New Guy Here!

Hey LPF! Impressively cool site here... I'm coming from the Budget Light Forum/CPF section of the internet. I'm a mid-level flashaholic and am trying to take the plunge into the laser area.

I have experience designing and building flashlights, but lasers is significantly more complex than I ever thought! I am hoping I can learn a lot here. I've been lurking and reading stickies and pages and pages of topics for months. Let's see if perhaps now I can contribute to the content as well!

I have a less expensive set of OD4 laser safety goggles to filter out 190-548nm; but I have no lasers yet. I do have an SDlaser 303 on its way that I had a coupon code for... which I realize is kinda a crappy laser now... but should be ok for a laser-noob to learn proper safety and maybe still have a little fun with.

I have a number of flashlights and hosts that I'd like to make into medium to high powered handheld lasers, so here's to hoping I can put something together. I've also exhausted just about every YouTube video out there on lasers.

I am struggling with locating reliable and affordable websites for ordering parts, and what parts are needed for what types of builds. I'd like to not simply buy from a member here and never experience building my own lasers, even if I fail (at which point I would clearly just buy completed units from LPF members).

Welcome to LPF Jason, nice to have another Michigander here! :beer:
Have fun, be safe, and enjoy your stay.

As you search, be sure to use the custom search bar at the bottom of the page for laser specific answers.

JasonJ said:

I am struggling with locating reliable and affordable websites for ordering parts, and what parts are needed for what types of builds. I'd like to not simply buy from a member here and never experience building my own lasers, even if I fail (at which point I would clearly just buy completed units from LPF members).

Click to expand...

Hello JasonJ, here are some of the sites we buy from:

https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/
DTR also sells on Amazon and on eBay
Amazon.com At a Glance: DTR's Laser Shop

Survival Laser USA Home

www.aixiz.net
AixiZ also sells some of their items on Amazon and eBay.

Illumn.com - Flashlights, Batteries, Carry Gear, Intelligent LED Lighting, and More!

I have also purchased some things on Amazon such as batteries, Chargers, safety glasses, tools and other supplies.

There are also some members here who don't have a site but sell things here on the forum in the B/S/T forum. There are some that sell parts and supplies, and there are are some machinists that can make hosts/heat sinks/focus knobs or most anything you want.

Welcome to LPF.

Alan

Welcome!

-Alex

Welcome to the forums! I must say this is one of the best intros yet!

Thanks for the warm welcome and the helpful links everyone! Much appreciated.

I have an electronics background thanks to my dad; he was an electrician, Motorola field tech during the 80's, and USMC engine mechanic. He helped me build our own voltage regulated power supplies, poor-man's Plasma Globe out of old TV parts, etc.

I can solder fairly well and have some good equipment, so hopefully I can put some of those links to use.

I am also a huge sci-fi/Star Trek/Wars fan... so JayRob's phaser mod is in the works! I have that old trek phaser toy from the 1990's in a box somewhere already! I also know of JayRob from the flashlight sites out there.

welcome Jason, great intro :beer:
gif

Welcome and I'll add in Fasttech for getting a lot of small pieces/parts really cheap plus the best deals around for way overspec 532nm modules (both 3V and 5V <5mW ones) and a single AAA white pen 532nm that is way overspec too. If you're looking for fun on the cheap with serious beams these are the way to go. It takes about 10x the amount of output from a blue laser to match the beam of a green one Just built another 120mW one into a pen unit I stripped the black anodizing off of this morning. Total cost about $10
Some +REP to help you get going.

There's also an LPF SEARCH at the top middle

Welcome to lpf. Nice intro btw

Hi JasonJ, welcome to the forum. Nice to see that you are expanding into the field of lasers. Thanks for posting a great intro. Have fun and be safe

JasonJ said:

I am also a huge sci-fi/Star Trek/Wars fan... so JayRob's phaser mod is in the works! I have that old trek phaser toy from the 1990's in a box somewhere already! I also know of JayRob from the flashlight sites out there.

Click to expand...

We have a member in Los Angeles called Shadowsix. You may find it interesting to see his Star Trek builds.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/n...hus-far-star-trek-green-phaser-mod-89127.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/my-star-trek-next-generation-phaser-red-mod-89866.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/m...es-pilot-capt-pike-s-laser-red-mod-90001.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/help-best-way-remove-these-screw-plugs-new-update-s-mix-90044.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/my-klingon-disruptor-green-mod-90227.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/u...carry-case-new-improved-new-photos-90740.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/k...ee-lasers-running-lights-pic-heavy-92674.html

Alan

Just read through all of those links.. very nice work by ShadowSix!