Im done buying... I want to make one!

Hey everyone on LPF! I have gotten quite a little collection fast! I have 2 lasers from o-like with one more on the way!

... But it's not enough! Lol You know what I mean.

I want make one. I have only just started this hobby, so I'm not shure what to do! Or where to start. I have used the search and tryed to get the info I need but it's just overwhelming! I saw the kits for sale but I would need other parts cause there not complete, like diode and driver!

Is it as easy as connecting the driver to the diode and then to a battery? But then I see all the other steps like lenses and "hot option" what is that?

So I'm asking for help in finding a kit! I hope to build the strongest 405 or 445 in a sleek host! I'm broke now so im thinking about next month!

Thanks LPF

"Hot' option is just a term I use for my kits...

It means that the driver is included, installed, and current set with lead wires soldered on and ready for your diode. (this is most of the work for any build)

If you get a 'Hot' option kit from me, all you will need is your diode pressed into an AixiZ module, and a battery.

People are pushing the 445's to 1.8 Amps, but 1 Amp is plenty bright...

I would recommend 1 Amp with a 445 diode. Which would be 1 Watt with a 405-G-1 glass lens. But about 875mA's with an AixiZ 445 lens.

Proper eye protection is needed:
http://store.oemlasersystems.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_12&products_id=7

The AixiZ 445 lens gives a better looking dot with this multimode diode at about 15 to 20% less power than the 405-G-1. See lens comparisons here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/445nm-a130-lens-comparisons-51456.html

Even so, 875mW's is very bright and dangerous too. Proper eye protection is a must. It will instantly damage the eye with a direct shot or even a reflection off a shiny object.

Also, spend the extra money on a quality AW brand 18650 battery:
AW 18650 Protected 2600 mAh Rechargeable Lithium Battery

Any of my 18650 kits will do fine with a 1 Amp setting. It's just a matter of which one 'tickles your fancy'. But I do not include diodes. You can get the 445 diode here: (Dave has an option to get it pre-installed into an AixiZ module with lead wires soldered on for you)
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/445nm-diodes-stock-xj-a140-52076.html

There are others selling 445 diodes as well. (see the BST section)

Here are my 18650 kits, plus my Maglite monster build kit: (several options to look through, heatsink material, lens options, EzFocus adapter, etc…)

The easiest assembly kits, are my Maglite kit, SolarForce L2P, and my Black 18650 kit…

For really high current capability, my Maglite kit uses the most versatile driver and huge battery capacity:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-large-maglite-kits-side-button-forward-clicky-57278.html

Black 18650 kit: (easiest assembly)
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-18650-build-kit-easy-assembly-445nm-blu-ray-red-43857.html

Stainless Steel 18650 kit:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-stainless-steel-18650-kit-polished-perfect-445-a-52159.html

SolarForce L2P kit:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-solarforce-l2p-kit-18650-host-massive-heatsink-53746.html

X2000 Focusing Head 18650 kit:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-x2000-focusing-head-18650-kit-55246.html

P19 Focusing Head 18650 kit:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-p19-focusing-head-18650-kit-very-nice-host-57115.html

Send me a private message for ordering kits!

Oh ok. Thanks for the info! I have o-like laser goggles in red, blue, and green... I didint evin get a green laser from o-like yet... But I just orderd one two days ago!

Ive got a 1w 445 from o-like but it's closer to 700mw! I read about home-made 445 lasers getting into 1.5w

I like your little black host with the focus nib. So all I would need to do is put in the diode, do I just solder the pins to the red and black leads? Dont I need to install lenses?

It's as simple as this:

The AixiZ module holds the diode pressed into the back. It also holds the lens. Which threads in from the front.

That's basically all you need with a 'Hot' option kit. Many of the people selling the diodes, have an option of getting it pre-installed into an AixiZ module. In that case, all you need to do is solder the leads from the driver, to the diode pins.

Diodes are sensitive to ESD, and can also get damaged if you over heat them while soldering. So you just have to be careful about those things.

I just repaired a loose diode wire in my used yobresal build.

IF you plan to do a lot of hobby electronics work, get a GOOD soldering iron. I can't even emphasize how much difference it makes. I was able to sodler the diode back up in about 2 minutes- each wire took 2-3 seconds to connect, tops. I use a Hakko iron I bought at an electronics store. Get at least 1-2 spare tips, good paste flux, a spool fo good thin wire, and a tip cleaner thingie.

If I used my old Home Depot Weller iron, I'd probably have killed the doide. Like asking a caveman to make a ship in a bottle.

-Dave

yeah you need the essentials....
get some "helping hands"
a soldering iron...i wouldn't go above 30W soldering iron. I've always been a fan of the simple and cheap $7 ones. when the tip wears out just buy a new iron...

you'll want a digital multimeter, also a test load.
like said above, get some solder flux (VERY important)
as for wire, contact FlaminPyro for some of his silicone wire. It's the best stuff you'll find, and i don't use anything other than his wire. It's super flexible, won't melt and won't break from excessive bending

There are tons of parts and kits for sell on this forum. You just have to look through the laser pro shop and the buy/sell/trade section.

Most of the sellers here are trustworthy, just do a quick search on their name and see if anything negative comes up before buying from them.
Normally if someone is sketchy they get run off pretty quickly.

My Hakko is 25W. I like the 25-30 better than the lower wattage as the higher heat melts the solder almost instantly- you don't need to hold the tip there for a longer time, which would transmit more heat up the wire and into your diode.

I'm a fan o fnice tools, so I like the nicer irons a lot That's my excuse anyways.. good tools are never a waste of money. Yep.. tell that to the wife..

If you want to improve your soldering quickly, pick up an "elekit" project off ebay. There are many less sensitive components to practice on in these kits. I built my wife a little toy piano by elekit- it really plays, and needed a ton of soldering. My soldering was pretty sad until I finished the kit

-Dave

saki302 said:

If I used my old Home Depot Weller iron, I'd probably have killed the doide. Like asking a caveman to make a ship in a bottle.

-Dave

Click to expand...

I just wanted to clear this up. I love my "Home Depot Weller iron". It works great and as long as you take care of your iron tip, it should last forever.

Dave, maybe your iron was old and on it's last leg or something, but I wanted to put it out there that Weller is actually a quality iron.

Hey jayrob the law is you can't sell complete lasers! Why can't you sell everything but the tailcap? And then sell tail caps as an unrelated item?

I want one of your laser hosts and lenses. I tryed to take apart a cheep 10$ laser pointer and fryed it! I don't want to burn out a 70$ diode! Ahhhh I want a 1.3 or higher laser in a sleek host. In 445 or 405! But only have raido shack tools... Aja soldering iron, solder, and my hands! ;b

Okay, I'll admit mine was an older model which was used mostly in the garage for stereo projects.
The Hakko really is a surgical tool by comparison, and it wasn't that expensive at Fry's Electronics.

I still keep my Weller for heavy duty use in the garage, I noticed the Hakko tip heats up right away while the Weller took awhile- and the heat distribution on my Weller was never very good- maybe they're better now?

-Dave

Temperature controlled Soldering Irons are the best choice!! "Not wattage"

saki302 said:

Okay, I'll admit mine was an older model which was used mostly in the garage for stereo projects.
The Hakko really is a surgical tool by comparison, and it wasn't that expensive at Fry's Electronics.

I still keep my Weller for heavy duty use in the garage, I noticed the Hakko tip heats up right away while the Weller took awhile- and the heat distribution on my Weller was never very good- maybe they're better now?

-Dave

Click to expand...

I let mine heat up for about 5 min but other than that it works great for me. But yah, Hakko is VERY good.

Stephen j gilman said:

Hey jayrob the law is you can't sell complete lasers! Why can't you sell everything but the tailcap? And then sell tail caps as an unrelated item?

I want one of your laser hosts and lenses. I tryed to take apart a cheep 10$ laser pointer and fryed it! I don't want to burn out a 70$ diode! Ahhhh I want a 1.3 or higher laser in a sleek host. In 445 or 405! But only have raido shack tools... Aja soldering iron, solder, and my hands! ;b

Click to expand...

I'd just rather not push it...

But there are good members here on LPF that are selling their extra's from time to time. (quite ofter)

Just take a look at the BST section...