First laser assembly problems

Glad you asked questions before giving up. You should take a look at the 4 threads in my signature to get some ideas a out how to build stuff on the cheap. Fasttech has some great deals on way over spec modules that are very inexpensive. Don't know what you paid for your supposedly 200mW modules but I bet Fasttechs $5 ones are better. Seriously read through those links as it seems like you would get a lot out of them and then let me know if you want to know what to buy from them (I've purchased hundreds of them). It just doesn't take big money to have fun and over spec 532nm are always impressive and those cheap 3 color pen sets are fantastic if you make them focus able like my tutorial shows.

Yeah it turns out that my module either isn't very strong, or three AA batteries isn't enough for it. But it is working, I get a steady green dot and I have it closed up in its case. I will upload some pictures of the finished project.

Even though this was my very first attempt at building a laser anything, and I ended up with a fancy pointer and not a burning laser, I have now done it and I can continue future builds with bigger parts and confidently know that I wont screw it up right out of the gate. I will definitely be checking links and being a member of the forum, because this stuff is sweet.

Thanks again for all of the help, everyone.