HELP! my first 1w blue handheld laser build

Hello. So I am wanting to build a 1w blue handheld laser.

I know I should be doing a lot more research on this forum, and on lasers, but I need to get this project done asap.


I will be getting all the parts off ebay.
I think I am looking at all the right parts... and the build should go well if I use these... but I was just hoping some professionals could help this non-professional decide whether these are the right components and parts or not.

If I use all of these parts, will my build be successful?
Am I missing anything?
Do you suggest anything better or different?

I just want to make sure that all this spent money doesnt go wasted.
It would also be awesome if someone could tell me what my results would likely be if I finished this build (i.e. burning power, durability etc...)

Here are the links to the parts:

-Project Box

-Battery

-Battery Charger

-Laser diode (with lens)

-12mm Laser Module

-Laser driver

-Heat sink (I will be attaching this to a larger winged heat sink I already have)

Thanks alot! Any help is grately appreciated.


Please keep in mind that I am no where near a professional with this. I do have experience with electronics, but not with lasers... not to mention I'm only 17, so I might not understand some terms and such...

(I know I need glasses aswell. dont mention that)

Uhh.... I think that module you have listed there has a diode in it, get something like this instead Aixiz Module 12x30mm housing for 5.6mm laser diodes | eBay

You said not to mention safety glasses, but I will anyways, get a good pair. Those 20$ goggles from China aren't reliable. Get Eagle Pair or OEM's ARG goggles, those are reliable.

Don't forget a charger with that battery too

Edit: Also, I don't think that lens comes with a holder... Just get an aixiz 445nm lens.

Also, your links are bad, remove the xn--%20http-846c// at the beginning.

If this is your first build, you might want to start with a less expensive diode - You'll be bummed if you fry that one. Laser diodes are very sensitive to heat and electrostatic discharge, so be careful when you're soldering that bad boy. Just my 2 cents.

ARGLaser said:

Uhh.... I think that module you have listed there has a diode in it, get something like this instead Aixiz Module 12x30mm housing for 5.6mm laser diodes | eBay

You said not to mention safety glasses, but I will anyways, get a good pair. Those 20$ goggles from China aren't reliable. Get Eagle Pair or OEM's ARG goggles, those are reliable.

Don't forget a charger with that battery too

Edit: Also, I don't think that lens comes with a holder... Just get an aixiz 445nm lens.

Also, your links are bad, remove the xn--%20http-846c// at the beginning.

Click to expand...

can't I take the diode out and replace it with the 1w one? It seems like the cheapest way to get a housing module.

I got the battery charger.

and I think the diode comes with a glass lens.

thanks! I had not noticed the links

Ghostchrome said:

If this is your first build, you might want to start with a less expensive diode - You'll be bummed if you fry that one. Laser diodes are very sensitive to heat and electrostatic discharge, so be careful when you're soldering that bad boy. Just my 2 cents.

Click to expand...

I'll probably ground it when I work with it... I dont know much about lasers, but I do know a bit about electronics. Is it really that high of a chance that the diode will be burned out? Even if I do everything properly?

It doesn't seem too hard to just put the diode in the module, put the module in a heatsink, solder the diode to the driver, and then connect a battery.

but again, I could be very wrong.

It's definitely not that easy as you can see from my signature I fried quite a few diodes before I actually got one working. It's pretty much just trial and error at the start.

Just don't forget to discharge your capacitors and to only keep your iron on the diode for less than a few seconds to keep them alive.
Also make sure you're giving your diode the right amount of current to not kill it

Cam453 said:

It's definitely not that easy as you can see from my signature I fried quite a few diodes before I actually got one working. It's pretty much just trial and error at the start.

Just don't forget to discharge your capacitors and to only keep your iron on the diode for less than a few seconds to keep them alive.
Also make sure you're giving your diode the right amount of current to not kill it

Click to expand...

hmm this worries me .....
oh well... i think im gonna risk it. It should work in theory if I put it together properly right?

thats a big IF!

Follow these key points and you will increase your chance of success!

• Wear a ESD earth strap.
  
• don't forget to discharge your capacitors on the driver before soldering to diode
  
• only keep your iron on the diode for less than a few seconds to keep them alive.
  
• make sure you're giving your diode the right amount of current to not kill it.
  
• Don't operate driver with no load.
  
• Make sure your polarity is correct when hooking driver to diode.

maximdooijes said:

i would suggest you use a flashlight w/ heatsink instead of a project box. but that's just my opinion. i also suggest to build a 1.5 or 2.0 watt laser. they are as expensive as a 1w laser.

i think you will succeed in finishing this project but you have to do what fiddy says.

pm me if you got more questions. for example a 1.5 watt build.:eg:

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where would I be able to find a 2 watt laser diode for cheap? I tried ebay