Hello Members of LPF / My First Build

A big hello to everyone here! I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Thomas. I split my time between Las Vegas and Anchorage. I am a pilot - and here to take revenge! Just kidding! But the former is true.

For a couple of weeks now I have been lurkin' - and - searchin'. Yes, a "NOOB" found the search function (both of them). There is hope, right?! Anyways, so much good info here - koodos to you all for years of great builds, posts and insight. I've spent more time on here then a guy should! But it's all just so cool. The technology has come a long ways in recent years.

So, it took me a little bit, but I've figured out the best path (IMO) for a few products to start my first build. Some parts are "in the mail!" If it's okay, I'll continue to post in this thread as my success or failure evolves. If I did it right, there should be some photos of my first (planned) host below. I already have some questions about the direction I'll take it.

I'm really looking forward to contributing to this forum as my knowledge base allows - which means it won't be for a while! (monetarily after the holidays! LOL!). In closing I'll say, "Considering the effects of most lasers on light and dark surfaces, has anyone ever asked themselves if that is why stormtroopers wear white armor?!" :beer:

Welcome to LPF Pew

Hope you have a great time on the forums! It also seems your pictures did not show up

Got it....but now I'm wondering why my avatar photo is not showing up?

Now i got it! Haha!

Welcome :beer:

Is that the ozark flashlight from walmart? If so THROW those batteries out ASAP. DO NOT CHARGE THEM IN THE HOST. That is a ticking bomb (discussed in another thread but cheap batteries with no circuity that is a horrible idea waiting to go boom!)

You can use it for a laser build but you wont be able to use the built in charger unless you make your own battery pack with proper circuits.

Tmack is using that host for a build so hit him up for questions

LOL! Yeah, it might be one of those bomb things. Before it goes together, I'm planning a trip to fry's for better batteries. Is it just the batteries or the built in charger too?

Well you need to put a circuit between the batteries to balance the batteries out. If they are not balanced then its a huge issue. If balanced then you can use the charger

Update on those batteries. It won't even charge without the circuitry in the stock batteries. They do in fact have a balance circuit. If you put two 18650 in and attempt to charge it won't work because that circuit isn't there

Greenlander, LivinLoud, TMack, Thanks for the welcome you guys. To the post office to pick up my 445nm!

PewPewPlease said:

Got it....but now I'm wondering why my avatar photo is not showing up? Now i got it! Haha!

Click to expand...

Welcome to LPF, Thomas! May you find some fellow Star Wars fans here too! Your views on aircraft strikes by lasers would not be out-of-place in our 'safety and legal' section. Love your avatar of Han Solo on the planet of Hoth; his DL-44 laser blaster was based on a WW2 German Mauser C-96.

WELCOME --super first post- If you move the build discussion to the proper section you may get more advice--- +5 to Livin' for the heads up on cheap batts. I never cahrged mine in the house until I got a safer/smart charger- like the niteCore i2- I liked them so much I bought a few to sell at $15- you can even safely 'store' batts in one of these/

a VERY bad idea in any cheap charger BTW.

As a pilot your can be a big asset to the forum - we have a few others here like Matt-'arythna' who prolly has more wavelengths than any other member and 'Captainjmn' so I started a social group here for pilots sending you an invite shortly -- not much goes on at most of these groups but if you want to know when a new member joins or something new is posted you MUST find 'Group Tools' and select from the drop down 'Subscribe' --

brb with a link you need to see-- Len

Orion, Thanks for the welcome. And tips. Didn't realize that blaster was based on the C-96. Google image search shows cool results. Thanks! Glad you like my avatar. I love playing in the snow (when not in Vegas of course) Empire Strikes Back has always been my favorite episode.

HakZaw, Thanks to you too for the welcome. Nice tip on the charger. Frys sells the batteries but despite every avenue while in the store I've found THEY DONT SELL THE CHARGER. At least not here in Vegas - so thanks for that. The niteCore i2 looks better then any crap I've found online until now.

Thanks for the invite to the pilot group. I've joined and look forward to contributing there.

SOOOO, I need help with the host. See link here:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/sinking-ship-86950.html#post1263928

And cue LivinLoud on the "I told you so." Haha. Just kidding man....

hey never beat yourself up over choosing a host that does not turn out to be what you hoped.
We all have some hosts tucked away that may never become lasers.

Most who make these Heatsink for us like to have the actual flashlight in hand as even the same version can vary a little from one to the next and the best fit is a tight fit- on other hosts however heat sink are FS and most fit just fine. You have lots of members here worthy of your biz- In no particular order and not a complete list-- Jayrob- Flaminpyro-DTR -Mcrouse-(et al)have all made items I own and all are very reasonable in their prices are perfectionists and very helpful after the sale..
This is because they have made many pcs. - not just one and also they are good guys AND they treat the forum community like extended family members.

Hey HakZaw,

Thanks for the encouragement. Might still make it as a host, I haven't given up yet. Yeah, in a couple of weeks of Lurkin'-and-Searchin' I got a fairly good bead on what to buy and from whom. The main problem here, I just don't know what I am doing! LOL!

I bought my diode and driver from one member you mentioned, bet you can guess who. Great services. Also, have talked to two of the other vendors you mentioned about the sink. One is 3-4 weeks out. The other is 1-2 weeks out. So, I decided to play with the host for a bit before deciding on the sink direction/vendor. Haha. Just wanted to seeeee theeeee beeeeammmm. I did, and burnt my first hole. It was a cardboard box! Cherry busted. Felt like I was handling a gun. Surprisingly nervous first time I fired it up!

I can tell there is a lot of skill here, and it's nice to see guys wanting to help out.

LPF has always been a pretty friendly forum and recent 'housecleaning' has made it more so in the past year/--


Looks like the 'hook' is well set for you so we can 'reel' you in and relieve you of the contents of your wallet. lol

Looking forward to see laser pics taken FROM an aircraft instead of one showing a laser pointed at one. happy landings for you sir!!

hak

Haha nice hak.

And the more I look at this host the more I want to do it. I mean it gives you contact board leads. What else do you need lol. Dtr and Mrcrouse here I come

HakZaw, Yeah the hook is TOO set. I don't ever get into anything halfway. Give me a few months and I'll have one of those cool auto signatures with a few lasers. Guessing most will be blue - except the from the air laser! You are on my wavelength, A lot of desert out here in Vegas, planning to shoot the side of a mountain on departure - when empty (no passengers) of course - and snap a beam shot lol! Guessing red would be a good one for this?

Tmack, I gutted that host. What a PITA. In a few minutes, I'm going to post a few more pics here.

Happy New Years, Guys!