into the heat sink housing to make sure the sink has good connection to the host.
9728-earthing-tape.jpg
9729-earthing-tape.jpg

The copper tape is thin enough to allow the parts to thread back together easily as long as you ply do one lap and a slight overlap.
9730-earthing-tape.jpg


Next you will need to prep the Diode module and if you have one that already has the spring on it then it is just a matter of a small solder job by-passing the switch, if it has no spring then you need to get one and solder that on too! I get mine from DTR and Flamingpyro. Both members here!
9731-img-0013.jpg

If your module has the wires attached just desolder or chop them off, then use a piece of that same wire to solder to opposite pins each side of the switch, DON'T let it get to Hot!
9732-bypassing-switch.jpg

Next place Module into heat sink and tighten retaining screw.
9733-img-0018.jpg

Screw all parts back together leaving tail cap till last. Remember that these Modules are Case Positive which means you place the positive end (nipple) of the battery towards the tail cap! Make sure that the laser end is not facing you whilst doing this as the switch may be on and you could get flashed!
9734-img-0019.jpg

Some for a special project I have been doing. From 200mW to 40mW and others in-between. You can also purchase the warning stickers. I got mine from Survival lasers and the Holographic ones from Nick at innovative lasers.
9735-special-project-box.jpg

These beam shots were 20 sec exposure so are a bit overcooked. but this was a around a 40mW diode that was sold as a 5mW and you have no problem whatsoever seeing the beam at night!
9738-8s5a4457.jpg
9739-8s5a4458.jpg

9741-8s5a4460.jpg


Well there you go, a fair dinkum do it your self cheap but robust and classy build. If you have not done one yet I suggest you start ordering the parts now!
 
Last edited:





Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
5,013
Points
0
Now it is clear why you have been buying all my heat sinks. Thats awesome! I think I have like 16 copper left in case you ran out lol

BTW in case it wasnt clear, nice work
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
17,252
Points
113
Yeah. I've done a few of these. I also make a small laser in an aluminum enclosure that has a 5 VDC fan and runs on a single 18650 battery. These are small enough to fit in your pocket, but will have a duty cycle of 30 minutes.
 

XD001

0
Joined
Feb 15, 2014
Messages
107
Points
18
Yeah. I've done a few of these. I also make a small laser in an aluminum enclosure that has a 5 VDC fan and runs on a single 18650 battery. These are small enough to fit in your pocket, but will have a duty cycle of 30 minutes.

How do you make that?!? And how much did it cost you to make it.. Interesting
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
17,252
Points
113
XD001, if you would like to see one, go to my profile and click on "pictures and albums". There are several picture albums there. Find the one that is the laser build for my daughter for Christmas, and there you will find one of these builds and the power output graph. They don't cost a lot, but they are a lot of work. If you're still interested, I will show you where you can get all the supplies to make one and their relative costs. :) Paul
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
17,252
Points
113
I may have found a driver that will work that is about $5.00 each for quantity purchase. It was the one that I had a question into the sales engineer in China. He has replied, and I have a follow up question, but this might work great.
 

3Pig

0
Joined
Oct 26, 2013
Messages
242
Points
0
Nice build.

I did the same thing with a "200mW" laserlands module and a 18650. The laser looks alot better with a cr123 so the module dosnt stick out. I had to cut the hell out of both the module spring and the tailcap spring. Module still sticks out about 2cm from the end of the host.
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
17,252
Points
113
Yeah, I took a chance and ordered four of the 532nm DPSSL modules with drivers on the chance that they can be adjusted up to over 100mW, and I got the same flashlight to see how it would work with this build. All of the other DPSSLs I have are rated at between 150 and 200mW and cost me a whole lot more than these four I bought from FASTTECH. If it doesn't work out, I'm only out $22.50 for the lasers and $1.89 for the flashlight.
 
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
464
Points
28
Yeah, I took a chance and ordered four of the 532nm DPSSL modules with drivers on the chance that they can be adjusted up to over 100mW, and I got the same flashlight to see how it would work with this build. All of the other DPSSLs I have are rated at between 150 and 200mW and cost me a whole lot more than these four I bought from FASTTECH. If it doesn't work out, I'm only out $22.50 for the lasers and $1.89 for the flashlight.

Thanks Everyone!

Yeah I think I got some 5mW modules from Fasttech. I don't know if you will get 100mW from them but the ones I got were certainly over spec and produce a nice little beam, fine for star pointing! I would like to know of somewhere where I could lay my hands on some 300mW + 12mm 532nm modules????
I did see one that was a 300mW in a 20mm module but no lens.
I do have some more C6 Builds in the planning. Some 405nm and 445nm. also going to start some 501B Builds as well as looking for someone to build me a custom host or two!
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
17,252
Points
113
busman2, I haven't seen the 300mW 532nm DPSSLs, but I have a blue 501B in my pictures and albums that is a 300mW red laser. The blue host with the red laser light is just so cool IMO.
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
17,252
Points
113
busman2, they sure are proud of that module! $231.00 without a lens! At least they offer a host for it with the lens you need for $35.00. It looks like there is an infrared filter with the host, too. That is $267.00 for the whole thing, and a six month warrantee for the build as long as you don't take the module apart. Still, that is an expensive laser module. I would need to want it an awful lot before spending that kind of money on a 350mW 532nm DPSSL. I believe for that kind of money I could find a completed build that would do better than 350mW.
 




Top