Assembly of a HF mini mag 4x 405nm (pic heavy)

[jander6442]

First of all I have missed the builds where you needed to be somewhat careful on how you handle your diode. Those of us who built PHRs or 2x-6x back when they were coming out remember how sensitive those can be compared to the ol M-140 or 9mm tanks.:gun: I know, I know there are some out now the 520nm and such, but I digress.:na:

I had a 4x sled sitting here for the longest time so I thought I would do a tutorial or build thread on what would a top dog 4x build would have looked like using some of the methods we have now copper modules, magic board. ect.

So I found a host from Harbor Freight as I typically look from time to time. I like to use those Gordons light for host in builds for our hobby.:san: Well I found a little jewl that I come to call simply the HF mini mag.
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Yea it had like 30 LEDS no problem plucking them out though using good ol needle nose​

Back in the day we had to extract our own diodes I really loved this part of the build.

Here I used a speed variable Dremmel to cut a fine line out of the sleds heatsink to get to the diode. I also used the solder blob method to get the ribbon off:wave:

Then I pressed the 4x diode into the copper module soldered it up and did the doubled up the shrink rap on the pins for rigidity.​

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Time to turn down a heatsink... I had to use a 2" because the diameter of the head was in between the offered bar stock.​

I decided to go with a flexdrive V5 I thought it would complement the RHD magic board nicely.:drool: Here is the link for them over a cliffs store MAGIC board - $8.99 : Cajunlasers Store

I used Arctic thermal ceramic adhesive to mount the drivers under the heat sink and then set the current right about 150mA

Then finishing up with the diode hook-up remember to short the caps

Then finally using a G-2 lens and a Moh lens nut I came up with a sweet little hand held. I plan on using this as a line of handhelds like I did with the sAiks as I feel that it has an ease of use and enough room to sink any diode we have now.

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I used a 22500 battery in forward and backwards :drool: to come up with the results. Sure it's not burning holes thru plywood, but that wasn't the goal just having fun doing what we do THAT was the goal.

Thanks for looking and get out and build. -jander6442

 

[Kookapeli]

Aww, thats a sweet little build

 

[benmwv]

Glad to see a build with the Magic board!

Ill look for that light next time Im at HF!

 

[Lazerbeak]

Awesome build tutorial Jander, Thank You! Very cool to see and hear more of the history behind the hobby :beer:

~ LB

 

[jander6442]

Hey thanks guys, this little jem did took no time to build. I had a blast going thru my build list and protocols I had a long lapse in builds and now I found a nice little host to dabble in. Now it's time to give DTR a ring.:san:

 

[grainde]

Nice work Jander! +1 Just curious why two drivers? The flex alone would easily suffice..:thinking:

BTW I know you said that people are building with less sensitive diodes now which makes things easier, but ironically the diodes I have killed have been an M140, 9 mm, 500 mits and a PL520 - Dont know what happened with this one was working perfectly then just stopped...!! :cryyy:

The ones I havent killed (some including extraction from sleds) have been of the more sensitive variety; an LPC815, a PHR803T an SO6J (rebuilt twice in different hosts!), Pl450B, a couple of 3.8 mm single mode reds and an IR...Ive also built several of the tougher diode lasers, but funnily enough only the hardy and expensive diodes have died! :beer:

Edit: Sorry must spread some...

 

[Kookapeli]

Nice work Jander! +1 Just curious why two drivers? The flex alone would easily suffice..:thinking:

It's a magic board, allows you to use the battery in reverse

 

[ryansoh3]

Very cute, nice build! +1 :beer:

 

[jander6442]

It's not a driver... Its a mosfet bride rectifier read more about it http://laserpointerforums.com/f67/magic-iron4d-rhd-info-guide-78442.html . I belive there is a vid about it also somewhere.

Here it is, rhd made this awhile ago and I have used it in a couple builds now

 

[grainde]

Ah ok missed that, makes sense now! :beer: