EXCELLENT DIODE PRESS TOOL if you can make your own attachment for it

I was browsing through DX and saw this. It would be easy for any machinist to make the attachment for a laser diode.

DealExtreme: $22.00 Metal Watch Case Press Tool with 12 Dies

You need to check how much space you have between the base and the pressing pin, before ..... being a watch press, i don't know if there's enough space for place an aixiz module, and the pressing tool, in that space (and the page don't say what is the maximum aperture)

Just think about that $22 plus the machinist adaptation maybe another $15. There are much better & precise tools here yet, and cheaper that. For example the machined flaminpyro's press/unpress tools. Remember this man is also a lasersist and made this tools for himself. But seen how well it works people started to ask him for them.

IMHO fp's tools are much better/cheaper than this proposal.

I've made diode pressers and removers from split/roll pins of various sizes & lengths. I kept my 5.6mm diode I killed from not discharging the capacitor ...a duh moment....took it on a trip to the hardware store with micrometers, Aixiz and a module from Modwerx and out came the Dremel tool & drill.
You won't bend them in a vice! I don't remember life before a Dremel...............

Why not use a regular vise and avoid screwing your diode experimenting with modifications?

I use what I described in a vice. The split pin can push a diode out around the lens housing with the driver attached in most instances(in the event you just want to swap and not ruin it) even if its ran with wires and not damage the diode. The wires just drop out the split. Easy to see hold and push straight even in a small vice.
Never lost a diode using this method and you can easily make it flush or counter sink for the Blu's. All for abt $5.(If you own a Dremel)

The watch press looks pretty neat, but unless I already had one and couldn't make my own...I'd get one of the nicely machined units from one of the members here for $15 especially made to do it.

I haven't seen any of the members' press tools yet. I just saw that watch press and thaught it looked like it could be a mini arbor press for laser diodes.

I usually just use spent .22 or .17 casings myself. I haven't made enough lasers to make spending even $22 on a tool worthwhile. I've only made like 10 lasers or so.

I just built one when i needed one (i know it's ugly, but hey, i don't have machines ..... i just placed a piece of brass rod in a drill, and used a hand file til i got the right shape and size ..... )

I used pseudolobster's method. Works like a charm! I used pliers called Tongue-and-Groove, it's not as good as a vise because the pressure from the pliers is not parallel. What you do is press it a little bit at a time and rotate, repeat about 2-3 times

That should work just fine with my "innie" diode press, the one with the
through hole, guess I'll have to start making all of them with a through hole
Good find +1 for you bud for helping the members to have an easer go
of it and safer for the diode than what some are using
I my self use a large 12" set of chanel lock type plyers with wide jaws with my diode press and they
have plenty of leverage to set the diode properly
they are IRWIN brand and I got them at a SEARS store.

lordoflasers said:

I was browsing through DX and saw this. It would be easy for any machinist to make the attachment for a laser diode.

DealExtreme: $22.00 Metal Watch Case Press Tool with 12 Dies

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