Got my first laser! and need some help

equlizer · Feb 22, 2008

Well i got my first laser today. still need to find a housing and a switch for it. I got it focussed and made some things burn ;D but......there is a halo around the dot that is quite annoying. Also too when i go and shine it on the wall, it turns into a huge dot. The further away i go, the bigger the dot gets

The housing is brass with a focusing screw and the diode is a open can pioneer 22x and runs at 4.5v with a driver

I just noticed, my eyes are starting to see funky colors. Is there something wrong with this laser?

supernova · Feb 22, 2008

I am no expert but:

1 Get some protective eyewear so you don't permanently harm your eyes. See the posts in the safety thread.

2 I think you focused it to a very short distance, thus causing more divergence (beam/dot diameter) at longer distances. Tho a laser dot will enlarge at distances, it appears yours is focused to a distance less then ideal.

3 Get some protective eyewear!

SN

equlizer · Feb 22, 2008

I wonder if i can get eyewear locally.

and 2ndly, how do i focus it properly? all i have is 1 screw in the front and a glass lense

supernova · Feb 22, 2008

Hi

http://www.wickedlasers.com/Goggles-16-1.html

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1202742071

As far as focus, you are right there is just one lens to adjust. you may find that to get the most linear beam with no spread involves a consistant point at several distances. Adjusting the focus to a smaller dot is fine for particular applications but if you venture outdoors, you may prefer a more typical focus setting to allow for various distances. There are optics kits you can use for specific applications as well.

http://www.optotronics.com/optics_kit.php

Before staring into a sharply focused dot at close range or playing with reflective glass objects, wait for your glasses and play it safe.

If you just cant stand not playing with the laser now, go outside and use the dark sky for safe fun.

If the dot your seeing seems intensely bright, it's probably not a good idea to look at it with out protective glasses.

SN

equlizer · Feb 22, 2008

my friend has a pair of welding goggles. Could i use those?

also, what could i use as a cap the top to remove the halo? Someone said to drill a hole big enough to let the main beam escape (kinda like what laser pens have)

Razako · Feb 22, 2008

Welding goggles=absolutely no. You need goggles for the wavelength of laser you are using.

amkdeath · Feb 22, 2008

equlizer said:
my friend has a pair of welding goggles. Could i use those?

also, what could i use as a cap the top to remove the halo? Someone said to drill a hole big enough to let the main beam escape (kinda like what laser pens have)

dude, you eyes are well worth over 35 dollars, go buy some goggles

regards,

amk

supernova · Feb 22, 2008

Please get some protective glasses, then you can make apertures and such.

You have 2 eyes, make sure you have 2 eyes when you have a mini lab and have the knowledge you learn via playing with your lasers. It would really suck if you get into this and before you create a really cool "whatever" you cant see anymore.

Sorry to sound like a "dud" but not only is it pertinent to see with lasers, it sure is nice to see in everyday life.

Spend the money to buy protective eyewear before you spend it on a really cool high power laser that tempts you to put yourself in danger.

SN

Gazoo · Feb 22, 2008

You can get a pair of WL lasershades from pseudonomen137 for 46.75 shipped in the US. Not sure how much it would cost otherwise. But it is a good deal so I would PM him for info.

Regarding the GB goggles, I would avoid it until they have all the specs for them. You can't replace your eyes for any cost...get good protective eyewear.

amkdeath · Feb 22, 2008

Gazoo said:
You can get a pair of WL lasershades from pseudonomen137 for 46.75 shipped in the US. Not sure how much it would cost otherwise. But it is a good deal so I would PM him for info.

Regarding the GB goggles, I would avoid it until they have all the specs for them. You can't replace your eyes for any cost...get good protective eyewear.

I wouldn't say avoid it, but gazoo is right, you shouldn't gamble with your organs

equlizer · Feb 23, 2008

Any place in canada i can get them from? Ive had too many things from the states "take forever" to get here (and i mean over a month)

clwatkins10 · Feb 23, 2008

wicked lasers is in china, and their shipping is $20 but it only takes about 2 days to get to you

equlizer · Feb 23, 2008

K well i got it all done up with a switch in one of those small electrical project box. I took it outside to see how far it would shine and it doesnt get very far

The further away i go with it, the bigger the dot

how do i get it so it can look like my $2 laser pointer that can go further?

Abray · Feb 23, 2008

shine it on something far away, and then turn the focusing screw and try to make the dot as small as you.

equlizer · Feb 23, 2008

so ill have to do this each time i want to focus on a different distance? Is this what everyone has to do when they build their own?

chido · Feb 23, 2008

Yes, but just for burning. It's actually better to have a focusable laser since you don't usually get this option when you buy them, and when you can't focus the laser, you'll only be able to burn things at certain distances.

Got my first laser! and need some help

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