RC -- Thanks -- It looks soldered and I wanted to drop it out.
I may use your method with a Dremmel cutter tool on a corner.
HMike .
I'm working with Chris on this !!!
A dremel will get junk inside, just knock a slot in the top near a corner or midway down either side and pry against the rim, it will pop the bond. Near the connectors is sturdy, stay away from the fibers at the output end.
I had one where the top wasn't bonded very well and just peeled it off with my fingers, maybe yours is sealed much better, or perhaps someone already opened the one I have before I got it. The inside is grooved to where the top fits tightly into it, you can see the lip in that photo RCB posted titled "this is what's inside".
I thought they were hermetically sealed, meaning getting inside is more than likely going to be a real bastard. Have you checked Sam's laser FAQ to see if he says anything on taking them apart?
These things come in a massive brass box with a tec. There was a plug for thermal sensor and tec but I stripped it all out. These were made to work all day long.
I just knocked a slot in the top with a screwdriver and popped it open, a bit of packing tape and it still closes.
It still works. This one is a fap800-12 12w
I have some 40w but am going to get better glasses, the ones I have are eagle pair but they say 800-2000 so I don't think they are much good for 808nm, well they technically cover it but I'm not comfortable because od+5 would be the center of those numbers, so always go with safety first everyone, if you're not 100% sure your safe then error on the side of caution.
I have four of those in the big brass box with TEC, tested but never used. Probably ought to off load some of them to put into orher projects. One qustion I sm hoping you might know, how high in temperature can I operate one of the non-TEC cooled FAP's?
I don't know, I could look up the spec sheet numbers, but I wouldn't be afraid to get one up to 120 F, but I would let it cool at about that just to be safe.
The specs I saw show to keep it at 20 C., but that seems low to me, perhaps that is the recommended temp. for use as a commercial CNC controlled laser. If I can push it to 120 F., that will work for me, I don't see a way of easily keeping the thing at 20 C/70 F using the size of passive heat sink I want to use.