First Build: 9mm MS-SSW! (pic heavy)

445nm 3w 9mm MS-SSW​

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The first thing to do was to solder the wires to the v6 x-driver. This was the most nerve racking process. I watched plenty of youtube vids explaining how to tin your wires and how to make a good connection. But before I could learn how to solder I needed a soldering iron. My school had plenty of soldering irons to spare and my teacher was kind enough to let me borrow one. It's a Duratech 48W iron, nothing special.



My setup for soldering the wires to the x-drive.


X-drive with wires soldered on.


Before I set the driver in the pill I checked for electrical continuity from the tailcap to the pill by attaching a DC motor to the wires
Of course not the most elegant solution but it got the job done.


Next was to set the driver into the pill.


Once the driver was set in the pill I soldered the contact board to the positive input of the driver and sandwiched the negative input in between the pill.

The pill is screwed on and next is to press the module into the head.

9mm diode in copper module from DTR.


The press-fit design is perfectly executed in this host. The module presses in easily whilst being a tight fit without being to tight. Arctic silver 5 is used between the 9mm module and head for better heat transfer.


The 9mm diode wires are soldered to the driver wires. This part of the soldering went much smoother than the previous attempt Soldering wires together is so much easier than soldering wires to a driver board


The focusing adapter requires a focusing ring pressed in, unlike the pressfit head this was quite hard, I had to significantly sand the focusing ring down in order for it to press in.


For lenses I have a three element lens for a tight beam and a 9mm lens in a brass lens holder for power. Even with the 9mm lens, at 2.2 amps I doubt the power is 3w but it is possible.


Charging the 26650's


Power sources used


Posing with the Eagle Pair Goggles.


I ran into a few issues with the length of the battery compartment. Neither the 26650's would fit nor the 18650's since the combined length did not fit into the battery compartment. I ended up having to modify the tailcap so as to fit the batteries in.


But even after the tail-cap modification the batteries will only fit if the pill/tail-cap/head is partially unscrewed. Which is a real bummer because it mainly ruins the aesthetic appearance of it and the overall integrity suffers.

But no matter, when I saw Smeerworst ordered a custom tail-cap I PM'ed Sinner inquiring into one as well, and the process is underway :beer:

And now...

The moment of truth. Does it turn on? This was the most nerve-racking part of the whole process. Knowing that if this didn't work that I would've wasted hundreds of dollars in the process. I cannot tell you how extremely euphemistically ecstatic I was when I first saw that lovely beam shoot out



The thing that immediately came to mind was, does it burn? Duhh... Now that I had a monster burning beast the novelty of setting paper on fire quickly diminished. What I am now more interested in is the pleasure of viewing and photographing the beam :drool:

The pictures that follow are my best attempt at photographing this amazing 445nm beam. Keep in mind that I've only got a Nikon coolpix s3000 to take these shots as well as the shots above. I hope to expand my photography arsenal beyond my current compact camera in the future.

Enter the mouth of the beast


Deeper


The origin of coherent light


Dusk




Night shots








The moon gets over-exposed in this shot and the effect isn't very desirable


This shot burnt a mark in the tree gotta remember to de-focus the laser before taking the photo



Finally I would like to thank everyone in this amazing community for their support and inspiration to complete this build :beer: I would also especially like to thank Jordan/DTR for providing me with the 9mm diode and his invaluable advice, to Angelos/Lazeerer for patiently answering my endless questions and providing me with the famous x-drive :beer: To Geff/Flaminpyro for providing me with the awesome wire kit and to Sinner for being the creator and provider for the amazing MS-SSW

As this is my first build thread I welcome any and all suggestions to improve upon the content and layout. I have tried to emulate other members talents in the art of photography and presentation as best as I could, but one can always improve

:thanks: to all for reading and hope you enjoyed.


Update 31/5/14

A few days ago I received a package from Sinner

Amongst the myriad of bubble wrap contained a custom made tailcap for the MS-SSW to accommodate longer protected cells

Thank you so much Sinner The brass tailcap clicky is so ***y
pics! :drool:









The only thing I could complain about is that the clicky wobbles a bit and the finish has machining residue in various places. Not sure what else to call it but I'm sure it'll come off with a bit of mothers mag and aluminium polish :eg:

Again, Thank you so much Sinner. You have outdone yourself once again :beer:

Keep that one on the top shelf.:drool:

Great first build Will. :beer: I agree, the "MS-SSW" is an amazing looking host. I've got its little brother, the "stubby" version.
Sorry to see you had trouble with the battery fit, hopefully the new tailcap will solve all your fit problems.
Good looking outdoor beamshots! I like those dusk shots.

+1 Hopefully the first build of many!

@Jander. It's definitely a keeper :eg:

@BowtieGuy. Thanks man :beer: Sinner has Pm'ed me and the tailcap shouldn't take to long. Definitely the first of build of many.
Your stubby build inspired me to get a move on with my 638nm build

It's a very attractive package. Your hard work has paid off. Cheers! :beer:

1st build in big style! Well introduced process-and-picture-wise, Will. I'm sure all the members you've mentioned and who've helped you through are proud to see another successful laser achievement:beer:.

Congrats again and :gj: on the 3W blue creature!

@Millirad. It's definitely a hefty and ***y package :eg:

Thanks Gismo :beer: I hope Sinner and the respective members who have helped me through this process deem this thread a worthy representation of their services and hard work

I waited for this build to show up so many times during the past months while you were keeping me updated about the progress, I am definitely impressed by your work and amazing photographs.

First builds are usually the hardest, but finally I am able to see why you waited this long just to get it right. That's really something to congratulate you for. :friend:

:gj:

P.S: Some of the times members donot document their building process , I must request to always take pictures and share your build methods afterall this hobby thrives on the work done by the enthusiast community and sharing is caring.

Thanks Sinner :beer: It couldn't have been done without your help and support :tinfoil:

Documenting and photographing the build process is one of the best parts

Great build ! Thanks for documenting it and sharing it. I thought the pics were great and I really liked how you used the safety goggles as a "kickstand" for taking pics of the host.
Hope you don't mind if I steal that idea :beer: I'm getting ready to start a build using the same host. Hope mine turns out as good as yours ! I'll be a happy camper if it does !
REP +1 :beer:

Thanks IWIRE :beer: glad you liked it, I especially liked your 405nm build thread.

I'll be eagerly awaiting your take on the MS-SSW, good luck man

Double post

A few days ago I received a package from Sinner

Amongst the myriad of bubble wrap contained a custom made tailcap for the MS-SSW to accommodate longer protected cells

Thank you so much Sinner The brass tailcap clicky is so ***y
pics! :drool:






The only thing I could complain about is that the clicky wobbles a bit and the finish has machining residue in various places. Not sure what else to call it but I'm sure it'll come off with a bit of mothers mag and aluminium polish :eg:

Again, Thank you so much Sinner. You have outdone yourself once again :beer:

I use his host habitually, too.
His host is very splendid.

That's great. The SSW I just bought came with the new tailpiece, and it was a non issue! Batts fit fine, and it was all plug, and play on that end! Good job Sinner!

Im just glad that its fitting perfectly to the older version too ,

@toutan and @wmacky: Thank you guys.

I try to take all the suggestions and implement them on to the next batch, That is the reason (Wmacky) your MS-SSW III was plug and play. Thanks again for everyones input.