FREE DIY open source BOOST driver!!! Tested & working!!

I see where you are coming from, but I just cant condone buying a driver for $16 when the parts cost around $6.

Machinist Joe said:

I see where you are coming from, but I just cant condone buying a driver for $16 when the parts cost around $6.

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well there is always the option of doing it yourself and saving the money

Waiting on parts.

foulmist said:

well there is always the option of doing it yourself and saving the money

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Machinist Joe said:

Waiting on parts.

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That's the spirit ! ^_^ :beer:

The only things I have to make sure I put in the right way is the shottky and the mosfet yes? The LM340 is a given and so is the inductor. All the caps are not polarized too right?

Oh, and I'm only using R6 R9

I got the DIY kit of the Ben Boost drivers and it was a real PITA to solder the small components. It is doable but with a lot of patience. Sometimes the solder blob was too big and solder all the legs of the ic together.

I was just like the guy in foulmist avatar.

Bah If I was selling these and I'm not I'd be at leist that price. 16$ is a good deal. concidering you other options are about 30$ If you want them for cost you could make them yourself. between shipping and labour etc it all adds up.

Blord said:

I was just like the guy in foulmist avatar.

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lol that's me actually

Machinist Joe said:

I see where you are coming from, but I just cant condone buying a driver for $16 when the parts cost around $6.

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I wouldn't be anything then supportive to any laser shop these days... they are dropping like flies. Unless they were blantent rip offs of course.:beer:

^ Agree.

hey wolfman when we getting a pot.

Machinist Joe said:

Sorry but I find nothing on that site as a good deal. Looks like to me he just buys stuff available other places and marks them up a good amount.

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I bought my first laser from Clif (50mW green in my sig) and paid a markup over what it would have cost from o-like - but it arrived FAST and everything I have ever ordered since has been spot on. I highly recommend his shop to anyone.

The problem as I see it, is even though there are cheaper options if you are DIY inclined, is that by ordering from Clif, it arrives ready to go and you are saved the work and hassles.

I'm sure if you wanted 20 drivers, you cold email him and work a deal. But one at a time, keeping up with low margin, low sales items is a headache. It isn't worth doing without a decent profit.

If you catch someone like cilegray doing a batch of them at a lower price, then that is a better deal. But usually those guys just build a batch at a time and can get by on lower profit per piece. When you keep inventory, you have to charge more.

If you need a driver yesterday, then Clif offers a great service and he is rock solid and reliable and fast. If you wanna build you own and save $10 and have the time and ability then he isn't your best choice.

Everyone has different needs/wants. Clif is a good guy and while I completely see your perspective, I also completely see his perspective and I don't think you can have your cake and eat it too. :yh:

Blord said:

I got the DIY kit of the Ben Boost drivers and it was a real PITA to solder the small components. It is doable but with a lot of patience. Sometimes the solder blob was too big and solder all the legs of the ic together.

I was just like the guy in foulmist avatar.

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That was Tom slaving away on one of my 1.95W drivers!

I guess I will be buying from clif then. No other options.

wheedy said:

The exact parts that exploded were these:
PMEG1020EH,115 NXP Semiconductors | 568-4105-1-ND | DigiKey
On both boards, they became busted. One of them totally fried (could see the brown from the smoke on the semi-solid thermal paste I took off) and the other was pulled off the board when I pulled the thermal adhesive off.

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Hey Wheedy,

I apologize for taking so long. I've been busy but I got upstairs to the workshop today and put your Schottky diodes (and some capacitors, just in case) in an envelope. They will go out tomorrow. :yh:

The boards that will have the pots (and settings!) should be in today, and hopefully I will be able to knock a bunch out in the next few days. Clif should have them some time next week in stock

tsteele93 said:

Hey Wheedy,

I apologize for taking so long. I've been busy but I got upstairs to the workshop today and put your Schottky diodes (and some capacitors, just in case) in an envelope. They will go out tomorrow. :yh:

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That's fine, thanks again man! Real life saver :thanks: