is this acceptable?

[MG100]

So iam thinking if projectors have what was it 24 diodes in them I could sell some and that can off set the cost of buy it

 

[CurtisOliver]

Not all projectors have laser diodes in for one thing, and second you don't know what laser is inside the unit. I would highly recommend asking DTR for advice before paying out on a projector, as that is how he gets most of his diodes.
Good luck

 

[MG100]

Well iam not really sure when I'll do. It maybe a year from now. But yeah I'll definitely ask him what kind are good

 

[CurtisOliver]

That's fine, I just don't want you wasting your money without checking. I have done things like that in the past when I should of inquired first.
I'll look forward to seeing it when you can afford it.
Curtis

 

[diachi]

Not all projectors have laser diodes in for one thing, and second you don't know what laser is inside the unit. I would highly recommend asking DTR for advice before paying out on a projector, as that is how he gets most of his diodes.
Good luck

^^This^^ ... as has already been suggested to you multiple times.

Not sure you're going to find many broken Laser DLP projectors for that sort of price. For starters they're going to be lasting a lot longer than the old lamp based ones - I think a lot of people would buy a lamp based projector, use it for 4-5 years until the lamp dies and then just buy a new projector rather than pay $300 for a new lamp, ditching the old one for cheap in the process. New DLP projectors are all LED/Laser so they don't have a lamp that dies after 3,000 hours. Doesn't hurt to look of course - just don't get your hopes up.

You're new to lasers, start small and work your way up. There's no need to jump straight into a 5W build without having experience with other lasers at lower powers first, that's asking for trouble.

Also ... I must ask, what age are you? You mentioned something about trading with a kid at school?

 

[CurtisOliver]

Also ... I must ask, what age are you? You mentioned something about trading with a kid at school?

I was thinking about that as well. That is why I made sure he knew it was dangerous with my comment

The other point to make is how incredibly dangerous those diodes are. They can run at roughly 6.8W so nearly 7 times more than your 1 watt laser. But the power might as well be 20x more.

These diodes are not to messed with.

 

[MG100]

Iam 17 and I am in a technical school for engineering mostly mechanical but iam also interested in electronics in general and yes I know how dangerous it is it's not my first dangerous build I have also made a coil gun a few tasers and a small rail gun, I have also made a hydrogen generator and a 3 rockets i know a bit about safety as I am also OSHA level 2 certified but it's always good to be reminded about safety lol

 

[diachi]

Iam 17 and I am in a technical school for engineering mostly mechanical but iam also interested in electronics in general and yes I know how dangerous it is it's not my first dangerous build I have also made a coil gun a few tasers and a small rail gun, I have also made a hydrogen generator and a 3 rockets i know a bit about safety as I am also OSHA level 2 certified but it's always good to be reminded about safety lol

Ok, just checking!

Entirely different danger, but if you can figure out how to handle coil guns, tasers, small rail guns, hydrogen generators and rockets without hurting yourself then you can figure out how to handle lasers just fine too. Plenty of safety resources on here that you can read through.

Maybe think about posting your other projects in the off-topic section - lots of us would be interested in seeing them! I've been wanting to build a decent coil gun for ages and a rail gun sure sounds like fun too.

FYI - you're supposed to be 18 to buy lasers from most places... If it causes any trouble in the meantime you can always get a parent/guardian to sort it out until you reach 18. I started out at 14 or so (8 years ago!) and it was never an issue. My parents were more worried about the bags of KNO3 and HV power supplies that were showing up... I'm definitely on a list somewhere.

 

[MG100]

Don't try making a rail gun it's not worth the trouble I worked for a solid week and and only got it to shoot a 1/4" 1" long rod about 10' and it was just a pain in general
The coil gun was easy as long as you keep it down to 1 segment of coils. I can't really post my old projects because I cannibalize one to make another and my last one the hydrogen generator got to dangerous for my parents and they made me take it apart after they saw a a bottle full of hydrogen/oxygen blow up in the backyard

 

[MG100]

PS I ad beginning to think this site was for people because 1/2 comments are people saying how dumb the other guy is, it good to know iam not alone

 

[diachi]

Don't try making a rail gun it's not worth the trouble I worked for a solid week and and only got it to shoot a 1/4" 1" long rod about 10' and it was just a pain in general
The coil gun was easy as long as you keep it down to 1 segment of coils. I can't really post my old projects because I cannibalize one to make another and my last one the hydrogen generator got to dangerous for my parents and they made me take it apart after they saw a a bottle full of hydrogen/oxygen blow up in the backyard

Yeah - if I'm ever going to do the rail gun I'm going big. It's the only way to get them to work decently.

I was planning a whole bunch of stages for the coil gun - but that's another project on the back burner. Figure I'll get around to it if I ever get a 3D printer as that makes much of the construction easier and more accurate. Too many projects on the back burner.

Fair enough - I know how that goes. You should post future projects in that case, there will be interest!

:crackup::crackup::crackup:They're probably worried that a SWAT team will show up... That's how these things go in this day and age. That stuff's a hell of a lot of fun though.

 

[Encap]

So iam thinking if projectors have what was it 24 diodes in them I could sell some and that can off set the cost of buy it

The laser you made looks pretty good!

You are way better off just getting some odds jobs to pay for parts then buying a diode from DTR.

Maybe search the forum search for harvesting diodes or projector diodes --is not so easy to do and is a lot of specialized careful work and testing even if you know what your are doing.

Projectors run $600-900 and up to begin with and nobody is going to want to buy "used" diodes from a broken projector --that is if you can even find one which is doubtful.
Scroll down and read the words in blue on this DTR page to get some idea about projectors and diodes:
https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/445-m140-didoes

 

[MG100]

What's so wrong with diodes being used? How Are they different from a brand new one? Practically everything I do is with used or broken parts and I haven't had a problem, also the diode iam using in that laser is used for reportable 600 hours.

 

[diachi]

What's so wrong with diodes being used? How Are they different from a brand new one? Practically everything I do is with used or broken parts and I haven't had a problem, also the diode iam using in that laser is used for reportable 600 hours.

They may work fine - I think what he's getting at is that people may not want to buy used diodes if you plan on reselling them to cover some of your costs. Especially because we tend to run them at higher currents than they are rated for, which shortens the lifespan as is.

Perhaps for a greatly reduced price people will be interested... Like 50% cheaper than a new diode or some such.

 

[MG100]

Well I sort of just looking to break even so many we should do a group buy in the future

 

[Encap]

They may work fine - I think what he's getting at is that people may not want to buy used diodes if you plan on reselling them to cover some of your costs. Especially because we tend to run them at higher currents than they are rated for, which shortens the lifespan as is.

Perhaps for a greatly reduced price people will be interested... Like 50% cheaper than a new diode or some such.

Exactly, diachi. There just is little if any call for "used" in today's world with so many types and wavelengths easily/plentifully available new, tested, and guaranteed/warrantied

What's so wrong with diodes being used? How Are they different from a brand new one? Practically everything I do is with used or broken parts and I haven't had a problem, also the diode iam using in that laser is used for reportable 600 hours.

Nothing is "wrong" with them, however you are not going to be able to sell them and not lose money, time , and effort overall---would be very difficult, and time consuming if possible. I would guess you should not count on anything else.
Maybe many years ago when laser diodes were few and far between it might have made some sense. Thousands are available of many types, all different wavelengths, and at relatively low prices. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, in a hgigh risk way, generally, for most people.

The standard that people buy is new unused --as dtr explains: "This diode is a never used diode that is extracted from a brand new out of the box DLP projector. Only running time would be whatever quality control testing was done @ the manufacturer and myself running them briefly to make sure they all are in good working order before being sold."

Would be a lot easier and less risky to just get some work and make a few $s and buy what you need/want.
Why take a chance on a used diode when you can buy a new tested no risk one from a well proven and reliable source for very little more? Time, parts, and and effort to do something with it are the bigger issue and cost.