First DIY using an old host.

Hi All,

Yesterday I made my first red laser build (kit), you can see it here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/my-first-red-laser-build-kit-54789.html

...and it got me going so much I decided to try my luck at a DIY using a 445 diode.

Since I'm using an old host, technically this probably can't be considered a DIY...but hey...it's something.

I basically fried a green laser a while back trying to pot-mod it (doh!), but I liked the host so much I couldn't part with it (good thing too).

So I ripped out the parts I wasn't going to need and replaced them with new (and improved) ones.

Since I'm not a machinist, I had to make due with what I had, and use only what you see here.

Note: Host takes one 18650 battery.

Here are the pics.























I cannot believe how powerful this thing is, definitely not a toy.

I'm not sure I like the key-on, key-off feature, and will probably replace (attempt) the tail cap with a switch of some kind.

Really loving this new hobby and this forum!

Thanks for viewing.

nice job, nice host as well... :gj:

Pretty good job. Perhaps heatsinking could be improved, at 1W and using almost also the aixiz module and a little alum, may be you have to keep short duty cycles. If you can measure length, threads, etc. here are fantastic machinists (not me) that can help you. just... simply ask.

BTW what lens are you using, I guess an aixiz 445...

Excellent work! Looks like a clean, well done installation. I wish I could build lasers that cleanly. Just too many small parts!

magonegro said:

Pretty good job. Perhaps heatsinking could be improved, at 1W and using almost also the aixiz module and a little alum, may be you have to keep short duty cycles. If you can measure length, threads, etc. here are fantastic machinists (not me) that can help you. just... simply ask.

BTW what lens are you using, I guess an aixiz 445...

Click to expand...

Thanks! Yep this place is great, and I wouldn't have been able to do this without this forum. I've got orders into Jayrob and Flaminpyro for some builds, but I figured I'd kill some time while they get to mine. You are correct, this particular laser heats up pretty fast (though I haven't timed it), due to its lacking heatsink so the duty cycle is not too long, but this was more or less a "let's just see if I can do this" type of project so I'm not planning on really using this one for anything. And yes, the lens is an Aixiz glass lens.

leukoplast said:

Excellent work! Looks like a clean, well done installation. I wish I could build lasers that cleanly. Just too many small parts!

Click to expand...

Thanks again... I used to think the same exact thing...my eyesight is failing (near vision of all things...damn!) so I thought this kind of hobby would be out of reach, if not impossible. However, with me, I am really only as good as the tools I use, and if I have crappy tools, well....I do crappy work

Reading and reading this forum, I compiled a list of tools from what I read and saw in pictures...and before I even started trying to build anything, I waited until I had the right tools. Three of THE most useful "build" tools I can recommend here are these:




Note: I placed heatshrink tubing over the aligator clips so they can hold more "delicate" items.

Now, there are many, many other tools I have, and some are very laser specific (FlaminPyro) has some great "must have" tools...but the ones pictured above are usually the tools that are constantly in front of me...and I assure you, I could NOT do this type of work without them. You can pick them up at any RadioShak or anywhere online, like Amazon.

So I highly recommend you try doing this, it's a lot of fun.

Nice build. I just have one question. Is that spring on the back of the aixiz module securely in place?

If its just being held in place by that one wire and insulation then eventually it may bend and short out the battery against the module when u change batteries, or from the pressure the spring applies. I have seen this happen on pointers before. A good quality CNI pointer no less.

Just a word of caution.

GMH said:

Nice build. I just have one question. Is that spring on the back of the aixiz module securely in place?

If its just being held in place by that one wire and insulation then eventually it may bend and short out the battery against the module when u change batteries, or from the pressure the spring applies. I have seen this happen on pointers before. A good quality CNI pointer no less.

Just a word of caution.

Click to expand...

Yes, I was/am concerned about this too... The spring is soldered to the exit wire, but the whole thing (including the wire inside the module) is wrapped in heatshrink tubing...so my hope is that it will be tough enough to withstand the minor punishment I'll be putting it through. But I hear you...this build is certainly not what I would call "quality assured" by any means:yabbem:

I should also note that there is a foam pad that sits between the battery and the module, and the spring fits tightly through a center hole in the pad...so this *should* also provide for some protection.

Thanks for the headsup and feedback.

Kryczeck said:

Thanks again... I used to think the same exact thing...my eyesight is failing (near vision of all things...damn!) so I thought this kind of hobby would be out of reach, if not impossible. However, with me, I am really only as good as the tools I use, and if I have crappy tools, well....I do crappy work

Reading and reading this forum, I compiled a list of tools from what I read and saw in pictures...and before I even started trying to build anything, I waited until I had the right tools. Three of THE most useful "build" tools I can recommend here are these:

Note: I placed heatshrink tubing over the aligator clips so they can hold more "delicate" items.

Now, there are many, many other tools I have, and some are very laser specific (FlaminPyro) has some great "must have" tools...but the ones pictured above are usually the tools that are constantly in front of me...and I assure you, I could NOT do this type of work without them. You can pick them up at any RadioShak or anywhere online, like Amazon.

So I highly recommend you try doing this, it's a lot of fun.

Click to expand...

Yeah, before I did anything with lasers I got myself one of those 'helping hands' things. There is absolutely no way to even begin a laser build without something like that. As for your second pic, I don't have anything like that. Those aren't just tweezers are they?

Also, funny you mention FlaminPyro, cause I just bought one of his diode presses yesterday.

leukoplast said:

Those aren't just tweezers are they?

Click to expand...

Nope...I guess they would fall under the same classification as "tweezers", but certainly not the kind I think of when my wife asks "Where are the tweezers"...if you get what I mean.

The pair on the top half of the picture are constant tension...meaning, you have to squeeze them to open them, and they close automatically...very useful when trying to hold small items and manipulate them around (especially with my fat fingers).

The second pair are like tweezers but with 2 big differences:

1) The last 3/4" of the ends are angled at 45 degrees
2) The inner portion of the tips are serrated.

...most other tweezers I have don't have those characteristics.

Thanks.

Excellent stuff!

May I only point out that nanometers acrynim is spelled "nm" not "nM" ?
I'd appreciate it

Nice laser, very nicely and professionally made, I like the host too.
What's the on/off switch?

Eudaimonium said:

Excellent stuff!

May I only point out that nanometers acrynim is spelled "nm" not "nM" ?
I'd appreciate it

Nice laser, very nicely and professionally made, I like the host too.
What's the on/off switch?

Click to expand...

Hey thanks! Yah, that was a typo that I didn't catch until after the image was saved....at the time I figured no one would notice...but given this forum, what was I thinking . Since I no longer have the "original" image, and I didn't save the pictures in vector format, I had to go in and modify the 'M' on a pixel-by-pixel basis (which is why I didn't bother when I saw the blunder)...but I've fixed it now and it looks better.

Oh, and the On/Off is done via a key in the tail cap...you can just make it out in some of the pics.

Thanks for the feedback and rep :thanks:

Kryczeck said:

Hey thanks! Yah, that was a typo that I didn't catch until after the image was saved....at the time I figured no one would notice...but given this forum, what was I thinking . Since I no longer have the "original" image, and I didn't save the pictures in vector format, I had to go in and modify the 'M' on a pixel-by-pixel basis (which is why I didn't bother when I saw the blunder)...but I've fixed it now and it looks better.

Oh, and the On/Off is done via a key in the tail cap...you can just make it out in some of the pics.

Thanks for the feedback and rep :thanks:

Click to expand...

Oh, only the key? No other switch?

You did not have to correct the picture you know, I was just saying for future refference.

Most certanly deserves rep.

Only thing I see is that you might want to beef up your heatsinking at some point in the near future. That aluminum donut is going to heat up fairly quickly driving that at 1W so you'll really have to limit your duty cycles.

Otherwise, it looks great.

You are already hooked and there is no hope for you now! If you have a better half then they just became a laser-widow!

Good stuff here. I like the heatshrink on the helping hands. I might try this myself. Sometimes good to have the electrical contact but I have two pairs so one will now employ your mod. Thanks.

I like the heatshrink idea but I like your sanity checks more! :crackup:

It's nice to see progression and I look forward to more.

+1 for this and the red build too.

M

Morgan said:

You are already hooked and there is no hope for you now! If you have a better half then they just became a laser-widow!

Click to expand...

So so true! :crackup:

Thanks for the feedback and rep really appreciate it. I am hooked, and I'm actually trying my hand at custom heatsink for a specific host...if it works out you'll see a thread on it...if no thread it means i crashed and burned.

As for the heatshrink on the clips, I have found that a double layer is needed, as the teeth eventually start wearing through.