Can someone recommend a diode+driver for me?

I reciently saw the phaser someone made that used a blueray diode. Looked nice but I would like to make my own in a bit different way. #1 im using 3d printed parts, #2 I will add in 2 weak 5mw laser diodes (one wide beam) and one just standard non dangerous dot laser. For the primary burning laser diode I would like to be able to engrave (burn) wood and pop _white_ baloons without being focused. Blue would be prefered but thats not critical, budget is reasonable 150$ for diode and driver. Unfortunately not open to buying through this forum (sorry have had bad experiences buying and trading stuff through forums :C) so would have to be through amazon, ebay, aliexpress, ect...
:lasergun:

Please make a Welcome thread in the Welcome sub-forum---you will get much better responses.

In the meantime have a look here: https://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-star-trek-phaser-hot-option-individual-parts-46946.html

You can see a large selection of diodes and information about them , modules, drivers amd lenses here on DTRs site and he also sells on eBay and Amazon - see: https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/

Use the LPF Custom Search at the bottom page to search the LPF database---there are several threads on various "phaser" builds

^^^^ Exactly ^^^^^

Additionally, you aren't going to be doing much wood burning or popping of white balloons with an unfocused beam.

BTW, Welcome to LPF, snek. :yh:

I’ll second Encap, DTR is your best option and he has some of his products on amazon.

Maybe try a Osram PLT5-510 for the pointing dots, according to DTR they can be run at 5mW, and are near the human eye’s peak visibility.

Welcome to the forum

DTR, who is a member here has also sold on eBay too. You can buy his offering for less by buying them direct from his website. Many people starting out building lasers have bought from him and he will answer all your questions and make your efforts as easy for you as can be done.

BowtieGuy said:

^^^^ Exactly ^^^^^

Additionally, you aren't going to be doing much wood burning or popping of white balloons with an unfocused beam.

BTW, Welcome to LPF, snek. :yh:

Click to expand...

By unfocused I didn't mean *really* unfocused. By unfocused I meant that if I pop a balloon 10 ft away, be able to also pop a balloon 20 ft away without having to refocus it.

Thank you, I have lurked this forum for quite awhile and figured it was time I finally make an account

snek said:

By unfocused I didn't mean *really* unfocused. By unfocused I meant that if I pop a balloon 10 ft away, be able to also pop a balloon 20 ft away without having to refocus it.

Thank you, I have lurked this forum for quite awhile and figured it was time I finally make an account

Click to expand...

So focused to infinity? A 445nm >1W will be able to pop balloons focused to infinity, by I'm not sure how well it'd burn wood. Will probably take a while, especially give the poor divergence of 445 multimode diodes. To burn wood quickly you'd want the focal point to be on the wood.

@ snek You are responsible for knowing your countries laser laws and you must wear proper eye protection if working with lasers over 5mw

snek said:

I reciently saw the phaser someone made that used a blueray diode. Looked nice but I would like to make my own in a bit different way. #1 im using 3d printed parts, #2 I will add in 2 weak 5mw laser diodes (one wide beam) and one just standard non dangerous dot laser. For the primary burning laser diode I would like to be able to engrave (burn) wood and pop _white_ baloons without being focused. Blue would be prefered but thats not critical, budget is reasonable 150$ for diode and driver. Unfortunately not open to buying through this forum (sorry have had bad experiences buying and trading stuff through forums :C) so would have to be through amazon, ebay, aliexpress, ect...

Click to expand...

As was stated previously....
It would be appreciated if you would introduce
yourself to the members in the Welcome section
so that members can learn a little about you.

It would also be helpful to members if you included
your Global location in your Profile...

Members are more likely to help someone they know
a little about.


Jerry

Good points made by Encap, BowtieGuy and lasersbee. Please make an introduction thread and tell us a little about yourself. Knowing who we are talking to makes giving our time more personal and, therefore, more likely to happen.