- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Messages
- 5
- Points
- 0
Hello Gang,
Let me start by introducing myself and saying the entire bunch of you guys are awesome.
Name's Jack from Pennsylvania, USA. I'm 22 and love any and all things science. (My true loves are chemistry and anything to do with space) Was in undergraduate school for Chemical Engineering but due to financial reasons I have had to put those dreams on hold while I save $ to continue my education. I am currently an over the road truck driver and other than a weekend or two a month I'm living on the road.
I am an eagle scout and love camping/hiking, I'm an avid disc golfer, snowboarder, paintballer, tech enthusiast and video gamer...
I also have a deep love of nature. I'm not the hippie tree hugger type who protests big oil and smokes pot ...(I do love the herb though) I'm just someone who thinks we as a whole species (by nature of being intelligent beings capable of destroying our wonderful planet) should be doing way more to curb pollution/environment destruction. But I digress... lasers is the reason I am here.
Lasers are fascinating pieces of technological achievement that is a testament to what is possible when the human mind is put to work. They are also just plain cool. (AM I RIGHT?)
I wish to dive headfirst into this hobby and not look back. If there are any veterans reading this I have a few questions for you if that is ok?
I have read the stickies geared towards people new to the forum and a couple others that had the most views.
That being said I still plan to spend the better part of the next week finishing all the preliminary reading but it would be convenient if I got just a few simple ones out of the way.
HOW LONG did it take for you to learn the basics of lasers (what seemingly complicated specifications actually mean, how the components of a laser come together to actually make a laser and how they work, fair price points for both fully built lasers and components for DIY projects) I know I can get all that information here with some searching and don't expect to become a master overnight but can I expect to be able to pull off a custom 200 mw 532 mW within a year?
What got you into the hobby?
Searching "How lasers work" or "best starter lasers" comes up with a plethora of results MANY very old at 3 or 4 years sometimes older , probably still very relevant and will read them all to absorb their knowledge but what are YOUR personal must read threads containing literature on the anatomy of a laser. Just your favorite or top one will work. I don't need you to give me everything or hold my hand through the whole learning process. I just feel like this hobby is a building built from the ground up on the basics, but I cannot find the ground floor (starting point).
Thanks in advance for anything and everthing.
Jack. P.S. any redditors here?
Let me start by introducing myself and saying the entire bunch of you guys are awesome.
Name's Jack from Pennsylvania, USA. I'm 22 and love any and all things science. (My true loves are chemistry and anything to do with space) Was in undergraduate school for Chemical Engineering but due to financial reasons I have had to put those dreams on hold while I save $ to continue my education. I am currently an over the road truck driver and other than a weekend or two a month I'm living on the road.
I am an eagle scout and love camping/hiking, I'm an avid disc golfer, snowboarder, paintballer, tech enthusiast and video gamer...
I also have a deep love of nature. I'm not the hippie tree hugger type who protests big oil and smokes pot ...(I do love the herb though) I'm just someone who thinks we as a whole species (by nature of being intelligent beings capable of destroying our wonderful planet) should be doing way more to curb pollution/environment destruction. But I digress... lasers is the reason I am here.
Lasers are fascinating pieces of technological achievement that is a testament to what is possible when the human mind is put to work. They are also just plain cool. (AM I RIGHT?)
I wish to dive headfirst into this hobby and not look back. If there are any veterans reading this I have a few questions for you if that is ok?
I have read the stickies geared towards people new to the forum and a couple others that had the most views.
That being said I still plan to spend the better part of the next week finishing all the preliminary reading but it would be convenient if I got just a few simple ones out of the way.
HOW LONG did it take for you to learn the basics of lasers (what seemingly complicated specifications actually mean, how the components of a laser come together to actually make a laser and how they work, fair price points for both fully built lasers and components for DIY projects) I know I can get all that information here with some searching and don't expect to become a master overnight but can I expect to be able to pull off a custom 200 mw 532 mW within a year?
What got you into the hobby?
Searching "How lasers work" or "best starter lasers" comes up with a plethora of results MANY very old at 3 or 4 years sometimes older , probably still very relevant and will read them all to absorb their knowledge but what are YOUR personal must read threads containing literature on the anatomy of a laser. Just your favorite or top one will work. I don't need you to give me everything or hold my hand through the whole learning process. I just feel like this hobby is a building built from the ground up on the basics, but I cannot find the ground floor (starting point).
Thanks in advance for anything and everthing.
Jack. P.S. any redditors here?