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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Building my First Burning Laser

Joined
Oct 1, 2009
Messages
3
Points
0
Hello All,

I recently purchased a 125mw green laser online; from dragonlasers.com and i have to admit its pretty cool.

two things i don't really like about it though.
a) Batteries
b) Burning Power

It can do all the normal things like light matches, cut through electrical tape but i would like to move on from that and go to the next level:evil:

I have spent the last 3 days researching online and would like to see what you professionals have to say ;) My end goal is to have a laser that i can (preferably) plug into the wall, and is able to light (white) paper on fire. The plug-in feature is not important, more of a personal request (well actually this entire post is a personal request xD). I already have a laser that i can see the beam for so the hype for that is not too big; all i want is a good burning laser with lots of power :evil: I was looking at the blue/violet laser that styropyro made; according to the youtube link it was only 36$ The budget i have set aside is 100$, if that's not good enough i can get about 50-100 in another week.

Thanks for any help
~Cody Woolaver
 





Joined
Feb 23, 2008
Messages
2,832
Points
48
your going to need at least a couple watts to light white paper. be prepared to spend some $$$..

you can make any laser plug into a wall.. find the voltage requirements for the driver then find a wall-wart thats regulated to the right voltage and voila!
 
Joined
Oct 1, 2009
Messages
3
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0
Hmmm,

Thanks for the reply :)

What about if it was pulsed? Does that make a difference? Instead of having a continuous beam of "energy" what if it was a single short burst?

I was watching this YouTube - High Energy Ruby Laser in Action video, and i would LOVE to have that sitting around my room xD But i have this feeling that it would cost a few grand ;)

Ive read quite a few of the online tutorials, and it seems there is quite a bit of potential (potential energy, lol get it? Sorry :p) for some wicked lasers; quite a few are already very very impressive. My 125mw is a lot of fun but i think i can do better ;)

So it will take 1-2 watts to burn white paper, how about wood then? lol, i can already make wood smoke, now about lighting it on fire? (In case you couldn't tell by my name im quite the pyromaniac :))

Thanks a ton guys :3
~Cody Woolaver
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
266
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0
Wow you do seem very enthusiastic!
Well, so far, I think the best burning potential, if you're not going for portability, and not caring about beam visibility, is a CO2 laser. Those go in range of tens of watts!
You can attach a small red laser to help in aiming, but yea, you'll get the burning power you need!:evil:

However, I can't help you on that, I'm only building my first diode laser atm.
 
Joined
Oct 1, 2009
Messages
3
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0
Yes, i absolutely love lasers and the idea of using light to burn things ;)

My personal feeling behind a gas based laser is that they would be more delicate (and dangerous). I have a basic understanding of how things would work, but again, im still unsure of what ill need EXACTLY (down to how many resistors). I noticed in another youtube video (i spent 1 of those 3 days just watching youtube vids xD) they had a pump circulating water to keep things cool. I actually have a 3 horsepower water pump in my basement (which also happens to be my room).

So what do you guys think? For my very first home-built laser; should it be a diode or gas? And what would the cost differance be (good question there).

Thanks guys :)
~Cody
 




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