Advice on first build

Tools are an investment though, not an expense. heh. If your only wanting one or two lasers, it's probably cheaper to buy them.. however if you get 'hooked', doing builds yourself can save considerable money in the long run.

That is very true. I'm sure the feeling of accomplishment from making a laser yourself justifies any initial investment. Now just isn't a very good time for me to do that. I think I will be satisfied with buying lasers for now, but I'm sure I'll build some one day.

Anyway, I just bought a small laser from o-like, and I'll probably do an amateur review of that once I get it.

We look forward to it. op:

M