My First 140/210 mA Hi / Lo Red Laser (16x DVD)

Well i thought the best way to introduce myself might as well be a post about a self made laser, seen as thats how i stumbled across this forum whilst looking for answers about the might laser diode.

Parts:
16x Pioneer DVD-RW LD (Red)
LM317 Circuit (100 ohm Pot etc.)
The DVD Drive shell
Old Green laser module
random things that fit together


So anyway this is just a simple DVD burner diode fitted into an old module and then fitted into a heatsink hooked to a Driver supplying about 3v and with the flick of a switch either 140mA of current (Low Power Mode) or 210-220mA (High power Mode).
when focused its rather successful at doing all the usual lighting of matches, cutting tape and what not.




Edit: Re-Adjusted to 140/240mA

good and simple

Welcome to the forums SyKo...
Its a good way to introduce yourself, damn, its so good to see someone building DVD burner lasers!
good and simple, as Kamildos said.

As for safety, always beware with your eyes! Lasers >5mW can damage your vision permanently...

You even printed a warning. Great!
What housing you're using by the way?

+1...

Syko --
It is good to see a person starting out where many of us were at about 3 years ago !!!
By starting here, you will quickly learn how to advance in the hobby.
May you soon be a major contributor to the forum..... +1
HMike

Leodahsan said:

Welcome to the forums SyKo...
Its a good way to introduce yourself, damn, its so good to see someone building DVD burner lasers!
good and simple, as Kamildos said.

As for safety, always beware with your eyes! Lasers >5mW can damage your vision permanently...

You even printed a warning. Great!
What housing you're using by the way?

+1...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome

i've got a pair of Laser goggles(650nm) coming in about a week,
as for the housing, it was just one scavenged from a broken 20mw 532nm Pen but it works and fits well so i'm happy.

anyway after making this i'm on the lookout for wherever i can get my hands on free drives and hopefully in the future i might have the funds to starts experimenting with other diodes 532, 405 etc.