New, a need help choosing laser

Hi everyone.

Im new here. Found this site off of HighTechDealz.com

Basically im 21, and like to build things. I Just built a tesla Coil and now want to build a very nice burning laser!

The thing is, I'm not sure were to even start on this and what power/size I'm needing.

I found a 808nm 1000 mw high power 1 watt BURNING laser diode DPSS for about $18. Says these diodes are about 9mm in size. Is this a good laser to start with and worth what I'm wanting to do?
Also where and what size of a driver do i need for this?

Whats a good host with a good heat sink?

Thanks in advance!

It's not good at all, 808nm is IR which means you can't see it, and that makes it dangerous. "Hey, why doesn't it work?" *Looks in aperture* And bang, you're blind for the rest of your life. Please don't buy a 808nm laser as your first, it is tempting considering the low price, but you can get a reasonably prices 650nm (red laser) aswell, and also make sure to buy some safety goggles.

Here are some stores:
Lazerer.com
Rayfoss.com
O-like.com
Jetlasers.org
Cajunlasers.com
Mohgasm.com
http://www.survivallaser.com/

Ha well that wouldnt be good. Ill take a look at thoseljnks tomorrow as I'm on my phone now. But what's the difference between green, red, and blue lasers. And when i do find a diode, how do I determine the proper driver

irishluck said:

Ha well that wouldnt be good. Ill take a look at thoseljnks tomorrow as I'm on my phone now. But what's the difference between green, red, and blue lasers. And when i do find a diode, how do I determine the proper driver

Click to expand...

Welcome. :wave:

There's lots of reading to do. Have fun and enjoy it. Check out this thread to get you started:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/i-want-build-laser-thread-52972.html

Be sure to read all the forum stickies as well.

The only difference is that they aren't as visible to the human eye equally, ie. the 405nm (violet) lasers are less visible to the human eye then 532nm, and would therefore appear as less brighter if we put a 100mW 405nm and a 100mW 532nm next each other, but, they are equally strong and would burn just aswell. 532nm is the most visible wavelength (which you can obtain pretty cheap)

Greenies are also a lot more expensive.

For a first build, I'd recommend you going with a Mohrenberg Just Add Diode kit, it includes everything to build your own laser except for the diode. A green laser module doesn't fit (there are no green laser diodes, they are made through another process).

Oh and 445nm (the blue lasers) are multimode, which means their "dot" is rectangular, the 445nm are the most powerful diodes.

For a first laser, I'd go here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/presale-just-add-diode-kits-70799.html
And ask Mohrenberg about a host, also tell him what diode you are intending to use (405nm, 445nm, 635nm or 650nm) so he can recommend you a driver current for it
and then go here:
https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes
Pick the diode colour you wish, and then buy one of the modules w/ leads.

What you then do is connect the leads of the diode in the module to the leads that Mohrenberg has attached to the driver by soldering them, put some heatshrink around the joint and you're ready to go. All you need is a 16340 battery and a pair of safety goggles
Eagle Pair® 190-540nm Standard Laser Safety Goggles

Total would be $100 something + $50 goggles.

Relative Brightness Calculator
And just to add on ginhev123's post... here is a relative brightness calculator comparing lasers of different wavelengths. It is not 100% accurate but it gives you a pretty good feel for the magnitude of difference.

Soldering Electronics 101
Here is an awesome tutorial for understanding soldering + fluxing electronics, though you might already know this from building tesla coils.

First Build Recipe
And here is a recipe I'm using for my first build, which flucero28 helped me with:

• A DIODE from websites listed in ginhev123's post above: $9.99 to $45
  
• HOST: $11.99
  
• HEATSINK: $9.99
  
• DRIVER: $4.99
  
• AIXIZ MODULE: $3.99
  
• GLASS LENS ASSEMBLY (if using 445 diode, not necessary for red diodes): $6.99
  
• Diode Press(for pressing diodes into Aixiz module): $9.99
  
• WIRES: $2.49
  
• HEATSHRINK(for diode pin connections to prevent shorting): $1.89
  
• BATTERIES 2x 16340 for the aforementioned driver: $6.99ea (AW is the best)
  
• BATTERY CHARGER: $12.99

Save Money!

• Survival Laser discount code: LPF445
• Lighthound discount code: TJOOS
• Cajunlasers discount code: PF10

Other

• Anti-static wrist wrap
• Laser Safety Goggles (these are wavelength dependent, make sure you get one that covers your spectrum)
• Selectable test load up to 3A (assembled or DIY kit): $14 + Paypal fees

Good luck! And someone let me know if I missed something or got something wrong.

well dang, im ready to buy something now and build this.

Id really like to have that IR one i mentioned before. I may get it but wait to build anything out of it for awhile =D

Im looking on these threads you guys are posting and there great!

still doing some reading to find good combinations with though.

I think im going to go with that kit you mentioned above.

My only question I have is you said the 445 has a rectangle pattern?

Why is that? and can i not get one that is round?

How do you go about focusing the light into a smaller pattern?

irishluck said:

I think im going to go with that kit you mentioned above.

My only question I have is you said the 445 has a rectangle pattern?

Why is that? and can i not get one that is round?

How do you go about focusing the light into a smaller pattern?

Click to expand...

It has a rectangle pattern, but not so rectangular as you might think. It is only a slight rectangle. Using an Aixiz lens, you get more of a circular shape, while if you use a G-1 lens, you get more power but the dot is more rectangular.

And you focus the light by turning the focus ring at the end of the laser:

That metal ring in the front is the focus adapter that fits over the focus ring (both can be turned to focus the laser)

hm, very odd. But appreciate the info on that.

Oh, contacted Mohrenberg and will be picking up one of his kits. And I guess will be going with the 445 diode.

can this diode handle 2w if wanted?

irishluck said:

hm, very odd. But appreciate the info on that.

Oh, contacted Mohrenberg and will be picking up one of his kits. And I guess will be going with the 445 diode.

can this diode handle 2w if wanted?

Click to expand...

It can if you happen to get a high-efficiency diode and if you use a high-powered lens like the G-1 or G-2 lens. But if you pump it if above 1.5A, you diode life will be significantly shortened. I've only seen 1 diode so far that can hit 1.8W at 1.2A using a normal Aixiz lens.

I run several at 1.62A. One puts out 1.89W, one puts out 1.95W and the other puts out 2.03W, for an average of 1.96W with DTR's diode and a G2 lens.

I am getting ready to build two more with Moh's driver, this time at 1.8A with DTR's 445nm diodes and my G2 lens. These should come out in the range of 2.3W or so, I hope.

One is going into a regular C6 host from Moh and the other is going into the new Survival stainless host with the big copper heat sink and an add-on copper module.

Yes, you can get 2W at 1.62A with Moh's driver and DTR's diodes. I have heard that 1.62A leads to good diode life and that 1.8A is the outer limit.

These diodes at these powers will burn even when square shaped at 10 to 12 inches. It's literally a light sabre that you must be very careful with.

Glenn

GAtkins said:

I run several at 1.62A. One puts out 1.89W, one puts out 1.95W and the other puts out 2.03W, for an average of 1.96W with DTR's diode and a G2 lens.

I am getting ready to build two more with Moh's driver, this time at 1.8A with DTR's 445nm diodes and my G2 lens. These should come out in the range of 2.3W or so, I hope.

One is going into a regular C6 host from Moh and the other is going into the new Survival stainless host with the big copper heat sink and an add-on copper module.

Yes, you can get 2W at 1.62A with Moh's driver and DTR's diodes. I have heard that 1.62A leads to good diode life and that 1.8A is the outer limit.

These diodes at these powers will burn even when square shaped at 10 to 12 inches. It's literally a light sabre that you must be very careful with.

Glenn

Click to expand...

very nice, sounds like you've been in this game for awhile!


it be cool to build a light sabre lol

Im going to go with the 1.6a for my first build and see how it works! I cant wait honestly!

Would this be the battery and charger i would need to run in Moh's C6 host?
and how many batteris does it take to power his host?

http://www.lighthound.com/AW-IMR163...LiMN-Rechargeable-Lithium-Battery_p_2626.html
http://www.lighthound.com/Ultrafire-36-volt-or-3-volt-RCR123-Lithium-Battery-Charger_p_2270.html


EDIT:
which goggles should i get?

http://www.survivallaser.com/Eagle_...ard_Laser_Safety_Goggles/p556088_2780808.aspx
http://www.survivallaser.com/Eagle_...0nm_Laser_Safety_Goggles/p556088_4768519.aspx

By chance, would these glasses be any good for welding also? =D

~ 2W is a lot of power for a first build and I would be remiss if I did not say that you must be extremely careful with this laser, they are extremely dangerous to you and anybody in the vicinity. If you haven't already, please read this

http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/hit-eye-1000mw-445nm-blue-laser-69469.html



actually not very long, just trying to learn stuff from the vets around here.

I use these batteries, takes two

AW RCR123a Protected 750 mAh Battery

and this charger

Ultrafire WF-188 Charger for 14500 / 17500 / 18500 / 18650 / RCR123 3.7 volt Lithium Battery Charger

I actually own this pair that you referred to

Eagle Pair® 190-540nm & 800-2000nm Laser Safety Goggles

which are good for blues, violets, greens, and IR, but NOT red.

Not sure about the welding angle.

There's also a group buy on goggles going on here

http://laserpointerforums.com/f55/gb-oemlasersystems-goggles-71160.html

Glenn

irishluck said:

very nice, sounds like you've been in this game for awhile!


it be cool to build a light sabre lol

Im going to go with the 1.6a for my first build and see how it works! I cant wait honestly!

Would this be the battery and charger i would need to run in Moh's C6 host?
and how many batteris does it take to power his host?

AW IMR16340 550 mAh IMR CR123 size LiMN Rechargeable Lithium Battery
Ultrafire 3.6 volt or 3 volt RCR123 Lithium Battery Charger


EDIT:
which goggles should i get?

Eagle Pair® 190-540nm Standard Laser Safety Goggles
Eagle Pair® 190-540nm & 800-2000nm Laser Safety Goggles

By chance, would these glasses be any good for welding also? =D

Click to expand...

Would this battery work for the m140 diode and Moh c6 kit?

Dantona LITH-8 3V/1300mAh CR123A Lithium Battery : Dantona Batteries | RadioShack.com

I only ask cause its right down my street instead of ordering one.

Please advise!

GAtkins said:

~ 2W is a lot of power for a first build and I would be remiss if I did not say that you must be extremely careful with this laser, they are extremely dangerous to you and anybody in the vicinity. If you haven't already, please read this

http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/hit-eye-1000mw-445nm-blue-laser-69469.html



actually not very long, just trying to learn stuff from the vets around here.

I use these batteries, takes two

AW RCR123a Protected 750 mAh Battery

and this charger

Ultrafire WF-188 Charger for 14500 / 17500 / 18500 / 18650 / RCR123 3.7 volt Lithium Battery Charger

I actually own this pair that you referred to

Eagle Pair® 190-540nm & 800-2000nm Laser Safety Goggles

which are good for blues, violets, greens, and IR, but NOT red.

Not sure about the welding angle.

There's also a group buy on goggles going on here

http://laserpointerforums.com/f55/gb-oemlasersystems-goggles-71160.html

Glenn

Click to expand...

I'm not sure if that's enough voltage or not. The rechargables are usually 3.6 or 3.7V.

According to Moh's site the specs on the round driver are:

Input: 7.2-16V
Output: 50mA-1.8A


Anybody else?

Glenn