Share your inexpensive builds thread

[Lazerbeak]

I'll post some new builds this afternoon

Pete

Oooo, can't wait Pman

I think most people know that Pman Loooves his Green lasers, doesn't sell them and rarely if ever parts with them. So I am deeply honored to have 3 in my collection (and that's were they're stayin') He is building constantly and I don't think he gets enough credit for being so Amazing. The expensive showcase pieces seem to get a lot of attention (and I do love them) but there is a lot to be said for pure craftsmanship and a job well done :beer: I think this thread really exemplifies that.

Here is a Gordon host running off two AAA's. All three have Fasttech green laser diodes in them, this one is rated at 33mw...

It has a momentary button on the side and is surprisingly heavy in the hand.

Then we have some absolutely amazing lasers. I'm really blown away by these two for different reasons...

The MXDL host on the left is my EDC laser now, it is so small and elegant. It's runs off of 1 10440 and puts out 56mw. I really wasn't prepared for how visible these beams are and I understand the fascination with the wavelength now. Very visible in the dark and never fails to impress

The Black & Decker host however is something else. If you'll notice the yellow sticker. This is Pman's classification method for lasers over 100mw's. Yep, this is a freak diode putting out a whopping 103mw's! It runs off a single 14500 and It's a totally unique host, feels great in the hand and has quite a bit of flair with Pman's accents.

These were all relatively inexpensive builds, but seriously give some of the more expensive lasers a run for their money.

This doesn't have to be a hobby that breaks the bank. I think that's part of the reason Pman started this thread. There are challenges galore, trust me and there is nothing like the satisfaction of having your build start Lasing. It's also nice that you can build a lot if that's what you enjoy

So once again Pman, Thank you, I'm so honored :beer: and will be posting more inexpensive builds. I have a few in the pipeline

Happy Lasing All!


~ LB

Edit...

________________________

Wow! 278mw Sweet build LivingLoud. The C6 is definitely a "Classic" LPF build The Rubicon graphs are great too. Thanks for Sharing :beer:

 

[Pman]

Wow, great job guys and REPs when I can. Humbled by the accolades. All I can offer is some more build pics

This is another Fasttech flashlight and here is the lovely box. It comes with a charger and a 10440. Think it was about $17 bucks.

Once again used the single AAA pens innards. So, that means that these hosts are not using the 10440 but a single AAA. Used the 10440s for a couple other builds

They are quite hefty and VERY Gold looking. Nice bright finish like this is not something you see a lot of. Definitely not easy to hide in the hand. Love this little build!

Output marked with transparent label tape. One is 55 and the other is 70mw. Can't bring myself to put labels on them.

 

[Lazerbeak]

Gorgeous! :drool: and at a Great price. Thanks for sharing Pman :beer:

~ LB

 

[Bafacu]

This is all rather complicated for me, as I have just joined.

My son is a scaffolder/rigger and is looking for something to point to where scaffolding needs to be attached (particularly for hanging scaffolding). Basically he would need something that is readily visible in daylight over about 50-70 meters.

Can you please give me some advice for the uninitiated? Any help appreciated.

 

[Lazerbeak]

Is your son looking to just see a dot or the beam in broad daylight? Big difference. Also, Please add your location and post a new thread so people might be able to help you better, this is a reserved thread for members to show lasers they have built.

In a pinch Radio Shack's Green laser pointer should give a visible dot for about $50 or Ebay laserpointers if he has an account.

To start a thread in the Help section, click the link below.
Tutorials, Help & Repairs - Laser Pointers

and to the left of the advertisements near the top of the page click "new thread"

People will be more likely to help you and won't be offended you are posting in the wrong thread :beer:

~ LB

 

[Bafacu]

My apologies. I will repost in the right place.

 

[IsaacT]

Well...this is somewhat completely off topic, but I am about to be selling lots of stuff to make money for an expensive, 3W 650 build. I am making drawings and getting dimensions for MrCrouse right now...this build is going to run ~700 dollars so a number of my fine lasers will be going to new homes. Keep an eye out

To re-rail this thread, now that I derailed it, here is another "inexpensive build". this was my only Fasttech build, unfortunately I didn't get on that train quick enough. The host is a SH032 Aurora SS and special heatsink I requested from Mrcrouse. The total cost was ~40 dollars. A little more than a lot of the ones we have seen but cheaper than pretty much all my other lasers by a good bit.

This fasttech module was purchased from another member(mmhemling IIRC) and outputs 115mW fairly stable. Sometimes pops up into the 120's. In fact, I burned my finger with it earlier

Thanks,
Isaac

 

[Pman]

Nice WannaBurn
Got a 5V 532nm module the other day from Fasttech that hits 141:drool:
NOT selling it.
Haven't made up my mind what I'm going to put it in yet though. Have a really nice option on hand that I may use.... or not.
The last batch of 3V and 5V modules had 4 of the 8 over 100mw after pot adjustment.
Can't beat around $5 for these things. From what I've seen, the 5V ones tend to put out just a bit more than the 3V ones at the same 3.2V and have way more options for battery types although they are slightly longer than the 3V ones.
Lowest one I got out of all 8 was still over 50mw of low IR greenie goodness
The single AAA pens are great for really small builds but it is very rare to get one that will hit 100mw and they are very sensitive to adjustment. Cost over $8 for one of these but the module is teeny so it can fit in really small stuff. Plus, you can make it smaller by unscrewing the chrome front piece or leave it on and use the star cap that comes with it as a bonus. Found that most of the time it's better to accept whatever output they give and not adjust as it is quite difficult to get it back to where you started even setting it to the same mAH draw for some reason.

What kind of battery is that taking Isaac? Built a really small one kind of like that with the single AAA module without the big heat-sink yours has in the front. Will post it soon.
I'll have to look up your host for the dimensions. No way a regular module would fit in the one I did. Mine is 3.75" long (sorry worldly people but I grew up with the American way of measuring). I usually have to convert from the places I order from. I can remember many years back we were supposed to convert to the metric system but haven't a clue why it never happened.

Your public service announcement was OK by the way.
Someday when I grow up I'll have a >100mw 589nm at a price more inline with the 520 and 515nm but don't expect that until at least next year although that may be a pipe dream.

Pete

Hey, notice the golden boys above are an all copper flashlight the Gold on them is really nice. Don't even need to turn one on as a flashlight they are so bright to begin with. Kind of a shock compared to all my other stuff.

 

[IsaacT]

Mine uses a single 18350. Also, I have made my PL520 in another of the same host and so I have green twins now although thinking about selling my 520 build for funds.

 

[Lazerbeak]

Sweet build Issac, I thought that was a 520 in the comparison shot. Looking forward to seeing what you and Mr. Crouse come up with

Nice post count Pman 777 141mw! Awesome. That'll be a cool build.
No 589nm but in my crystal ball I do see a 520 in your future...

Great job guys :beer: Time for me to catch up...

~ LB

 

[LtKernelPanic]

This isn't an super cheap build but it's fairly inexpensive for what you get and still one of my all time favorite lasers. The parts came in at ~$40USD not including shipping, consumables (solder, flux, wire, etc), and the battery charger I already had for a previous build. The host I used is no longer available sadly and the 803t has been replaced by the 805t which costs slightly more but can give a bit more output.


http://laserpointerforums.com/f38/phr-803t-hotlights-host-lm317-driver-59927.html

 

[Lazerbeak]

Thanks for Sharing LtKernelPanic. That's a great build :gj: Nice host with an Awesome DIY driver. I especially liked the way you used the switch housing as a framework for the driver components. Super creative

______________________________

I wanted to share a little (literally) build that's been waiting to be finished. This is the 2nd version and I still don't think I got it quite right Closer I hope. It's rather dim and I'm hoping it's drained batteries (fingers crossed) but I'll share these for now.

MiniMe 2.0...

The diode is harvested from a $5 ebay airsoft gun laser sight and the host is a Streamlight Keymate (about the size of a AA).

I'm rather embarrassed after LKP's beautiful homebrew driver, but I epoxied a spring to the existing driver board and wrapped some adhesive backed copper to the diode housing (plastic). I just needed to solder the positive to it to make contact with the host body. The negative was soldered to the spring. The copper sheet was from Pman. A really neat idea. I have been having such a hard time soldering. Need a decent tip and some of FlaminPyro's flux. Soon. I put some heat shrink tubing around the driver. I may have heated up the driver too much. I'll have to wait til I can get some new batteries after payday to find out.

Cool little host though and it's shiny so it'll match Mr. Crouse's gorgeous Streamlight Twintask customization Dr. Evil

I epoxied the top edge of the copper to hold it in the head of the host and placed a black O-ring over everything.

The epoxy hasn't cured completely yet. The diode is a little crooked and as you can see it's pretty dim. I'll check it again with fresh batteries when I can. I'm happy my ideas to pull current from the host with the copper sheet and the spring worked but I think I'm losing current somewhere. Well if anything I have a cat safe laser :thinking:

Hope you enjoyed, Happy Lasing

~ LB

 

[Pman]

Great build skills there LtK! Really nice pics too
REPPED

We'll get to the bottom of it LZB. I'll PM you.

Got to go to work.

Pete

Should probably correct something. I give LOTS of stuff away and used to ask everyone I gave to to not say anything but I've given up at this point as too many people know at this point. I DON'T build to sell though.
Post these builds so we can all get ideas and share and maybe "you" will try an inexpensive build out and show everyone.
This one says Police 5W on the other side.... yeah right LOL

Couple more units
$10 Coleman flashlight from Walmart that normally takes (2) AA but now runs off a single 10440. Uses a 3V Fasttech module. Really nice dark metallic green host that you can't really see in the pics. That's a hole cut into a glow cap in the front and really lights up when the unit is on. 102mw

Small MDXL host that I've finally worked out how to make decently. Module from the single AAA Fasttech pens. The larger MXDL hosts are easier to work with.

Might as well post a couple more...
Stainless and heavy

Stainless and heavy

 

[Pman]

New day and deciderd I may as well post the other builds. Not seeing anyone else jump in....
Noticed that the 5V modules are more likely to hit >100mw than the 3V ones with pot adjustment.

"Cajunlasers host B50 with trick front cap" Fasttech 5V module at 112mw running 16340

The "Lazerbeak special" single AAA Fasttech pen module with a custom spacer and AAA alkaline 55mw optional star cap

Rosche F12 with a freak $5 Fasttech 5V module at 141mw running off an 18350

 

[Zom-B]

Full story

Build cost: about $74 plus stuff I had lying around (wire, resistors, Pentium II, etc)

 

[dubious speculation]

is that what the module was outputting when it came to u or did you pot adjust it?