Light Saber Illumination - Help Diverge

UPDATE : http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/custom-lightsaber-laser-saber-video-95355.html#post1384839



I am in the process of finishing up my Lightsaber blade.
The issue I am trying to solve is the divergence/focus point.
I currently have a 3-element lens in a pl515 diode at 5mw.
I am illuminating a hollow poly-C tube with 3 wraps of diffusion sheeting in it with a reflective tip.
About 4-6 inches from the diode is the focus point. The "blade" is too dark in this spot (see attachment picture). If I unscrew the lens almost all the way it is still and issue. If I screw the lens in all the way it is still and issue. The only thing that solves it is removing the lens altogether. I am not in favor of this. I don't want to ruin the diode. Also without a lens the tip of the blade is not as bright.

So I have a 2 part question:
Would a cheap magnifying glass out of a eyeglass repair kit expand the beam with the lens still on it and resolve the focal point issue?
I would basically have the plastic magnifying glass sitting on or very near (1/4") away form the 3-element lens.
I do also have an acryllic lens but I really don't want to be taking the lenses out all the time. I just want to be able to change the focus (or not if the magnifying glass works), and add my blade.

Is there a better lens option?
Basically I want really really bad divergence.

Trendkilla254 said:

Basically I want really really bad divergence.

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Remove the lens entirely. This won't provide an even illumination along the "blade", however.

Cyparagon said:

Remove the lens entirely. This won't provide an even illumination along the "blade", however.

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Right, I tried that. Kinda afraid to get something on the diode window. Also it isn't terribly bright at the tip. And I don't want to take the lens out every time I want to attach the saber attachment. I don't want to lose the spring also.

Get a bigger aspheric lens for a bigger collimated beam.

They have lightsaber blades that diffuse the light. Makes for a more even distribution and blending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEqKBuDiJ9c

VisibleGreen said:

They have lightsaber blades that diffuse the light. Makes for a more even distribution and blending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEqKBuDiJ9c

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I am making my own from The Custom Saber Shop. It's basically the same thing. I just got the clear tube instead of the white tube. I also only got 3 wraps of diffusion sheeting.

I cut the tube down to 36" instead of 40" and with no lens it's doing pretty good now. I'll post video later.

Trendkilla254 said:

I am making my own from The Custom Saber Shop. It's basically the same thing. I just got the clear tube instead of the white tube. I also only got 3 wraps of diffusion sheeting.

I cut the tube down to 36" instead of 40" and with no lens it's doing pretty good now. I'll post video later.

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I've been wanting to make a lightsaber for awhile but I'm a bit embarrassed about it. I feel like I'm not allowed to at my age. I think I worry too much about stuff like that.

I cant wait to see the video. I have some parts ordered to do the same thing and I have a lightsabre from the early 80's (yes I am that old) with a poly tube blade. I started a thread http://laserpointerforums.com/f45/532nm-thick-beam-laser-95298.html but never got any replies to my questions. I was going to use a thick beam 532nm stage laser but cant find anyone that have used it. I will just have to learn from your project.

VisibleGreen said:

I've been wanting to make a lightsaber for awhile but I'm a bit embarrassed about it. I feel like I'm not allowed to at my age. I think I worry too much about stuff like that.

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I really want to know how did we, as a civilization, ever agreed that "outgrowing" things is anything other than a horrible thing? It's accepted as not only good, but even preferable and expected.

Since when is "I now like less things than I did a while ago" a badge of pride, instead of shame like it's supposed to?

Ugh deleted my post by accident on mobile...

Anyway it was long. The jist was I don't give an eff when others judge my hobbies like I M too old for that. It makes ME happy, eff the people that wanna be negative.

Eudaimonium said:

I really want to know how did we, as a civilization, ever agreed that "outgrowing" things is anything other than a horrible thing? It's accepted as not only good, but even preferable and expected.

Since when is "I now like less things than I did a while ago" a badge of pride, instead of shame like it's supposed to?

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Since always. Throughout history man has insulted his fellow man for not "growing up" so it rings in the back of your head due to being exposed to this line of thinking your entire life.
I totally agree with you but that voice is still ringing in the back of my head and I personally have a hard time quieting it.

VisibleGreen said:

Since always. Throughout history man has insulted his fellow man for not "growing up" so it rings in the back of your head due to being exposed to this line of thinking your entire life.
I totally agree with you but that voice is still ringing in the back of my head and I personally have a hard time quieting it.

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The only voice in the back of my head is "F*ck those people, let's swing a lightsaber, plastic gun, or pretend we're a badly animated Assassin's creed character in AC Hoodie while walking through college".

That last one is on the TO DO list. I'm thinking of getting an Assassin's jacket for my birthday, and then I'll do that "wave arm through air" gesture that the in-game character does when you hit "gentle push" button in the game and I'll walk around like that all day around the university.

I've no doubt you are going to see it in Youtube or such.

But I digress.

Back on topic,

Trendkilla, suppose you solve the lighting problem - what's the rest of the construction going to be like? I believe I glimpsed a kit or two around the internet, based on an already programmed tiny CPU with a Gyro sensor, built to produce lightsaber sound effects out of the box. You plan on incorporating anything like that?

Also, the On/Off system, just a switch or did you plan on something more?

And finally, what do you expect from the robustness? Could you have a sparring match with it?

I don't think I ever really considered a project like that. But I am considering showing up to my kenjutsu training with a lightsaber instead of a bokken. (Again, that tiny voice, "F*ck those people" )

More pic and info

Pman said:

More pic and info

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UPDATE: http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/custom-lightsaber-laser-saber-video-95355.html#post1384839