NUBM44 Handheld Build - Stainless steel

Wow okay so this turned out a lot better than I was expecting. I had originally traded a member for a NUBM44 project box build, and long story short I used the module from this build:


Image taken by Crazlaser, who traded the build with me

This is basically a win-win because I can use the rest of the box build as a test setup for other modules and the 44 modules for the handheld.

What happened for the most part was I was actually just screwing around with a bit of stainless tubing I found in the shop, and had an idea to put a 532nm module in it. After turning the notches in the front of the body I noticed that the inner diameter might be able to house the 20mm nubm44 module from the box build.

Turns out it was actually ~18.5mm, though I bored out the front section to a little under 20mm and press fit it into the tube with a contact board. After testing that I went ahead and made a tailcap for it, and at this point was when I thought to put the BE on it. The BE adapter stuck out a little which looked a bit weird so I made a "filler" ring out of copper which also acted as a focus ring for the main lens and filled the gap between the expander and the body. This worked out flawlessly. :beer:

Turns out that the best projects really are unplanned ones.

The only thing that really isn't good about this build is the duty cycle, it'll comfortably go to a minute but nothing past a minute and a half. Not only is stainless not the best heat conductor but the walls of the tubing ended up being pretty thin.

Here's some final shots, I didn't take many shots of the machining process because I had no idea it would be such a build.






Thanks for reading!
-E.P.

Oh yeah, very nice results EP, she's a beauty!
That 3X BE looks as if it's made for this host.
:gj: +rep

Wow! "Flawless" is the right word:gj:. Really like the copper ring, gives the build just enough color. Nice, very!

Beautifully done--nice work----looks great!

Damn that's NICE! pm incoming.

Thanks everyone, and for the reps too! It's been far too long since I built a handheld host for myself so I thought I'd go for the opportunity and make something nice :wave:

Wow Electricplasma! That's awesome. The beam expander is a super nice touch to that diode and the host is really clean looking. I'm glad you're able to use the box as a test box, that's a great idea, I never even thought of that. :thinking: +10
How long did it take to make the host? Also what batteries does the host fit, and what's burning range like the with BE?

btw, the 3 watt is still going good, was just using it tonight!

Crazlaser said:

Wow Electricplasma! That's awesome. The beam expander is a super nice touch to that diode and the host is really clean looking. I'm glad you're able to use the box as a test box, that's a great idea, I never even thought of that. :thinking: +10
How long did it take to make the host? Also what batteries does the host fit, and what's burning range like the with BE?

btw, the 3 watt is still going good, was just using it tonight!

Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm even adapting the XYZ mount to work with 12mm modules as well and using a set screw + alligator clips for quickly swapping. I thought it suited well as a test setup.

The host was more of a side project than anything so I didn't dedicate time specifically to it, but I worked on it over the span of about a week. Great to hear the Silver Series is still holding up!!

That is one great looking host, I really like the intergraded 3xBE, Seeing your host makes me wish I still had a machine shop at my disposal 24/7 like I use to have.......

How centered in the beam expander is your beam and with the highly divergent fast axis is there any clipping of it going into the BE ?

ElectricPlasma said:

Wow okay so this turned out a lot better than I was expecting. I had originally traded a member for a NUBM44 project box build, and long story short I used the module from this build:

Image taken by Crazlaser, who traded the build with me

This is basically a win-win because I can use the rest of the box build as a test setup for other modules and the 44 modules for the handheld.

What happened for the most part was I was actually just screwing around with a bit of stainless tubing I found in the shop, and had an idea to put a 532nm module in it. After turning the notches in the front of the body I noticed that the inner diameter might be able to house the 20mm nubm44 module from the box build.

Turns out it was actually ~18.5mm, though I bored out the front section to a little under 20mm and press fit it into the tube with a contact board. After testing that I went ahead and made a tailcap for it, and at this point was when I thought to put the BE on it. The BE adapter stuck out a little which looked a bit weird so I made a "filler" ring out of copper which also acted as a focus ring for the main lens and filled the gap between the expander and the body. This worked out flawlessly. :beer:

Turns out that the best projects really are unplanned ones.

The only thing that really isn't good about this build is the duty cycle, it'll comfortably go to a minute but nothing past a minute and a half. Not only is stainless not the best heat conductor but the walls of the tubing ended up being pretty thin.

Here's some final shots, I didn't take many shots of the machining process because I had no idea it would be such a build.

Thanks for reading!
-E.P.

Click to expand...

What are the threads of the 3X BE?
I just bought a M11 x 0.5 tap and that's not it, nor is it any of the 12mm taps. It's like maybe 11.25mm or the SAE equivalent.

Dang I hate that ! can you email them and ask what size it is ?

RedCowboy said:

What are the threads of the 3X BE?
I just bought a M11 x 0.5 tap and that's not it, nor is it any of the 12mm taps. It's like maybe 11.25mm or the SAE equivalent.

Click to expand...

Very nice looking build. Love the integrated beam expander and the way the host seems to flow nicely despite having a 3x expander. Will +rep when at a keyboard tonight.

I believe ElectricPlasma built this laser from scratch he should know what the thread size is on the BE ?

I think he ( EP ) said he used the adaptor, I have asked sanwu but they gave me the wrong size twice, its not any pitch 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 in either M11 or M12, It looks very much like a 0.5 pitch but the diameter is around 10.25mm, so either it's a custom threading or a SAE

I will have to take it by a machine shop and see if they can match it or tell me if it's some custom tooling.

I can do a workaround with an adaptor or make a pocket and drill divots for set screws, or tap the back where it's flat, I used a jam nut on my moped muffler, but I wanted to use 1/4 inch stock so I could put in 4 corner set screws to fine tune the alignment, but there is so little to work with I have to mount with a jam nut to thin material and attach that to the 1/4 inch with the center drilled out, all that when simply having the right tap would be so much easier.

RedCowboy said:

I think he ( EP ) said he used the adaptor, I have asked sanwu but they gave me the wrong size twice, its not any pitch 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 in either M11 or M12, It looks very much like a 0.5 pitch but the diameter is around 10.25mm, so either it's a custom threading or a SAE

I will have to take it by a machine shop and see if they can match it or tell me if it's some custom tooling.

Click to expand...

Oh man if it's a one off and not a regular thread that would not be cool of sanwu and I have to said it would kind of tic me off !