Cheapest red or blue laser pointer that mounts diffraction gratings

How can I determine if a laser pointer sold online can easily mount a diffraction grating like the ones sold at laserlands.net?

I'm searching for the cheapest 5mW laser pointers that do not require modification to mount such lenses, ideally around $3 each. Any thoughts?

I've easily mounted such lenses on $3ish 5mW red laser modules from dx.com, but I'd like fully self contained laser pointers to give away as party favors, well playa gifts really. There are laser pointers on dx.com that look like ones I've seen with diffraction gratings on youtube.

I'm not buying in real bulk per se, probably only 10 units, maybe more if really inexpensive. I'd much prefer AAAs over watch batteries, so that people can swap them out for rechargeables if so inclined, but whatever.

Also, does anyone know the thread specifications on the typical diffraction grating mountings I'm talking about?

I have two 'sets' coming from two diff China eekbay sellers that offer RG+Br shipped free for 12$usd. IMO you wont get much for 3$ in green or blu-ray.

A DG can be attached or mounted on any laser if you know how- if its two gratings that you can rotate this will not be as easy. But still can be done.
I have searched for and found items, like plastic caps , that can be modified to slip onto the front on my lasers- I bore a hole big enough to not clip the beam, epoxy a piece of (glass)DG over the hole and I get a DG that also doubles at a dust protector. I usually spray paint these with flat black paint (first) in hopes they will not be recognized-lol


While my supply lasts I am including a nice piece of JETLASER glass DG with every laser I send out. Not easy to cut but possible- I use any odd bits leftover in my lumia wheels.

btw in higher powers a plastic DG can melt and do harm to your laser.

I'm fine with any color besides green, which conflicts with my theme. Red is fine.

hakzaw1 said:

I have searched for and found items, like plastic caps , that can be modified to slip onto the front on my lasers- I bore a hole big enough to not clip the beam, epoxy a piece of (glass)DG over the hole and I get a DG that also doubles at a dust protector. I usually spray paint these with flat black paint (first) in hopes they will not be recognized-lol

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Very good idea, exactly the sort of low budget solution I'm looking for. Thanks!

I've another backup plan of just gluing the standard metal DG holder onto the front of a cheap laser pointer as well, but actually rubber caps should cost less than that assembly.

I'll order a couple of the under $3 laser pointers listed on ebay, dx, etc. to experiment with, maybe I'll get lucky and one works, if not I'll make em' work somehow.

hakzaw1 said:

btw in higher powers a plastic DG can melt and do harm to your laser.

Click to expand...

I'd assume so, yes. Any idea when that happens? Would say a 100mW laser shining continuously do that? I'm only interested in 5mW or less for this project, well laser pointers you plan on gifting to random strangers better not be dangerous.

these pics i just took for you to see how I made in 30 min a dual DG for the Jetlaser Pl-E this one is a 532/600 that peaks around 790mW shipped out today to Eric--
the cap I found for the other laser( a JetL titanium Ti-B 532/100) is the cap that protects the threads on those small propane bottles- a tight fit but usable.
the other two are medicine bottle caps.. as these are 'prototypes' I did not spray paint with flat black- before gluing-- so I just used a black sharpie for now. the first laser pic is just one of the caps- the second has both caps-- I can rotate the outer one for more variations.
Both of these gratings are the same- ==

nyarlathotep said:

I'm fine with any color besides green, which conflicts with my theme. Red is fine.



Very good idea, exactly the sort of low budget solution I'm looking for. Thanks!

I've another backup plan of just gluing the standard metal DG holder onto the front of a cheap laser pointer as well, but actually rubber caps should cost less than that assembly.

I'll order a couple of the under $3 laser pointers listed on ebay, dx, etc. to experiment with, maybe I'll get lucky and one works, if not I'll make em' work somehow.



I'd assume so, yes. Any idea when that happens? Would say a 100mW laser shining continuously do that? I'm only interested in 5mW or less for this project, well laser pointers you plan on gifting to random strangers better not be dangerous.

Click to expand...

I dont think 100 mW of green would melt/smoke a grating and the cheapy red pen pointers with 'star caps' def. would not melt anything and would be the safest to give to strangers- forget the keychain button battery lasers- but their many star caps can be usable on other lasers so...

Yeah, those button-battery lasers barely last with 5mw lasers.

Ahh cool, thanks. Yes, ideally I'll find a suitable cheap AAA driven pointer. Thanks!

At ebay you can find some china sellers offering at 14$ three pens R/G/and V- offer them 11$ and then accept their counter offer of 12$ ships for free in about 15 to 20 days.
all will be VERY overspec and use 3 aaa primary batts- they have no real HS so be kind or they will die soon.
G was average of 40+ mW
R was an impressive 80 to 100mW and the Violets were all three around 90 mW.
I got 12 to see if they al were OSpec and they were..