I broke it.

So I was cleaning the lens on my old 15mW pen and pushed a little too hard.
Now the lens is rattling around inside. Does anyone have experience with taking this model apart? I'd like to glue the lens back into place. But I don't want to destroy the host to do it.

Am I out of luck?

Should have made it clear I'm talking about the WL Executive Series Classic 15mW in my signature.

zcar300 said:

So I was cleaning the lens on my old 15mW pen and pushed a little too hard.
Now the lens is rattling around inside. Does anyone have experience with taking this model apart? I'd like to glue the lens back into place. But I don't want to destroy the host to do it.

Am I out of luck?

Click to expand...

Y9u have not identified a make model. Pics are generally even more helpful.

Peace,
dave

Or is there any way I could get the schematics for this laser?

ok, Really - get us a picture of the laser, zcar. I assume you're talking about your Wicked Lasers Executive, since it's the only 15mW in your sig...

However, there were a few iterations of the Executive. Earlier ones were CNI rebrands, and later ones were closer to the Atlasnova regulated greens.

Throw us a bone and maybe we can help.

If it is the CNI based one, the "primary" lens can easily be glued back in place. The Atlasnova-like ones (plastic button vs rubber button) I'm not sure but the thin endcap should be pressure-fit.

Yes the WL Executive Series Classic 15mW. Sorry I didn't know there were different models of this specific laser.

Push down and turn on the front cap, use your full palm if you have to;

Does the laser still emit 532? It should. Is it fully not coherent now? You might have just busted the IR filter.

aryntha said:

Push down and turn on the front cap, use your full palm if you have to;

Does the laser still emit 532? It should. Is it fully not coherent now? You might have just busted the IR filter.

Click to expand...

Yeah the beam is just as good as ever.
I tried pushing down on the front and turning counter clockwise but it didn't budge.

If the beam is good as ever then what you broke was the IR filter. It's slightly more dangerous now, but not really 'broken'.

The front is likely pressure fit, then. Don't use a screwdriver:Use some rubber and a vise (DO NOT USE TOO MUCH PRESSURE) and wiggle the front cap off. You can at least clean out the IR filter and get a new one, if it's broken.

Before you try: I do not recommend pliers or screwdrivers to get a pressure fit cap off. Unfortunately with so little surface area, blocks of wood are going to be tough, too. But you need something to protect the laser while applying pressure to that cap. A thin strip of rubber wrapped around the end, and carefully just getting the top part into a vise and wiggling it until it begins to be freed should do the trick, unfortunately this kind of thing takes some finesse and I don't want to be held responsible for crushing your laser if you use too much pressure.

(If you think it's too little pressure - it's probably enough.)

You can TRY starting to wiggle it free with your thumbnail or such. Pressure fit is just a pain to get off and usually takes a few trial runs.

Ok, I'll try when I get the chance. And the nerve. lol

Don't worry I wouldn't hold anyone else accountable for my mistake.

Thank you for the advice and your patience.

Not a problem. That kind of cautiousness is healthy around lasers.

Wicked lasers always put their IR filters right on the aperture cap. If you can get it out of the laser without having to open it up, it's not a problem if you don't put it back anyway.

Well, I tried to remove the cap. It didn't budge. But I didn't make it worse either so I figure I'll be happy with what I have. Thank you for the help and patience.