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My 200mw Red Laser wont burn... Please Help!

T

Timatron

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I got a 200mw red laser for Christmas, on the label it says "650nm Red Light 200mw". I looked all over the internet and this thing should light a match and pop a balloon, let alone burn electrical tape yet it does none of those. All I can get it to do is burn some tiny extremely thin pieces from a black garbage back and as far as I can see from videos online and descriptions it should do more then that. I really don't know that much about lasers but I think there may be some sort of IR filter glued onto the top of the diode? I just want it to work, any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
-Tim
 





diachi

diachi

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There wont be an IR filter on that diode, or if there is, the manufacturer doesn't no squat ;D I think what your talking about is the diode window.

Is your laser focusable ? If you focus it to a tiny spot that helps burning.

Have you got new batteries in your laser, if the batteries are old and dud it might be under power.

-Adam
 
daguin

daguin

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Can you post a picture of the laser or a link tell us about a website (you cannot post links yet) where we could see the laser. As Diachi said, it simply sounds like you aren't focusing the laser.

Also, at 200mW you should have laser goggles. Not only will they protect your eyes, but they will allow you to see the dot so you can get it focused where you want it to be.

Peace,
dave
 
Mohrenberg

Mohrenberg

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like dave said some pictures along with where you bought it would be a great help.
also, you can try changing the batteries..
and if your laser if not focusable i assume it is focused to "infinity" which is for long distance shining (bad for burning)

also, your prob not going to be able to pop balloons from the across the room or anything (depending on their color), keep in mind that this is light, lighter colors reflect, darker colors absorb, so the darker the material the easier it burns.

but yeah...some pictures and the website would help alot.
 
T

Timatron

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Hmm, it wont let me upload any pictures so I made a website to upload them to, here's the link:
picturesforlaser .tk
Don't put any spaces. I hope this helps.

Oh and the laser isn't adjustable but still, 200mW should pop a balloon from a short distance right? Thanks for all the help!

-Tim
 
maxkillz

maxkillz

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looks like a skylasers red non adjustable forcus. with diode lasers like that if it's set to infinity then it won't burn well of even in some cases at all. try burning something by shining the laser through a magnifying glass.
 
T

Timatron

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I just tried again, I replaced the batteries and then tried it through a magnifying glass and nothing more then it did before...

-Tim
 
T

Timatron

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The person that gave it to me is going to look for the link of where he got it from, as soon as i get it I will post it.

-Tim
 
Xplorer877

Xplorer877

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Well even without a magnifying glass you should be able burn quite well if it truly is 200mW. From the pic it doesn't look like 200mW, maybe 100mW. Try some lithium batteries.
 
daguin

daguin

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Xplorer877 said:
Well even without a magnifying glass you should be able burn quite well if it truly is 200mW. From the pic it doesn't look like 200mW, maybe 100mW. Try some lithium batteries.
Click to expand...


Yeah. It is a Skylasers red. I have one of these. It is NOT focusable. Also, you will notice that nowhere does it say that it IS 200mW. It says <=200mW. Mine does about 150mW with new batteries. So less than 200mW of unfocused light won't burn much more than your retinas.

If you want to burn stuff, get a magnifying glass. Even 150mW focused will burn stuff. Also remember, with a red laser, you will only be able to burn dark colored stuff.

Peace,
dave
 
T

Timatron

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Thanks for all the help, if I put the laser on my hand shouldn't I feel at least a little bit of heat? I don't feel anything, not even a small warmth, and if this is a bust and I'm not able to get a burning laser I would be interested in buying another, possibly a green focusable laser. If anybody has one that they would want to recommend it would be really great. Also I need the seller to be able to ship to the US.

-Tim
 
Xplorer877

Xplorer877

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Timatron said:
Thanks for all the help, if I put the laser on my hand shouldn't I feel at least a little bit of heat? I don't feel anything, not even a small warmth, and if this is a bust and I'm not able to get a burning laser I would be interested in buying another, possibly a green focusable laser. If anybody has one that they would want to recommend it would be really great. Also I need the seller to be able to ship to the US.

-Tim
Click to expand...

Again it comes down to focusing it.

If you want a sweet green laser check this out!
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1229767502
The beam diameter is small enough such that you don't have to focus it to burn stuff. Plus they are in the US!!! No worries about customs!!!

Their ordering page is down right now for some reason.

-Tony
 
daguin

daguin

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Timatron said:
Thanks for all the help, if I put the laser on my hand shouldn't I feel at least a little bit of heat? I don't feel anything, not even a small warmth, and if this is a bust and I'm not able to get a burning laser I would be interested in buying another, possibly a green focusable laser. If anybody has one that they would want to recommend it would be really great. Also I need the seller to be able to ship to the US.

-Tim
Click to expand...

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1230510189 ;)

Also, look in the Buy/Sell/Trade board here.  Jayrob puts out some hefty burning lasers.  There are others besides myself and Jayrob.  For a "burner" you really don't want a pen-style pointer.  You need some substantial heat sinking for a more powerful laser.  Even our "little" hand helds have more heat sinking than a pen-style pointer.

Peace,
dave

**EDIT** RE: shining it on your skin. If you are light skinned, the red light passes partially through the skin and dissipates in the deeper levels. You may not be able to get much of a sting from a red laser. Try a violet laser [smiley=evil.gif]
 
T

Timatron

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What would you recommend for something small that can burn little things like match's and balloons with ease? I don't want anything too expensive, I would spend around $100, maybe a little bit higher. Thanks for all your guys help!

-Tim
 
D

DayOfShadows

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Ya mario makes some nice lasers, im getting a BR and Red set for 251 that has a charger and 4 CR2's i belive and 1 charger that charges 2 at a time so i can have them all the time [smiley=evil.gif] [smiley=engel017.gif] i think he will sell just the red laser, focusable, for around 110.
 
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