I'll share my red build

Here is my build and circuit schematic. Some may object to the form of the laser.

I used two pill boxes to create the case. I'm using 4 AAA batteries for power in the handle, and the current regulator is in the body. The circuit ramps the current linearly to its final value in just over 100 ms. The 470uf capacitor in parallel with the 2n2222A transistor sets the current rise ramp rate (the larger the capacitance the slower the ramp rate). The other 470uF controls the ramp rise rate slightly, but mostly provides energy storage to ramp the current down when the switch is opened (I think the current reaches zero in about 5ms). The concept of ramping the current to the laser is to reduced the thermal stress on energization and de-energization. The circuit will also ramp the current up from essentially zero due to switch bounce.

The circuit will regulate 420mA down to about 3.9-4.0 volts with a LOC red laser diode. Below this voltage, the current drops off. Select Rx so that the parallel combination of Rx and the potentiometer will give you the adjustment for the current you want [approximately 0.7 / (parallel resistance) = I reg]. Power dissipation for the 3055 is approximately Ireg x (Vsupply - Vld - 0.7).

You can use the PNP version of this circuit is you want to use a metal case and a negative ground.

Cool....nice work.

That's a very interesting build. I like how you used medicine bottles for the body.

+1 For originality and creativity.

...I. Love. This.
I LOLd at the case for ten minutes.
Great work.

+1 for awesome.

pill bottles? that's awesome!

Rob said:

That's a very interesting build. I like how you used medicine bottles for the body.

+1 For originality and creativity.

Click to expand...

I'll try to describe what I did. I used a round file to create a saddle in the bottom of the handle pill bottle. I shaped it so that it would fit the contour of the body pill bottle and give me the angle I wanted for the handle. Then I scribed the outline of where the handle will mate with the body (this is an ovalish type shape) on the body bottle. I used a pointy scribe to punch a bunch of holes through the bottles around the oval scribe on the body and around the edge of the handle. I roughed up the mating surfaces to provide a better surface for the glue to stick. I used JBWeld to glue the two parts together, and the JBWeld flowed into the punched holes to give the joint more strength.

I'm not sure if I'm going to paint it or just leave it as it is.

...and voila...we have the first generation of the future Star Trek type-II assault phaser. Pill bottles...lol...I bet Gene Roddenberry never thought of THAT!