CHEAP electronics parts for DIY lasers

Check out this store on eBay, he ships worldwide:
http://stores.ebay.com/Techno-Star_W0QQsspagenameZL2222QQtZkm
Look at the prices for his capacitors! He has 16v 10uf capacitors for 3¢ a piece. He has 7805 regulators for only 25¢ a piece and 78L05A regulators for 10¢, sure beats radioshack's prices. He has a bunch of stuff that look fun to mess around with so I thought you guys might find this store useful.

Yes this store is great. Great prices. Those 10uf 16v caps should be all you need for BR diodes.
Note especially the 50ohm 25 turn trimpots for $0.99

Oh thats a great selection he has. Nice Find.

He combines shipping and is a fast shipper too! I ordered some stuff from him but I forgot to order the 50ohm trim pots so I had to place a second order for them. BTW, I thank styro for pointing the website out to me and posting the link here. I can assure all of you this guy is a great seller

IMO the 10uf 16v caps are all you need for any laser diode. Currently for the BR diode I am using a 78L05A, a 9.7 ohm 1/4 watt resistor in series with the diode, a 1 ohm resistor used to measure current (this is optional and can be removed after taking the reading to save space) and of course the capacitor soldered across the diode. NOTE- Every diode is going to be a little different. The way I calculated the resistor was to use my 25 ohm rheostat, and once I achieved a comfortable ~35ma's, I measured the resistance across the rheostat which gave me the value of resistor I would need.

I would prefer to use the 50 ohm trim pots for a precise way to adjust the current and will as soon as I receive them. I plan to build a dual regulator set up, one for the BR and the other for the red. I know the red in this diode is weak, but I am curious and I like to experiment..

I just picked up a few pieces and parts from him. Very nice selection... Thanks!

VERY nice find! ;D

Nice one, at last a one stop shop for important little bits

Regards rog8811

CHEAP STUFF
now i can really make a profit off those lasers....
ER UMM, im not selling them....
;D