My first build. :D

After numerous visits to this forum and enjoying some lesser powered lasers I decided to go ahead and build my first laser.

I wanted to go fairly small for the host so I went with this > Ultrafire Flashlight Aluminum Alloy Casing/Shell/Housing with Strap - Black - Free Shipping - DealExtreme Deal Extreme apparently has the slow boat from China thing going on but they arrived in decent shape.

Since I was going with that for the host I looked on here to see where to get a proper heatsink and ended up with this > 501B Heatsink Thanks for that go to Thejoker301 because these heatsinks are excellent.

I've never been good at soldering so I decided to buy a full module with everything already assembled which of course meant going to DTR. And I went with this > https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/9mm-445nm I decided on 445nm even though I already have a Wicked Lasers Arctic Spyder III mainly due to the power output to price ratio.

I may want to move this module to a larger host at some point because it does get pretty warm fairly quickly when running on two 16340s, as well as the short battery life with those. Although when running on a single 18650 it stays cool and still seems to have a better output than my Arctic.

Overall I'd say I'm very happy with my first build. I know some people will say I should have done it from scratch but like I said I suck at soldering.

Nothing wrong with a 9mm pre-wired quicky. Nice!

Tmack said:

Nothing wrong with a 9mm pre-wired quicky. Nice!

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Thanks. The only problem I am having with this build is that I would like it if the lens threads were a tiny bit tighter. But then if they were it would just end up getting stuck and I'd just be unscrewing the head of the lens holder instead of adjusting the focus.

Just use a bit of Teflon tape. Add a layer until its perfect. And tighter the lens holder fairly tight so when you focus , it won't unthread from the Teflon.

Teflon frays and can wear out pretty quick, IMO, use a spring, much much better with no risk. Nice build BTW.

I have a couple of lasers that the spring doesn't apply enough pressure. But duke is right. If you can use a spring effectively then go for it. But Teflon has served me well. As long as you wrap with the threads and wrap it tight I haven't had and fraying yet. But good call on the spring duke , forgot all about the little buggers.

I have two lasers now using the external springs and they work great, they are better than the internal ones, the lens stays focused just fine. You can get them from Survival Laser either one at a time or a five pack here: Accessories

Alan

If you go the teflon route, go easy on it. You don't want any getting in front of the diode.