First home built laser

conceptcar3 · Mar 10, 2010

Hey everybody! I just finished assembling my first, and I've attached some images. It's a 250mW red. The host is a mini maglight. Hope you enjoy!! Any input is appreciated!

photonaholic · Mar 10, 2010

Nice build, What driver did you incorporate into that design ??

HaloBlu · Mar 10, 2010

Hi, what driver is powering the red? Also I can't quite tell what the aixiz module is set into.
If you want some input then it would be better if the aixiz was set flush (except for the focusing ring) into something that can dissipate heat well (usually aluminum).
Keep an eye... well... finger on your aixiz module, when it gets warm stop & let it cool for a bit. Laser diodes like to stay cool.

Reflections from 250mW will cause eye damage, please always use laser goggles made for reds. /EndStdSafetyComment

~edit~
few seconds fast then me photonaholic :\

conceptcar3 · Mar 10, 2010

This has a flexdrive powering the diode.... it is a larger size, rectangular circuit board, I am not sure which version it is considered... As far as setting it flush, the larger flexdrive couldnt be pushed back any further into the host, It would require a different driver circuit. I attached an image of what the driver looks like. The module is not really "set" into anything. I drilled a hole into a large washer, which i then glued to the surface of the host, and glued the business end of the aixiz module to the washer. No heat sink

so i will have to use a short duty cycle with this one.

photonaholic · Mar 10, 2010

Cool, it's NOT a kipkay hack.....

conceptcar3 · Mar 10, 2010

Hah! I had never heard of this kipkay hack before... I just googled it. It's almost identicle to what I have here lol. I just went up to meijer and picked out a flashlight that looked suitable and it happened to be the mini maglite which is what he uses. Instead of using the cheap plastic piece to drill a hole in, I used a nice metal washer.

Ah well, even though its nearly identicle to this hack for the masses, i still consider it a success because I didn't even know about the video!

photonaholic said:
Cool, it's NOT a kipkay hack.....

Asherz · Mar 10, 2010

conceptcar3 said:
Hah! I had never heard of this kipkay hack before... I just googled it. It's almost identicle to what I have here lol. I just went up to meijer and picked out a flashlight that looked suitable and it happened to be the mini maglite which is what he uses. Instead of using the cheap plastic piece to drill a hole in, I used a nice metal washer. Ah well, even though its nearly identicle to this hack for the masses, i still consider it a success because I didn't even know about the video!

Photon wasn't saying you've done anything wrong, you've done it well actually and correct.

I think he was referring ti Kipkay because he didn't use a driver, and just slaps the diode straight to the batteries which is stupid.

your build is nice, specially considering you haven't got a custom heatsink things won't be easy to put together so you've got some nice ingenuity going on.

well done, look forward to seeing some more builds

Check out jayrob's builds, he sells some custom heatsinks for specific hosts, if you feel like taking it easy they come pretty much as simple as soldering the diode on to the wires too having to put everything together your self except you have the custom heatsink.

Eudaimonium · Mar 10, 2010

Wow, damn your first build is really impressive!

Can you tell us how you turn on/off the laser? It cannot be a twist on/off anymore,
And what current is the diode set at?

Also, where did you get the diode?

Good job !

jander6442 · Mar 10, 2010

Thats some shiny solder job on the contact points between the pins and the driver.

I set my drivers up in similar fashion. I would say that your build is OK for first time.

The driver diode part of the build was awsome... just need to complement that.

Next time go with a kit if you can. You defiantly have some mad soldering skillz

conceptcar3 · Mar 10, 2010

Current is set at 340mA. I bought a clicky button tailcap for the minimag b/c I was having to remove the tail cap to power on/off which is difficult b/c it has a lot of threading. I bought the module + diode here: 650nm 20x DVD Burner Laser Diode in Aixiz Laser Module Housing [650nm SF-AW210 in Aixiz module] - $22.38 : High Tech DealZ, Simplifying the LASER Hobby!

Thanks all for positive comments, and advice

I hope next build to be more professional

Eudaimonium · Mar 10, 2010

You have a great laser !

I like the replacement tailcap idea, twist on off is bad thing in laser hobby.

You can now shoot a video of it and post as a reply to Kipkays video

He did not use any replacement switch, guess how he turns on the laser.
He also did use a driver, no diode survives 2X AA direct.

Keep up the good work man!

conceptcar3 · Mar 10, 2010

Eudaimonium said:
You have a great laser !

I like the replacement tailcap idea, twist on off is bad thing in laser hobby.

You can now shoot a video of it and post as a reply to Kipkays video

He did not use any replacement switch, guess how he turns on the laser.
He also did use a driver, no diode survives 2X AA direct.

Keep up the good work man!

Thanks a lot man! I enjoy this laser, I'm happy with how it turned out. I do wish i had a smaller driver circuit so it would fit flush with end of flashlight, now i know for next time

First home built laser

conceptcar3

0

Attachments

photonaholic

0

HaloBlu

0

conceptcar3

0

Attachments

photonaholic

0

conceptcar3

0

Asherz

0

Eudaimonium

0

jander6442

0

conceptcar3

0

Eudaimonium

0

conceptcar3

0

Online statistics

Forum statistics

Share this page