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Advice on laser pointer.

Omega

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hey guys, im essentially a laser noob, but i have set forth a pretty decent project for myself.
i plan to make a blu-ray laser pointer a la these parts:

diode:
http://www.laser66.com/KipKay.html ($40)
or
tear apart a sled (~$25)

housing:
http://www.laser66.com/KipKay.html ($6)
or
aixiz ($7)

driver:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185701612 (~$4)
or
http://rkcstr.googlepages.com/lpf ($5)

case:
still up in the air, no clue, perhaps tear apart a maglite or something?

any suggestions, changes, or tips?
also, i dont think it will be able to, but could that diode cut/light things? im assuming that requires a blu-ray burner LD, which im sure are impossible to get, or impossibly expensive.
 





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For your first I would highly recommend doing a red first. They're cheaper and not as finicky. Build one, get it running right, then go after a violet laser.

It's just good for the experience. :)

Plus, burners are cool.
 
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Is it me or is that diode rediculously expensive?

Hit up the BST section, I got an 803T preinstalled in an Aixiz module from TheMonk for $50 shipped.
 

Omega

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red still requires a driver, no? and yeah, perhaps i could find a dvd burner somewhere.

im low on cash, so if i am spending any, id prefer it be on a unique color.
and el-taco, i was just considering the sled now that you say that, $40 bucks seems to be a bit too much. (even if it has longer contacts...)
 
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not to mention those diodes can only do 20mW CW. The 405nm diodes from the PHR-803T sleds can do 100mW easily. Also, I really dont think there is any difference in building a 405nm laser vs a 650nm laser. Both diodes are finicky, the only difference is that you will need more voltage to power the 405nm diode.
 

Omega

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yeah, i was looking into the 803T sleds, hoping for a GB or somethin. so is the aixiz module recommended over that other one?
 

daguin

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Omega said:
yeah, i was looking into the 803T sleds, hoping for a GB or somethin. so is the aixiz module recommended over that other one?

What "other one"? What are you planning to do with it? What host are you going to use? Which driver? Is higher output more important or is money your primary concern?

Peace,
dave
 

Omega

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the "other one" was the one from laser66.com/kipkay
as far as plans to do with it, kinda more of a collectible deal, maybe start bonfires with it to show off :p
host, still unsure.
driver, im leaning towards the micro-drive.
and id like to keep this rather cheap, but hoping to push the full 100mW out of the 803T diode so its a burner.
 

daguin

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Omega said:
the "other one" was the one from laser66.com/kipkay
as far as plans to do with it, kinda more of a collectible deal, maybe start bonfires with it to show off :p
host, still unsure.
driver, im leaning towards the micro-drive.
and id like to keep this rather cheap, but hoping to push the full 100mW out of the 803T diode so its a burner.


Then I recommend you use the Aixiz module

Peace,
dave
 
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Omega said:
the "other one" was the one from laser66.com/kipkay
as far as plans to do with it, kinda more of a collectible deal, maybe start bonfires with it to show off :p
host, still unsure.
driver, im leaning towards the micro-drive.
and id like to keep this rather cheap, but hoping to push the full 100mW out of the 803T diode so its a burner.
Just so you're not disappointed, you won't be lighting bonfires with a 100mW Blu-Ray. I guess you could light a match that starts a bonfire though. ::)
 
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Building your first DIY laser:

Red Laser Parts:

Diode: http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=180
Trust me, Greg (owner of StoneTek) is a great guy who's diode's are the best on the market ;)

Or, you could PM TheMonk, and buy a 20x open can diode for around $30...
You could also buy them here, instead of PM'ing him:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1216530258

Or, you could buy one from HighTechDealz:
http://www.hightechdealz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=48
http://www.hightechdealz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=49

Housing: http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=191

Driver: http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1209418066
The lavadrive is a boost driver, which means all you need to worry about is setting a current. It will take input voltages from 2.5-5.5 Volts. If you are going to use 6 volts, solder the included silicone diode to the driver (read thread for more details). For the Rckstr driver, you will need to input above 5 volts, because it is a linear driver. Don't get me wrong, his drivers are great!
If you don't have a Digital Multi Meter, you might wanna ask drlava to preset a current on the flexdrive for you. For a StoneTek diode, the current needs to be from 300mA-350mA. For a 20x Open can, 420mA is the sweet spot.

Host:
You could use this one: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4171

A project box...

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1442

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3405

The Dorcy Jr.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4171
This host is the best for a burning red laser, because jayrob makes great heatsinks for it, which can be found here:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1202452073

Or some other host that i don't know about. Those are all good beginner hosts!


For a PHR-803T, almost the same thing, except the flexdrive needs to be set at 100-150mA if you want it to last. I'm sure you can find an ideal host... You could buy the diode from TheMonk, or here:
http://www.hightechdealz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=50
Or here:
http://www.hightechdealz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=51



Pro Experience Laser Tip: NEVER USE A MAGLITE!!! THERE IS NO ROOM FOR A DRIVER AND YOU WILL WASTE YOUR TIME!!!


I hope I helped!
 

Omega

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daguin: alright, thanks, that seems to have a good reputation.

styropyro: lol well i assumed it would light newspaper, no? i didnt mean ignite a log directly, but that would be neat haha.

spyderz20x6: wow! thats some serious link-hunting, thanks! and id love to make a red first for practice and all, but i have a limited amount of cash i can put towards this (i need a job...) so i figured id put it towards a unique (relatively speaking) laser.
so far i have this set forth:

diode: buying a PHR-803T sled and harvesting the diode myself (plan to practice on the IR one first). and 100mA is safe for this if i remember correctly.

housing: aixiz module for sure now.

driver: still up in the air, i was leaning towards the rckstr, as the lavadrive is indeed very nice, but a bit out of my budget. as for as the rckstr, im unsure how to put in >5 volts with AAs... (or is this a simple fix and im just slow?)

host: im still unsure of a host, but thanks for that tip, i was thinking of a maglite haha. im leaning towards one of those cheaper flashlights (9.90 was the cheapest i belive), my friend has a lathe and some aluminum, so perhaps i could make my own heatsink. or is that even needed for a PHR-803T?

thanks again everyone for all the help :D
 
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Omega said:
daguin: alright, thanks, that seems to have a good reputation.

styropyro: lol well i assumed it would light newspaper, no? i didnt mean ignite a log directly, but that would be neat haha.

spyderz20x6: wow! thats some serious link-hunting, thanks! and id love to make a red first for practice and all, but i have a limited amount of cash i can put towards this (i need a job...) so i figured id put it towards a unique (relatively speaking) laser.
so far i have this set forth:

diode: buying a PHR-803T sled and harvesting the diode myself (plan to practice on the IR one first). and 100mA is safe for this if i remember correctly.

housing: aixiz module for sure now.

driver: still up in the air, i was leaning towards the rckstr, as the lavadrive is indeed very nice, but a bit out of my budget. as for as the rckstr, im unsure how to put in >5 volts with AAs... (or is this a simple fix and im just slow?)

host: im still unsure of a host, but thanks for that tip, i was thinking of a maglite haha. im leaning towards one of those cheaper flashlights (9.90 was the cheapest i belive), my friend has a lathe and some aluminum, so perhaps i could make my own heatsink. or is that even needed for a PHR-803T?

thanks again everyone for all the help :D
If you are going to use a Rckstr driver with a PHR-803T, you need to input at least 7 volts...
Use these batteries:
These are AA: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3435
These are AAA: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.974

100-150mA is fine for these diodes, 120mA is recomended for a long life, but the burning power increases signficantly with 150mA. My blu-ray is set to 150mA, and it is still fine for a month now. If you want good burning power, go with 150mA, it should be safe at that current. Yes, a heatsink is required if you want to give the laser diode a long life, however, if you want to put it in a pen style host, make a duty cycle so the diode doesn't get to hot...
 
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honestly there is no reason to do a red first IMO.

A little while ago the blu-rays used to be a lot harder to come by, and the power levels were so low that they were very sensitive (the lucky number, 38mA lol). Now, either way you're going to spend 20 or 30 bucks for the diode, whether it be a red diode or a blu-ray diode. There is no difference when setting up the two diodes, except for the total resistance used in the driver. Your blu-ray will probably use 100-130mA whereas your red diode would use upwards of 400mA. But like I said, there's no reason to 'practice' on a red diode now because either way you're wasting the same amount of money if you mess up, so you might as well just start with what you want :cool:
 

Omega

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spyderz20x6: oh, alright, though that whole "risk of exploding" thing is concerning... and if thats the case then ill set it to 150mA with a nice heatsink, most likely making my own. and i intend to put it in one of those flashlights, which is good, cause i have no clue what a duty cycle is.

gooeygus: im glad to hear that, the whole money thing was the issue, and blue is what i want, so thats what im going for.
 
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Omega said:
spyderz20x6: oh, alright, though that whole "risk of exploding" thing is concerning... and if thats the case then ill set it to 150mA with a nice heatsink, most likely making my own. and i intend to put it in one of those flashlights, which is good, cause i have no clue what a duty cycle is.

gooeygus: im glad to hear that, the whole money thing was the issue, and blue is what i want, so thats what im going for.
:p

Duty Cycle is how long you keep the laser on for, and then let it cool. With a good heatsink, you might not even need a duty cycle.

By the way, Blu-Ray is violet, not blue...
 




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