Fears from a first timer...

Okay, call it too much Star Wars as a kid, but I am really excited to build my first laser. I have ordered my project box (MXDL 5W flashlight), an open can diode in an Aixiz housing, a flexdrive, and have a heatsink idea that I am eager to try.

Now that all I have left is waiting, I am developing a fear that my little burning laser project is going to reflect off of a match head and blind everyone within a two mile radius. I exadurate a bit but I am genuinely concerned about demonstrating the laser unless everyone is wearing 650nm approved goggles. How much of a concern should I have? Obviously I would NEVER point it at a living thing or at a reflective object such as a mirror or glass.

Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

Well, it really depends on how close they are to the match head. : If there eyes are 1 foot away then they may get some damage but at 10 feet its just very bright. NEVER point it at at any reflective surface or any aircraft of course.

--hydro15

It's ok to be nervous your first time, everybody is. Just take it nice and easy, don't rush...oh wait, nevermind. :-X






Yeah, be VERY conscientious of having a laser like that around other people. My personal rules, if I want to show off my laser to others:

1) Never hand it to someone without them fully understanding what it is. "This laser is dangerous, it WILL blind you, it is not a toy, don't point it at ANYTHING" is kind of the gist of what I tell them. Just make sure anyone else touching it knows exactly what it is and is not capable of.

2) If you're going to turn it on around other people, warn them what it is, what it is capable of, what you're going to do with it, etc. I'm not advocating demonstrating burning power to others, but if you do feel the need to turn it on, others need to know what it is so they can choose to not be there if they don't want to be.

2a) If you going to turn it on around others, use it in a situation where there's no chance of someone else getting a reflection. Like, if you're going to pop a balloon, do all your focusing to get it right while no one else is in the room. Again, not advocating doing this, but if you feel the need, take precautions when doing it.

At the powers you're looking at, 250mW easy, stray reflections can do some damage. But proper control can limit the risks involved if you're careful. But there is always a risk of vision damage when using lasers like this. There is always a risk of damage even with goggles, but goggles do lessen that risk.

My biggest advice for a new laser hobbyist, is that when it's just you, it's your risk and your eyesight. No one else is responsible but you, so know the risks and act accordingly. The same goes for having the laser around other people. They need to know the risks, so that they can act accordingly, and it is up to you to make sure that they know what the real risks are and what they can do to protect themselves.

^^^ well said! and be careful!

Thank you for the input. Active forums like this one are a wealth of information for newcomers like me. My fears have been allayed a bit and I posted in the safety section with my findings on some cheap military laser goggles that should be perfect for this application and were only $12.95. I think having goggles will be all the difference for me personally.

I wonder how many people followed that video on youtube and ended up with permanent vision problems. To just follow that "flashlight hack" makes it seem like you just plug in and fire away. No mention is made of the necessary safety precautions. I am the type to research something before jumping in but many others aren't. I am just thankful that I found this forum so that I am assured I am proceeding correctly.

Thanks.