Opening up a DX 200mW new wish laser?

I'd like to transplant the module into a one of my host/sink combos but I need to get the module out without wrecking it.  The new wish doesn't open in an obvious fashion?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1997

Oh, mine does 120mW of 532nm light.

Those pen styles are very hard to get apart, the tip is glued in. Some people have been successful using a couple pliers and twisting off the cap. This did not work for me though, just glued on too good. Heating it a little to soften the glue might make it easier, but don't get it too hot as this will obviously kill it. If you find a way that works let me know.

If you put pliers in the aperture hole , you can bend the metal out so it's basically just a tube. You can then just try pressing the module out the back.

-Adam

they are easy to open up i have done everytime i've tried too (except the firstone  i broke that one) wrap the cap with cardboard or leather then wiggle with pliers simple  

edit do not twist unit it will break componets inside use some back and forth pretty strong leverage it will slowly pull off the just push cap back on later if needed board ond housing is connected to cap so be carefull

OK edit edit If anyone wants me to open a newish style laser for them i will, just pay postage back to yourself i'll do it for free but taking these apart is a risk so[highlight] no guarantees [/highlight]on the unit working afterwards

Ok, thanks. So its glued in there and not threaded etc. I was thinking I might carefully spin it up in the lathe and cut the cap off. Does the module then press out through the laser output end?

No, you will need to push it out from the output end toward the battery section. Trying to push it from the inside has too much risk of damaging the board and connection to the diode.

The silver tip is not glued in. It's just very tightly pressed into the body tube. I recommend using 2 pairs of vise grips and some leather. Just twist the two sections slowly and the silver cap should pop off...

I use a tube cutter. They're those little, cheap things that you can buy at a hardware store, intended for cutting copper tubing to the right length when you're doing plumbing work and the like. Kind of like a cross between a vice and a can opener with no handle. Tighten, full turn, retighten, full turn, lather, rinse, repeat. After a few full turns, you will have cut the outer tubing cleanly. From the descriptions here, it should work just fine with these ones. Cost about $5 apiece for the tool, so...

Before anyone asks, no, they cannot open a can. Those are too small, though the blade is sharp enough.