Laser Focusing Springs

Tech_Junkie said:

I understand Tom. But why not just post the links, and let people help in finding what works? Then everyone can just grab what they want/need when someone finds what works best?

Or if you want to pioneer the search just buy them yourself. See what works, and pass on the info. People do it all the time with lasers, and other related items worth 10 times what these costs.

You're really over complicating it. We do this stuff all the time.

If you can wait a week, I'll buy a batch to help out. Someone else can grab another batch, ect.

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I ordered the small batch of each of the three there. So don't waste your money testing them. I'll report back if they work. I expect them to, but I'd hate to see anyone waste money if I am wrong.

I think we have a misunderstanding on the rest. This actually developed in the Group Buy section for AnthoT's modules. RHD pointed out that we were all getting a bunch of modules with no springs and suggested we also needed to find a source for focus springs.

At that point I did some looking and after digging around on several "spring" sites, found these on EBay.

So I figured rather than keep cluttering AnthoT's GB thread with springs, I would just post the info here.

The points of my post were:

A. To offer good measurements of the springs we need;
B. Report what looks to be some promising options at great prices and provide links to them;
C. Come back when they get here and report whether they worked.

At that point you can do whatever you want with that info. I know some folks will use it to buy them and others will have enough Aixiz and others will use Teflon.

:beer:

After that, this is a thread with

There is no misunderstanding. I know exactly what you wanted to do.

My point only being you over complicated it. Which is fine. I was trying to let you know how things like this is done. Its really simple, but I forget sometimes you have not been here that long.

As a forum we've had "pitched" in loads of time to find sources of good supplies.

Or someone will take the plunge on their own, and give feedback.

Your OP was an educated outline of the whole process. Which is fine also. I'm just saying there are easier ways, and you really didnt have to get so elaborate.

If it was me, I would have just bought some, tested them, and threw up a quick sales page for anyone who needed them. People are not dumb here. We will know what you are doing. You dont have to write a syllabus just for some springs, LOL.

Tech_Junkie said:

If it was me, I would have just bought some, tested them, and threw up a quick sales page for anyone who needed them. People are not dumb here. We will know what you are doing. You dont have to write a syllabus just for some springs, LOL.

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My bad...

I just thought it might be useful to someone to have the measurements compiled into one spot at a later date. That way they wouldn't have to re-measure everything if more springs were needed in the future and that eBay seller wasn't around anymore.

:thanks:

UPDATE

I have received all of these springs and have tested the internal springs.

The internal springs are VERY GOOD with one caveat... They have to be cut to work with a G-1 lens. I don't know if the G-2 sits any higher - but even though the specs have this spring solid at a lower height, the thicker coils don't "mush up together" like the OEM Aixiz springs.

They work great with the standard acrylic and glass aixiz lenses.

Best of all, they are stiff - but not too stiff. If you hated the slop of the OEM Aixiz springs then you will love these.

I've put them in all my lasers, even though I had to cut some down for my builds with G-1 lenses. It is worth it.

I will get to the outer springs later, but at first glance I think they agree going to be too SOFT to be useful. I'll get back on that.

Good stuff! I'm buying 50.

Wolfman29 said:

Good stuff! I'm buying 50.

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Check with Yobresal he just got some too. I do have to cut the internals to use them with the G lenses. I like them though... The externals are coil-binding for me with a G lens, so they aren't recommended.

Go away sig spammer!

pradeepneir said:

I had gone through the post. The laser focusing Springs as discussed in the post are one of the best and offer-able ones. The features that enhances the lenses used and the acids for the making is really nice. My friend had ordered them recently and he will getting them with in two days. Please produce some more attachments regarding the topic.

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Anybody care to sell 25 springs to me ? The Ebay seller ships only in US.

I will suggest not using and internal spring with a G-1/2 as I had a bad experience with one way back when I first started out with one of Jay's G-1's and the internal spring bound up and scratched my lens.:cryyy:

Blord said:

Anybody care to sell 25 springs to me ? The Ebay seller ships only in US.

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You have a PM!

DTR said:

I will suggest not using and internal spring with a G-1/2 as I had a bad experience with one way back when I first started out with one of Jay's G-1's and the internal spring bound up and scratched my lens.:cryyy:

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Thanks for the advice. I will cut it smaller.
I got the 25 springs. Tsteele93 is sending them to me. :wave:

DTR said:

I will suggest not using and internal spring with a G-1/2 as I had a bad experience with one way back when I first started out with one of Jay's G-1's and the internal spring bound up and scratched my lens.:cryyy:

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If there is anyone I trust to have knowledge of modules and lenses and springs it would be Jordan. So I would recommend considering his advice!

One thing that might help is when choosing which side to cut, leave the cut side facing down towards the module. That way you have the smoother machined side facing the lens.

I would definitely say that we are still looking for a better answer to the spring issue. These work for 3 element and acrylic but they are not ideal for the G-series lenses. They can be used if you are careful in cutting them down and how you install them, but they aren't an OEM solution.

We may have to special order something...

UPDATE: I have played with these some more and I had not tried them on a red laser. Tonight I tried the internal springs below on a 635nm and a 660nm with Jayrob's 650G-1 lens and they work great - I guess the red lens does not have to sit as low. I ALSO tried messing with my new 445nm build and got it to work without cutting too. It took some jiggering around with the spring near the bottom, but I was able to get to full focus and just past WITHOUT cutting the spring. I do not currently have a 405 working to test, but this spring is looking better and better. Hopefully some of the other members who have purchased it will report back on their experience as well!

I have added this to the OP as well.

So, I am starting to think that these will work pretty well with any lens and diode combination. For 445nm, it is VERY CLOSE to coil bind, but in some cases at least, it will work.

The more I think about it, the more I am thinking right now that my initial blue test was on a 450 single mode and maybe it is possible that the 450 focuses differently or farther down, OR maybe that build didn't have the diode pressed all the way in? I'm not sure of any of those things.

I can say for sure that tonight I was able to get two 660nm builds, one 645nm build and a 445nm build to focus all the way to pinpoint and past with the internal spring below and the G-series lenses from Jayrob.


Inner Springs

50 count, .300 o.d. x .400 long chrome springs $13.95

500 count, .300 o.d. x .400 long chrome springs $60.00


I do not have any of DTR's G lenses yet, strictly by random chance - I've ordered a ton of diodes from him, go figure. So I cannot test them.

Jordan and Jayrob, or anyone selling modules, may want to get some of these for your stock.

The G lens need to be very recessed to be in focus. Leaving almost no room for a thicker spring. I think the springs must be cut for a perfect fit. Cutting it is no problem for me.

Just try it without cutting first. I was surprised tonight that I was able to get it to work. Only thing that I can figure is that I tried it out on the 450nm single mode and assumed it would be the same on all the G-lenses.

I'm having NO problems with reds, and I am able to get the 445nm to focus - just barely - if I mess with it a little as it is focusing down. Then I just leave it near focus and it moves nicely in that range.

I just packaged your springs up, along with some of the externals to play with as well so I look forward to your evaluations!

Something I wonder is if it's even physically possible for a external spring to work with the G-lenses. I'm looking at the space between the metal knob & heatsink when the G-lens is focused to infinity, and honestly, it's almost flush, probably 1.0-1.5mm space there.

Can a spring even compress to 1mm solid height and still be firm enough for our uses? I highly doubt eh.

Anyway, TS just an update that yesterday I asked for the quote for some compression springs with the dimensions you've given us. They said they might need more info like spring rate but I have no clue how to calculate that. But I'll let you know when I get a reply