Removing collimating lens without an optics driver

Hey guys, the n00b (pun intended) needs help...again...

I'm modding a 1mW keyring (the one that looks like a ladies' toy), and I absolutely CANNOT stand the silly tip. The first plan is to get rid of that.

I have the tip from a green module, and it has a glass collimating lens.

I've since tried using that as a second collimating lens, even matching the divergence/shape of the beam when it hits the lens so it's not to different from when it was in the greenie. No luck there.

So, enough blabber- here's the question- How do I remove the lens without a special two-prong optics screwdriver?

I've tried using a pin, a compass, and even a pair of scissors without luck. I have a feeling that it may be glued in place, but I can't see any glue on it at all.

Does anyone know how to get the collimating lens out without damaging it? Anyone who can solve the problem has +rep in store for them.

Thanks in advance,

goninan_bl00d

P.S. If anyone's interested, the plan is to swap around the collimating lenses, and to install a dichroic filter from a DVD drive where the greenie's lens was to cut down on the beam splash.

P.P.S. Forgive me if this post makes no sense, or if it's a stupid question with an obvious answer. I'm tired and sleepy.

I picked up a set of tweezers from jaycar..

Stainless Steel Tweezer Set - Jaycar Electronics

It comes with a long fine pointed type tweezer which naturally speads inwards instead of outwards like normal tweezers. I have used those before and they really come in handy. If the lens is glued in, it might take some careful work to get it freed, but these should help.

Its the one on the far left

Probably, it's glued ..... loctite threadblocker or something similar .....a damn pain to take away, sometimes .....

Heat can loosen it, but can also ruin all the rest (usually it start to loose around 150C)

I managed to get the lens out by drilling it.

Oh well, I finished the mod. It looks better IRL.



Beam splash is mostly gone at close range, too.

The dichro looks very crude, but it also looks cool.

beam shots and laser specs pleaese

TTerbo said:

beam shots and laser specs pleaese

Click to expand...

Specs are in OP..... :thinking:

err woops i ment photos of the splash etc

Not possible now, because the switch died.

Switches do not like being clogged with epoxy. I'm trying to figure how to remove the module and de-epoxy the assembly while not damaging the module or host.