1W blue laser Buy or build?

[vjanda]

Hi all.
I am new here.
The only laser I have at present is a cheap green 303.
I have been doing some research and am considering buying the Thor M 2 for around $75.
How much would it cost me if I were to try and build something similar myself?
Could someone point me to a thread that explains such a build.
Cheers!

 

[Sta]

Hello and welcome, vjanda!
I would not recommend building a laser until you have some experience.
Either way the Thor M-II is fairly cheap, you can't go wrong with it. Just be sure to choose one that has "Optical Lens" in the item name - it means that the laser uses a glass lens, rather than an acrylic one. Acrylic lenses will melt with high-power lasers.

:beer:

 

[Razako]

The thor M2 is good, but make sure it has the glass lens. The plastic lenses melt at that power.

 

[vjanda]

What safety glasses would you recommend for something like the thor 2?
Those $2 aliexpress glasses don't inspire confidence.
Btw i have electronics and soldering experience. Where could I see a good diy build from start to completion.
Thx

 

[Sta]

What safety glasses would you recommend for something like the thor 2?
Those $2 aliexpress glasses don't inspire confidence.
Btw i have electronics and soldering experience. Where could I see a good diy build from start to completion.
Thx

These goggles will inspire confidence, and won't inspire your wallet to run away. :crackup:
They've been shown to reduce a 2W laser to nothing. :beer:
https://www.amazon.com/Uvex-S0360X-...5&sr=8-12&keywords=uvex+safety#productDetails

 

[dden4012]

Where are you in the world?

 

[vjanda]

I am in the UK, London.

Confirmed the Thor M 2 comes with the glass lens. I really look forward to receiving it.

Also managed to find those Uvex glasses on ebay in US so they are on their way too.
Do they sell a different version that would protect my eyes from green lasers?

Thanks for all the advice btw !

 

[CurtisOliver]

Welcome Vjanda, another Londoner (well nearly)
I hope you enjoy your laser and stay safe.
Where abouts in London are you from?

 

[GSS]

I am in the UK, London.

Confirmed the Thor M 2 comes with the glass lens. I really look forward to receiving it.

Also managed to find those Uvex glasses on ebay in US so they are on their way too.
Do they sell a different version that would protect my eyes from green lasers?

Thanks for all the advice btw !

Next step to try for decent cheaper glasses are the HDE ANSI Z87.1
These are red lensed glasses for blue and green laser's. They are all over Amazon and have a very good rep and tend to sell from $10 to $15.

 

[vjanda]

I am from SW19 - Southfields, Chelsea supported btw

Bugger, maybe I should just get the HDE ANSI Z87.1 if they cover both blue and green lasers.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Cool, I am just the other side of the M25 near Havering. Yes best to get the glasses for both wavelengths.

 

[vjanda]

Any idea when I can get such a pair in the EU?
Cheers m8

ps
do you own all the lasers in you signature??

 

[CurtisOliver]

You can get pairs of goggles in the EU, but I only go for official goggles with OD graphs when buying from unknown companies. This means nearly £100 a pair. I found one UK supplier charging £125 for a decent pair.
If you don't mind buying out of the EU, then I can recommend Survival Laser. They sell Eagle Pair 190-540nm OD4+ goggles for only £33.12. The best bit is they provide a graph so you can be assured that the goggles will be sufficient for your laser.
I will provide the links below.
Eagle Pair 190-540nm OD4+
Graph

As for the lasers in my signature, yes they are mine.

 

[vjanda]

Thanks Curtis !
I think I will get the Eagle Pair as money's tight right now and if they will cover my thor and green 303 then it's all I need.
Blimey you have more lasers than you could point a laser at
I only got into them a few months ago, how about you?
Did you build any of them?

 

[CurtisOliver]

Lol, I have enough but not as many as some ... Pman
Some of my labs are DTR modules but I am not very good with electronics. Can solder but not much else I have been into lasers for about 5 years now, but only got serious in the last few.