My first 445 build using 18650 kit

This is my new build using Jay's 18650 kit.

Options:

18650 Host
Micro Boost mounted inside pill @ 900mA's
Copper Heat Sink drilled for AixiZ module
AixiZ 445 lens with EZ Focus Adapter
xj-a140 diode from Dave
AW 18650 3.7V 2600mAh

I must apologize. I really wanted to provide a beam power measurement but I only have a lower power IR DIY LPM that I had made. I'm saving up for a LaserBee II that measures up to 3200mW. I can't wait to get accurate measurements on this guy.

I'm very happy with this build. As always Jay does a great job with his kits. I love the EZ Focus Adapter.

I used the diode press tool that I got from Flaminpyro. This tool is really awesome. I didn't have a vice so I placed a washer on top of the AixiZ module then pressed with vice grips.


This is the diode pressed inside the module.


I used the vice grips again holding the module very lightly so it would be easier to solder.


I first removed the blobs of solder leaving some behind on the pins then tinned my wires. I only had to touch the wire and iron to the pin for 1 second to solder them together. It's much easier when the solder connections are pre-tinned. The wire I used was from inside an old mouse.


Ready to solder the diode wires to the drive wires. I applied heat shrink to protect the diode connections. Again I pre-tinned the wires. Not shown in this pic but I also made sure to put the heat shrink pieces on before soldering. I've left them off before in other projects and it sucks to realize it after the soldering is done LOL.


Wires are soldered together and heat shrink is covering connections.


Installing heat sink. I was careful to make sure the wires went in without getting bent too much.


This is the easy focus adapter. I painted it with Krylon Fusion then painted the inside of the exit aperture with high temp grill paint.


All finished up.


Front View.


Beam Shot from side.






This is a dot shot at 30 feet. I focus my lasers to have the best looking dot to me at a distance. Trust me, it's not round. Look at the next pic


This is the dot taken at 30 feet through my goggles. You can see that the dot is rectangle since that is how I like it for these lasers. I've seen some focus it more into a line. It's all about preference for me. The length of the rectangle is just under .75".


Update #1 - Finished my warning label & logo.




matrix961

Nice build, allmost the same as my Jayrob 18650 (see my sig)

Well done. And the feel nice in the hand as well.

I believe your lens is too dirty, kind sir, as I can see an outline of you taking a picture of the dot.

Nothing but the dot is supposed to be getting out of the lens.

You would might want to look into cleaning your lens before the crp on it gets roasted to crisp.

Eudaimonium said:

I believe your lens is too dirty, kind sir, as I can see an outline of you taking a picture of the dot.

Nothing but the dot is supposed to be getting out of the lens.

You would might want to look into cleaning your lens before the crp on it gets roasted to crisp.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I re-checked my lens and it seems to be clean. I made sure it was clean by carefully looking at it in a few light sources before installation. I also blew any dust away with my hand operated air puffer (not canned air). I think this might be because of my downstairs. The dot is taken in the back corner where my bar is and the light really reflects off of the corner walls and from the edge of my bar. I was kneeling down right at the edge of my bar.

I'll have to do some pics in an area where the reflections aren't so bad just to make sure. I definitely don't want a dirty lens being a problem. I might just have to re-clean the lens to be sure.

matrix961

matrix961 said:

Thanks for the info. I re-checked my lens and it seems to be clean. I made sure it was clean by carefully looking at it in a few light sources before installation. I also blew any dust away with my hand operated air puffer (not canned air). I think this might be because of my downstairs. The dot is taken in the back corner where my bar is and the light really reflects off of the corner walls and from the edge of my bar. I was kneeling down right at the edge of my bar.

I'll have to do some pics in an area where the reflections aren't so bad just to make sure. I definitely don't want a dirty lens being a problem. I might just have to re-clean the lens to be sure.

matrix961

Click to expand...

Dirt on lens usually is not visible, at least not the type causing "star" pattern splash you have.

I take it that you do know how to clean a lens, but if not just PM me I'll help.

Awsome build and nice pictures !

Eudaimonium said:

Dirt on lens usually is not visible, at least not the type causing "star" pattern splash you have.

I take it that you do know how to clean a lens, but if not just PM me I'll help.

Awsome build and nice pictures !

Click to expand...

Wow looks like I really did need to clean it up. Thanks again, I used a tiny bit of alcohol. I see a big difference with it now. I need to do some research on optics cleaning tools and keep my lenses clean. I used to just clean them until they looked good visually. Now I know that doesn't mean they will really be clean.

After:


Before:


matrix961

Well now at this point it's hard to tell what's camera lens flare and what's dirty lens, especially at this power, but I guess it can't be too bad.

Good job!

Nice build! And glad your beam looks even better thanks to Eud.

Asa said:

Nice build! And glad your beam looks even better thanks to Eud.

Click to expand...

Thanks for +rep, Asa, I'm here to learn and help those who need it.

Not only a well built laser, well documented build too!

matrix961 said:

This is the easy focus adapter. I painted it with Krylon Fusion then painted the inside of the exit aperture with high temp grill paint.

Click to expand...

Nice touch on painting the EzFocus, hadn't thought of that. May have to do that with mine, gives it a much more 'finished' look.

AdamCaudill said:

Nice touch on painting the EzFocus, hadn't thought of that. May have to do that with mine, gives it a much more 'finished' look.

Click to expand...

I definitely like it for the black hosts. I've actually done two so far, 1 for my pocket mini and 1 for this new build. I actually used plastidip spray for the adapter on my pocket mini. This gave it a rubber like grip. Using the Krylon Fusion on this new adapter tho also gave it a similar type rubber coating feel.

I would recommend using a bit of primer spray first. This made a more even coating especially when using the plastidip spray on the first adapter.

Not sure if you can get your lens assembly off to paint the adapter separately since it may be well glued in place. You can do what I did to ensure you protect the lens shown in the pic. My second adapter wasn't glued together so I just painted it separately. Remember to give the toothpick a little twist with each coat to keep the paint from sticking to it.



matrix961

Update #1 - Finished my warning label & logo.




I know this is a old thread but does anyone have any idea how he did the warning label & logo. They look very cool, I have the exact same host coming in the mail so I will be making my 445 build soon.

The warning label looks like it was generated from this page:

Safe Lasers - Laser safety information and free warning labels.