Printer diodes aren't usually very high powered... I'm actually a bit surprised you could get it to burn tape. Usually people are more interested in the optics and the hexagonal mirror in printers.
I suppose if you want an IR diode to play around with it'll be useful, but I'm pretty sure the diodes in CD burners are higher powered.
You should be able to, but if it is only a dvd reader you won't get much output.... maybe 5-10mW, and it won't burn anything exept your retina. A dvd burners' diode would be better, and you could cut black tape and light matches.
You would be better off just forgetting those optics and stuff that you posted about, and go buy a dilda from DX. It would be less than $40.00 and it is already built for you.
thanks for the answer lordoflasers... im from argentine.. i cant find those things here... i dream with a aixiz moule ... some day i will buy some of those things