Couple of host questions from a n00b..

Heya all,
Been doing a lot of reading before I embark on my first few builds and have a couple Q's on the host. I have some different drivers (Fusion and RCKSTR), and am completely confident in building the circuit correctly and my soldering ability, so no redundant electrical questions =D - now its onto the host

Is a heatsink required for lower mw operating? I fully understand the need for them when overdriving the diode, but for a smallish red or BR laser (under 50mw) will the module itself suffice as a heatsink?

Is there any reason I can't use a wooden host? I know it sounds funny, but I have a lathe and some nice pieces of hardwoods (Ebony, Zebrawood, Cocobolo, Paduak, etc etc) and they are beautiful. Would make a really classy looking host. What do you think about a hardwood as a heatsink(with plenty of thermal compound)/host? I figured since it will be relatively short runtimes (under ~1 min) it might work and I am WAY better at finishing wood than metal..

Last question - Anyone ever used a cordless electric hair trimmer for the power source/host? The battery inside is 5v 800mah (Not a cr2 or 123 or anything tho, a square type of battery like a cellphone/cordless phone). But it would seem that the battery, switch and charging circuit could be used, just disconnect the motor on top, attach to my laser driver and fabricate a mount for the module. It'd have built in charging and overcharge protection (with LED's!), fits the hand great and actually looks kinda cool. The voltage may not be enough for the driver is my only thought...

Anyways, thanks for any input you guys have. Look forward to showing ya'll some finished units someday!

Tokudai

As heat is a major enemy of laser diodes, there has to be some way for the diode to shed heat. The aixiz housing is of sufficient size to handle short run times at low power. You could use a senkat or open can diode running in the middle of its operating range and it wouldn't heat up too quickly at all in the aixiz housing. However, wood is a good insulator. If we bury the aixiz housing inside a nice wooden pointer body, any heat generated will not have a way out. Maybe run your diode just above threshold and it should be OK. I think that a wooden host would be quite something. Please post photos when you complete your build.

The cordless trimmer sounds like a good plan. 5v should be enough for a red, after all, a red can be run from a single lithium cell. You could power an open can from that battery in there. What an interesting host.

Bill.

I was going to say, check out the general section for a low-profile heatsink made for motors that shoudl fit the aixiz, it may give enough clearance for some kind of airflow and still be a pointer.