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I tried the tutorials, but..

Kiloku

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But I couldn't find out what I need to build my first laser. No matter it's power, color, or whatever. I just want to know what I'd have to buy, and how to assemble it. :thanks:
(I know I'm being a noob, don't flame me please.)
 





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First you need to know your budget, and what color you like before buying anything.
 
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I'm in the same boat as kiloku, i've gone through the stickies and it's all so overwhelming. though i know what colour laser i wish to build (blu-ray) I just don't know what I need to create it. I looked at jayrobs housing and that's as far as i got before I started to get confused by the mass of information available.
 
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It is overwhelming! The amount of info. on this board is amazing.
I read for at least 300 hours before I even thought about building my own.
Don't get in a hurry to build one. Buy a color you think you would like and try it out first.(keep watches on e-bay, I have bought green and Blu-ray's for 1 cent)
Sure, they are crap, but it gives you a starting point. And all of the 1 cent ones are still working after many hours of use.
When you discover what you like, or don't like about a color, start studying up on the type you want. It will all fall into place. PM some of the people who sell build parts (on the B/S/T or Pro-Shop sections) and ask them " I want to built an XXX laser with XXX power, what do I need to do this?"
Then buy the parts for a high quality laser, that with proper care, will last for years.
There's no better feeling ,then telling someone who is admiring your laser, "I built this laser from scratch, with custom made parts. There is not another one like it in the world".
 

Kiloku

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I think I really like the red ones, but I can't find the 16x diodes anywhere. I have a soon-to-be retired 8x DVD writer here, can I use it?
 
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I think I really like the red ones, but I can't find the 16x diodes anywhere. I have a soon-to-be retired 8x DVD writer here, can I use it?

Buy an LPC sled for around $10 and dont waste your time with that old DVD burner.
 
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I just bought a xbox hd-dvd sled for ten bucks on ebay... thats going to be my first laser :p
 

Asherz

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Check out Modwerx Home and also StoneTek Electronics is also a good shop, but the owner is currently ill and just out of hospital so I recommend waiting if you want to order from Stonetek.

Read the stickies and soon you will get the hang off everything, as a few little starter words and descriptions:

DDL driver: a custom made simple driver for a few $ but requires 7.2V minimum input

rckstr driver: Same as DDL driver except ALOT smaller

flex drive: Similar too drivers above except smaller and only needs 3V input for lasers

Aixiz module: holds diode and allows focusing

some diodes: PHR-803T, GGW, SWF, BDR-203, LPC,

helpful reccomended chinese sites for good quality green modules and lasers:

Rayfoss.com and o-like.com

hope that little bit of info helps out :)
 
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Hi, I'm also in the same boat as the OP. I wanted to build a burning laser for fun, and one that's not too expensive, but I'm finding a hard time getting everything I need. There is a lot of information, yes, but its all scattered. :(

I have no previous experience at all with laser building. Is it possible to build a decent burning laser with a budget of around $30?

Thanks in advance for any help! :)
 
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Any decent build is going to cost you around $50. You can use an Altoids can, diode, and batteries, but it wont last long. You need a driver, and heat sink to make it last. And you cant build a Blu-Ray without a driver.
 
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Any decent build is going to cost you around $50. You can use an Altoids can, diode, and batteries, but it wont last long. You need a driver, and heat sink to make it last. And you cant build a Blu-Ray without a driver.

Alright, that's understandable I guess. With that $50 though, is it possible to make a blu-ray build? Or is that a lot more expensive?

Also, would you be able to recommend some starter drivers/heatsinks/casings?

Thanks for the help!
 
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