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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

[Pic Heavy] 635nm <5mW Chrome Leadlight "Build"

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Hey LPF! Boy, have I been away from building lasers for a bit. My time has been focused on a mix of grades, hobbyist bushcrafting, and building a real nice flashlight for my brother. Nice ol' graduation present collaboration with me and my buddy over at CPF.

ANYWAY! Now onto the obvious crux of this thread, my new <5mW 635nm Chrome Leadlight.

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I've always wanted a 635nm laser and didn't really want one up in the +100mW range. My first idea was the obvious... buy a diode and make a driver. But then I remembered seeing these cheap "5mW" 635nm line modules on fleebay. They ran off of a 3V driver and you can just remove the diffraction grating to get a clean dot. So I put it together into a shiny ol' Chrome Leadlight.

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I don't really call this a build because I really only soldered two wires and used a pre-assembled module. I definitely enjoy doing a build from the ground up much more. But here's the dot. Single mode and just radiating with 635nm goodness :)

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One thing noteworthy about this is that the module is case positive and so i had to use a case positive set up. Which is really not my favored case-setup, but I don't really mind that much. Like my other Leadlight build using a PHR-805, I had to use a magnet in order to have sufficient contact between the two AAAs and the spring of the switch board and the tail cap.

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My DIY LPM only picks it up as 3-4mW and its brighter than all my 650nm pointers. So those two facts give me peace of mind that it indeed is 635nm. Plus I can definitely see the difference between the two wavelengths.

That's it for my build! Thanks for checking it out. I'd recommend a build like this for someone trying to get their feet wet with lasers who wants something a little more than 650nm but doesn't want a ton of power. And hey, its a nice addition to anyone's laser collection :D I don't see myself dabbling too much in high power 635nm lasers so I think this will be my only 635nm laser for now at least.

And of course.....

BEAMSHOTS!

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Thanks for taking the time to check out my thread :) I really appreciate it! If anyone has any questions regarding how to put together a leadlight, I can now say I have experience in both adjustable focus and fixed focus builds. I'm not the best person to ask as there are much much much much MUCH better builders than me, but I will answer any question to the best of my ability :) and if I don't know the answer, I'll try to point you in the right direction.

Check out some of my other builds! They're much more interesting than this. The link to them is in my signature.

Okay I'm rambling.

Keep on building!
 





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Mar 22, 2011
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Thanks for the kind words :) I love the host as well. They've got great weight to give it a good solid feeling!
 
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Looks great, 635nm is a really nice and bright red. Did you get the leadlight as an
empty host? I have never been able to crack one open without destroying the finish.
 
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wow, i love all your red laser beamshots, they look soo cool!
and i love that shiny host, gotta find me one so i can attempt something like this.
Good build!
 
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Looks great, 635nm is a really nice and bright red. Did you get the leadlight as an
empty host? I have never been able to crack one open without destroying the finish.

Yup, I'd meant to put a 200mW SOC in there but I figured I'd rather heatsink that into a...well.... heatsink. So I put this little guy in there :) Runs like a charm!

wow, i love all your red laser beamshots, they look soo cool!
and i love that shiny host, gotta find me one so i can attempt something like this.
Good build!

Thanks, it's appreciated on my end that the photos are enjoyed :) Lemme know if you end up putting this together!

Oh, one last tidbit. I secured the switchboard in place with some regular epoxy, then thermally epoxied the module in the host but left some of the module in direct contact with the case to allow a case connection.
 
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You're using the Module From these NewWish <5mW 635nm pens from eBay? YES!! (I just read it) :D
They can run up to ~35mW!
 
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You're using the Module From these NewWish <5mW 635nm pens from eBay? YES!! (I just read it) :D
They can run up to ~35mW!

I wouldn't suspect that's the one they use though. I mean its in an Aixiz mount. I was under the impression NewWish style modules used different diode/lens housings. but I could be wrong, this is my first ever 635nm. Mine's right around 5mW which is what I wanted so I didn't get a freak :)
 
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Fret! Nice build, why does your beamshots always look so sexy? Is it your camera settings? Anyway, looks WAY more powerful than 5mW haha
 
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Fret! Nice build, why does your beamshots always look so sexy? Is it your camera settings? Anyway, looks WAY more powerful than 5mW haha

Thanks, it takes a few shots to get a good one, but the payoff is pleasing :) Yeah the 635nm beam is pretty sweet!

It is the smoke, the magic ingredient. :)

Nice build !

Yup, t'is the ingredient! I usually blow the fog into the area of the beam that is in frame in order to get a good uniform distribution.
 
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I like these pen-style hosts, I think you're going to have me put one of my 685's in one soon ;)
Problem is making my own driver for these things...
 

midias

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I like these pen-style hosts, I think you're going to have me put one of my 685's in one soon ;)
Problem is making my own driver for these things...

For low power <100ma drivers are easy to-220 LM317L and LM337 drivers and two 10440 batteries


Here is my 685nm laser with LM317L driver

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Thanks! I'm gonna pick up one or two of these; as well as a host that's not from staples :whistle:
 
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I've been meaning to throw together a 685nm. I like the red spectrum so I think it would be a great addition.

Good luck on your attempt!
 




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