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FrozenGate by Avery

Assembled a 445nm 9mm in a Stainless steel host (pic heavy)

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May 14, 2013
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I have been planning this for about four months. This is by far my most impressive laser and may well be the most expensive one I ever build. I am always reading threads here where a new person posts in the welcome area, or they post what laser should I buy, or I am looking for a laser etc. and frequently they say something like "I hope to eventually learn how to build my own laser". Well you can and you can do it easier than you think. So this will not be just a build thread but also a tutorial on how you can put together a high quality and powerful laser yourself from off the shelf parts with the most difficult part already done for you. I will provide complete details and links to every part to buy so that anyone can build this exact same laser, I am including a large number of photos and explaining every step of assembly. I did this some in my last build here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/assembled-m140-c6-pic-heavy-83543.html This time I took more photos and will explain in more detail.

OK let us begin. First here are the parts used:

Module and G2 lens from DTR
Amazon.com: Nichia NDB7875 445nm 9mm Laser Diode In a Copper Module W/Leads & 405-G-2 Lens: Everything Else $144.49 shipped in US. I want to point out here that not all of DTR's stuff is available on Amazon, also you can save a few dollars if you buy directly from his web site here:
https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/ but you have to pay with paypal or Google Checkout/Wallet.

Except for batteries, charger and safety glasses all other parts were puchaced from Survival Laser from their US site here:
Survival Laser USA Home their international site is here: Survival Laser International Home

Survival Laser Stainless Steel Host Assembly, Extended and Tapered Heat Sink $49.99

DIY 2.2A Driver & Pill Module
$44.99

Battery Extension Tube- Stainless Steel
$19.99

Clamp Mount & Tripod
$9.99

Extended Length Focusing Ring - Clear Anodized
$9.99

External Lens Spring
$5.79

Silicone Lens Cap
$0.49

Normally that would add up to $285.72 not counting batteries, charger and safety glasses. The total from Survival Laser adds up to $141.23, however using the discount code for LPF members the total was only $133.11 shipped, add that to $144.49 and the total is $277.60 for the laser itself.

The batteries I am using can be found here:
Amazon.com: 4Pcs 3.7V 18650 3000mah Rechargeable Batterys: Electronics

The charger I am using is here:
Amazon.com: Trustfire Multifunctional Universal Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery Charger for CR123A, 16340, 14500, 10400, or 18650: Camera & Photo

You will of course also need safety glasses if you don't yet have them.

You will also need:

Some heat shrink tubing.
Solder.
Soldering iron.
A helping hands tool with magnifier may be helpful but is not required.
You might also need a wire cutters and wire stripper.

Now that we have everything we need lets open the packages and start assembling.

I got this from DTR many weeks ago but had to wait until I could buy all the parts. It got here in only three days like last time, I am sure many of you recognize his packaging.

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I was a little startled when I opened it as it was a shorter module, I didn't know he had these but I soon realized I had the correct item.

DSCN0098_zpsf6a0a61a.jpg


Now lets take it apart and set aside the internal spring and the focus ring as spare parts because I prefer to use something better in this case.

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Here is just the diode in the module by itself.

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All the parts from Survival Laser arrived together in one package.

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Opening the box.

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Separate the parts and everything is there as expected.

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Now lets unwrap the parts and have everything ready.

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Notice I included a clamp/tripod as part of this laser, more about that later. Lets take a brief moment to mention batteries and a charger. My first build linked to above at the beginning runs on two 16340's, those are not suitable for this laser, its possible but not very practical, you would need the highest quality 16340's and probably still get very short battery life. By comparison 18650's are very large and can put out more current, so this laser will run on two 18650's, be aware they also take longer to charge so you may want more than one pair. I have four of these and I linked to them above. Please note I am not specifically recommending these batteries, they are cheap but they will work fine in this laser. You may prefer something higher quality, just be sure to buy the button top and not the kind that are flat on both ends.

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If you don't have a charger for 18650's you will need one of those too. I made the mistake last time of buying a cheap charger that is made for only 16340's. Its a good idea to get a better charger to begin with that can charge many sizes of batteries because at some point you will probably be charging more than one size. Here is the one I am using, again it is linked to above, and again I am not recommending this charger, just saying I am pleased with it. Just buy whatever charger you will. There are many threads discussing both batteries and chargers.

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It charges most sizes we use for lasers and has a cord instead of plugging directly into an outlet.

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I tested it and it does charge them at 4.2V when on the 3.6V setting.

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Now back to the laser. Lets get the module, lens, external spring and extended focus ring.

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Now take the lens and screw on the focus ring so its tight and wont easily come loose.

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Then slide the external spring over the lens.

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Then screw it into the module.

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Take the heat sink and slide the wires in from the front and slide the module in so its level with the front of the heat sink and tighten the set screw.

DSCN0114_zpsf9f90a93.jpg


Then take the front section of the host and unscrew the small part off the front if you haven't already done so, you need to remove it to insert the heat sink and put it back to hold it in place. It is a small part, it may be difficult to unscrew it until its loosened some.

DSCN0115_zps46108649.jpg


Take that front section and slide the heat sink in from the front like this.

DSCN0116_zps7e3022ca.jpg


Whatever you do don't screw this piece back on the front yet.

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Lets set that aside and look at the driver/pill assembly. This driver requires two batteries, it is preset to 2.2A although you can see the pot in there and it is adjustable from 1.6A to 2.3A, don't mess with it if you don't know what your doing, also notice this is a drilled out pill and not a standard pill. Obviously that is partly so it can be user adjustable, but I also recommend using the drilled out pill even if you use another driver because the extended heat sink touches the pill leaving you very little room for your wires although at the same time this will help transfer more heat away from the diode.

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And the battery contact side.

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Now you will need to solder two wires together. Get a piece of heat shrink and cut it to two pieces of appropriate length.

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Then slide the heat shrink over the wires on the driver.

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Then we have to solder the wires from the module to the driver like this.

DSCN0122_zpsa4e9efef.jpg


Slide the heat shrink over the soldered connections, then brush the heat shrink lightly a couple of times with your soldering iron but be quick, I am using a 30W iron, some people use a heat gun or paper matches work if you are fast.

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Now get this mid section of the host.

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Then while holding the pill without turning it, screw the mid section onto the pill like this.

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Slide the heat sink out of the front section so you have this.

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Hold onto the mid section without turning it and screw the front section onto it without turning the heat sink and wires.

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Then slide the heat sink back into the front section like this. It was here that I suddenly realized my wires were a little longer than they should be but I didn't think it necessary to fix, I was able to stick my finger in there and stuff some wire into the pill.

DSCN0128_zps2ba68ddc.jpg


Make sure the heat sink is seated properly in place and then you can screw that small part back on the front that holds it in place.

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Now we have this.

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Get the battery extension tube ready.

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Then screw it onto the mid section.

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Lets take a look at the tail cap and switch.

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We are almost done now so lets get out the batteries. Hopefully at this point you have already charged your batteries. My batteries didn't come charged and took so long to charge I began to wonder if something was wrong so I got out my DMM and tested the charger (4.2V) and checked the voltage on the batteries and found they were almost done by then, the green lights soon came on and they were charged to a full 4.2V.

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Now we can insert the batteries positive + end first.

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Here is where caution is recommended. Don't be too quick to screw on that tail cap or you may cause an unpleasant accident. You don't know yet if that switch is turned on or off, and this is a potentially dangerous laser so be careful. I raised this issue before and cheech226 offered a useful safety tip, he said "There should be No guessing if the switch is on or off when putting the batteries in. Use your dmm to check continuity of the switch before inserting batteries". Now if you don't have a DMM you should get one now because you probably shouldn't be assembling a laser then if you don't have one and know how to use it, however there is a first time for everything and we have to learn. So if you don't bother with the DMM or don't have one just be sure that laser is pointed in a safe direction with no animals or children in the room, and keep in mind it can really burn stuff fast.

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If everything has gone as planned we should now have a working laser. Lets first go back to the clamp/tripod for a moment.

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The clamp and tripod are two pieces, the tripod is very small and can't hold something much heavier than this laser but will work fine but the clamp can also be used on a larger tripod. So I recommend this one or something similar, there are others to choose from.

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I now consider one of these a necessity with a laser this powerful. With my other blue laser I once burned my finger in an unlikely accident while doing two things at once, that was only 1 to 2 seconds, no way I am ever coming in contact with the beam from this as this is possibly as much as twice the power of my M140 laser and I thought that one was impressive. So have both hands available when using your laser or put it in the tripod while working with something else like a camera or whatever. Here is the complete laser in the tripod. Notice the tapered heat sink sticks out some and combined with the extended focus ring it is easy to focus and no risk of getting your fingers in the beam. I also like these focus rings because I prefer to keep a dust cap over the lens when not in use because I live in a dusty environment and don't want my lenses dirty or damaged.

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One more word about safety, be sure you have safety glasses first and have more than one pair so you can safely share your laser with someone else. Enough about that as it is a topic for other threads and a matter of personal preference.

DSCN0143_zpsa3732893.jpg


The Survival Laser stainless steel host is very good quality, it is similar to a C6 but different. With the larger heat sink and battery extension tube and two 18650 batteries it is much larger and heavier than my C6. Here are some photos with items for scale so you can tell its approximate size.

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And here it is next to my C6 M140.

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I tried to take some beam shots but without much luck, my cameras don't like lasers so this is the best I could do. This laser is also brighter than my M140 making it difficult. This one turned out good in bright light, there is a light on directly above me with two 60W bulbs and the flash on the camera went off and it still wasn't bright enough to drown out the laser, no smoke or fog.

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These next four were taken with a different camera without a flash also there was no smoke or fog for any of these photos.

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Here is the beam unfocused. Notice the black spot on the left.

IMG_20131018_153959_zps3d11efcd.jpg


Here it is slightly focused, unfortunately it doesn't show in the picture, it is just too bright for the camera. This is really a perfect rectangle, that black spot is still there and two smaller ones, very visible when unfocused like that but nothing wrong when focused. Its not the lens because they don't rotate when its focused, so the spots are in the diode or the diode window. Anyway I don't consider it a problem, if its not broke don't fix it.

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And one more.

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In conclusion I will say I am very pleased with the way this turned out. This Survival Laser stainless steel host is a great host. If you want to put together a high quality and powerful blue laser without too much difficulty this is a good way to do it. I hope this thread will encourage and make it possible for some to build the same or similar lasers.

I would also like to say that DTR and Survival Laser are two of the best sellers to buy from, I have purchased from them before and will again.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Alan
 





Thanks for the extensive build. It could be used as a tutorial. That is a powerful laser you got there.
 
A nice detailed review pi, good job!
I've always liked survival laser's s.s. hosts also.

A +1 for ya
 
Very nice , this looks like a very solid build with copper heatsink it should last long too.. :beer:

I would suggest to ditch those ultracraps and the extension tube, and get 2x AW 18350's they last quite long and the laser will become compact and easy to carry , but that's just how i like it..

Enjoy your new laser, and keep safe :beer:
 
Nice job with the build Pi, I'm about to build a laser that is very similar to this one and I too have been planning for months.... I've definitely gained knowledge from this thread and will use it in my next build! Much thanks man:wave::wave:
 
Thanks everyone for the nice comments, am glad you like it. It is a very powerful laser and has exceeded my expectations. I tried to be as detailed as I could so others would see its not too hard to build a laser yourself, however I fear for some of the noobs who want to start with a laser like this. Don't underestimate it, you could accidentally burn stuff or start a fire or worse.

Very nice , this looks like a very solid build with copper heatsink it should last long too.. :beer:

I would suggest to ditch those ultracraps and the extension tube, and get 2x AW 18350's they last quite long and the laser will become compact and easy to carry , but that's just how i like it..

Enjoy your new laser, and keep safe :beer:

sinner thanks for that suggestion. Do you know for sure if those will fit? I brought this up in another thread here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f67/18350-batteries-what-hosts-do-they-fit-85697.html and I have already tried my Trustfire 18350's in this host and they don't fit, but I am thinking not all 18350's are the same length, maybe I need some that are unprotected.

Nice job with the build Pi, I'm about to build a laser that is very similar to this one and I too have been planning for months.... I've definitely gained knowledge from this thread and will use it in my next build! Much thanks man:wave::wave:

Thanks I am pleased to hear that. That's just what I was hoping for. Many people out there have little or no electronics knowledge and don't know enough about the different parts or what works together. I think we need a few more threads like this to help educate people more.

It looks like there something may have gotten on the diode window.

Yes that's what I was thinking although I don't see anything on it but my eyesight is fuzzy when looking at something so small. I need a more powerful magnifier or a microscope. The spots are only visible when its unfocused so I'll leave it alone for now, I don't want to take a chance on making it worse.

Alan
 
Awesome tutorial. I am working on a 445 build as well and I have learned from this post. Thanks!
 
Thanks very much guys and thanks for the rep. I am so pleased that some people are learning something from this. I hope I can do another one like this in a few weeks.

I managed to get a better photo of what I was talking about with the black spots, this photo was taken in bright light with a flash and you can see three black spots but there are really five spots but two are very small and are drowned out by the light. Here it is:

DSCN0152_zps3c073cab.jpg


Anyway as I said earlier its no big deal as its not visible when focused so am not going to worry about it.

I left the laser on for the longest yet while trying to get that photo and it got quite hot, I think I will avoid doing that again and keep the duty cycle down to more like 45 sec. or at least under 1 minute.

Alan
 
I've been using a little 100x pocket microscope for looking at diodes. So far it has been working really
well. More magnification and a wider focal range would be nice though. A jeweler's loupe is better than
nothing, but I've found that it doesn't have quite enough magnification and optical quality. My loupe seems
to have pretty bad chromatic aberration.
 
Hi Pi R Squared, Im new so please excuse my noobness. I saw that the Module leads were wrapped together. Did you have to unwrap them with your hands? ( I know weird question) I thought touching the leads would short the module also if I touch the Driver leads. Is this True? im confused.

Nice Build and tutorial It really helps. Thanks
 
Touching them won't hurt anything. I received my module today and they were twisted. Just untwist them and twist the back when your joining your wires to the driver. You have to touch them.
 





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