Suggestions for repairing X105

So... My X105's lens cracked. I don't know why... so I emailed NOVA and they told me it is most likely from direct impact or tampering... I haven't 'tampered' with it so I'm assuming someone dropped it but I'm not sure. Anyway, they told me I could send it back and for $40 I can get lens replacement surgery. Unfortunately I can't send it back until after the holidays and I don't really know if $40 plus shipping is worth it. I decided I would find a suitable lens and do it myself. I removed the broken lens (I know I voided the warranty) and tried out a bunch of different lenses (convex, biconvex, planoconvex, concave, planoconcave, biconcave, collimator lenses for cheap reds... etc.) and I found one that might work. However, It is too wide to fit inside the laser. I want to cut it to fit, but I don't know crap about glass cutting and I don't want to break/ ruin it. Suggestions on what I should do? I also want to take this opportunity to make my laser focus adjustable... Any help or any kind of input would be great!

For 40 bucks.....and that includes shipping back to you.....???

IMHO....get your laser serviced....and Love life!

40 bucks to have my X-105 back ...working as it did before the lens cracked.....No Brainer....

Consider it a Christmas Present to yourself!!!!!!!!

Larry

Hopefully they will still take it back since you voided your warrenty, i guess since its not warrenty related tho they prob would.

..lazer.. ;D ;D ;D

I don't think the $40 includes shipping... anyway, I wanted to make it focus adjustable while I'm at it. And I would have to wait to send it... wait for them to repair it... and wait to get it back... Right now at least I can still play with it until I get the lens to fit...

Use it as a deathly bright green flashlight!
But seriously, $40 for proper installation of the correct lens is more then worth it. If you want it focusable then make a cap that will go on the end to focus it.

If you must repair it yourself, I'd at least call and ask if you can buy a lens from Nova.

I thought about buying a lens, but I don't want to spend money on something that could work just as well... and I can't afford to spend any more money on lasers... yet. Also, making a cap to focus it is a little frustrating, personally. I made one but it seems to lose a lot of power after being directed to 3 different lenses (two in the cap and the collimator). Anyway, if I fail, I can still buy a lens from them later. I like the fact that it can be focused with ONE lens WITHOUT an unsightly cap on the pretty gold end. And I get to set the lens in place myself so I can have it aligned with the body! I'm trying to be optimistic about my poor laser...

My question is:

This lens I am using is a little bit too big to fit correctly... so I want to cut it to fit better... Can I use a Dremel diamond wheel? or something of that sort?