How difficult is this repair? (v. need your guidance)

First post.
I'm working on a laser installation for art class. Overnight, my laser started projecting this:http://i.imgur.com/i6IFs.jpg

How do I go about repairing it?
Do I need to purchase any parts?
Anyone feel confidant enough to repair it? I do paypal!

This is the model:http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00QjGTYuUdRRcV/100mw-Green-Laser-Pointer-Pen-for-Party-Starriness-LP9021-.jpg

op:

looks like the focusing lens came loose.

Take off the cap and adjust it. If you can't fix it buy a new one. It will be cheaper than having someone repair it.

Thanks for the quick response. I'll give it a shot.
Glad I found this site, I'm hooked.

we would like to know a little more about you-- please put your location in your profile page and make a little 'howdy all' thread in the Welcome sub-forum. +

its the best way to start out on this forum IMO...

btw welcome

update: If I'm not mistaken, it looks like I need to re-apply some (glue type) to the lens after making the adjustment?

Photo Album - Imgur

also, in the last photo I tried to make it clear as possible that there's a dried white material that's melted towards the center diameter.

how do I go about straightening that out?

thanks in advance

IIRC, that white stuff is meant to be there. that white lens on the top of everything is the collimating lens i think, its probably dirty or not lined up properly.

daawood123 said:

IIRC, that white stuff is meant to be there. that white lens on the top of everything is the collimating lens i think, its probably dirty or not lined up properly. i would say, pull it off with needle nose pliers, clean both sides with a cloth (dont know what the special cloth is called, dont use any old cloth, it will make the problem worse) and then superglue/epoxy it back on and make sure it is aligned with the beam.

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WRONG!
Do not do this or you will ruin your laser.

The white paste inside the brass ring beneath the little white lens is silicone thermal adhesive that holds the crystal set in place.
If you remove that or the white lens it will be a real pain in the ass to get the laser working again.
The little white lens is used to expand the beam before reaching the final collimating lens. If you remove it it is not an easy task to align it correctly.

From your original picture it looks like you have a dirty lens or a mode shift issue.
Inspect the optics to see if there is anything on them.
Try using compressed air (from a can or one of those squeezy things - do NOT blow on it). If the problem persists...

Does the projected pattern change while the laser is in use?
Are the batteries fresh?

If the pattern changes, it is a mode shift issue which cannot be fixed.

If the pattern does not change it is most likely just dust on the lens.

If you find that the lens(es) is/are dirty and compressed air doesn't clean it, you can use a clean cotton swab and a small amount of rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the surfaces of the optics.

ok never mind then

I thought superglue had fumes that ruin optics? Isn't epoxy the safe way to go?

Apocalypse said:

I thought superglue had fumes that ruin optics? Isn't epoxy the safe way to go?

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seconded on the superglue fumes.

RA_pierce, thanks for saving a laser's life.

edit: so after shining to perfection, it seems as though it's RIP. After the on/off button in pressed, something inside the laser rattles in small vibration. It was quiet and solid before:/

Caught up with the stickies over at Companies sub forum to avoid further poor quality purchases.

daawood123 said:

ok never mind then

Click to expand...

No biggie. If you've ever taken apart a greenie and rebuilt it, you'll know how sensitive the alignment can be. In my experience the glue that holds everything in place is actually pretty rigid so these lasers, even the cheapies, won't come undone unless they are subjected to some real force.
A lot of times people post about green laser problems and it is usually a dirty lens or a manufacturing defect like a mode-shifting crystal set.
If the problem turns out not to be an alignment issue, then removing the lens would have been in vain and it may just be easier to spend another $20 on a new laser than spend a few hours hunched over trying to align the lens perfectly before the epoxy dries.
Trust me, it can be a pain.

blyte said:

seconded on the superglue fumes.

RA_pierce, thanks for saving a laser's life. To avoid this situation in the future, are there any merchants you recommend?

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You can pay more for higher quality but the high end shops are not immune from the occasional defect either.
All instruments need to be maintained properly to get the best performance. Lasers are no different. Clean optics = clean beam.

If your problem is indeed a dirty lens, I would simply suggest finding a cap to put over the aperture when the laser is not in use.
I and many others on the forum like to use the silicone clicky caps that go on the buttons for flashlights. You can buy them in 10 packs on dealextreme.com for a dollar and some change.

If your problem turns out to be a mode shifting issue, that is just something that you get every now and then. The mass produced lasers have this problem since quality control is usually not super tight.

yh sorry about the wrong info.