Build or Buy?

[awillis2589]

here is everything you need to build a labby that is a bit portable but still a lab style laser. you will want saftey glasses which are easy to find on the internet just search for them because this laser will make about 100mW.

Heatsink: Heat Sink Holder Mount for 12mm Laser Modules | eBay

Module:https://www.fasttech.com/products/1620/10000626/1083000

Battery Holder: https://www.fasttech.com/products/1009/10002604/1193501

then just slide the module inside the heatsink, red wire goes to red wire, black to black, and put two AA battery's in and your good to go. I would use AA's because they should last longer then AAA's. and if you want you can add a switch.

 

[Gun]

Okay, thanks both of you. I've got a bit to think about then; plug-in or portable. I would prefer a portable one by far however I'll be breaking the law and I doubt my parents will let me do that. I'll have to think about it.

 

[awillis2589]

Well just because you don't plug it into a wall doesn't mean you are breaking the law! Its still a lab laser but with a battery power supply.

 

[Laik]

You just cut off the end of the power adapter and solder the negative and positive to the corresponding places on the driver. The negative is the spring and the brass is the positive, here is a 30mW with leads already 30mW 532nm12x60mm /Laser Diode Module/Green Laser Beam/Cable Version | eBay I am not sure about the one you linked because i dont know if it has a driver and if it is a direct green diode or not. Have a good one and thanks for the + rep :beer:

 

[awillis2589]

Direct Green Diode Cost more then $100 so it's not that. also you have to be careful with wall plugs because they can say 3V and be 6. battery's are a sure fire option

 

[Laik]

How would that diode work then? Do you think there would be some very small crystals inside, it just looks like an aixiz housing so you would fit much in there apart from the diode? Personally if i was to build a lab laser, i would make it use a wall adapter because if i was going to use batteries, i would just make a hand-held, also i would make the lab laser able to have a continuous run time. This is just my opinion, i am not saying you should do anything, it's up to you on what you want to do

Edit: If you are going to build a handheld, i would really recommend buying the aurora c6 host with the gold heat sink that Fiddy got up for sale because it has two front parts, so you can fit a green module and a massive 18650 battery in there.

 

[Gun]

Thanks both of you. I think I'm going to go with the parts Laik linked me though. For my first build I just want to build something that I know is 100% legal, that way my parents should also let me do it. The law is "handheld" lasers, so anything that is sort of portable I guess, although I'm not exactly sure. I may contact customs and ask them or something.

How do I make the laser continous run time? What do I have to do to achieve that?
Also, how do I know which of the leads inside of the wall adapter is positive and which is negative? Won't they just be coloured differently? Do I really have to buy a multimeter?

I think I'm almost ready to order the parts

 

[Laik]

You don't have to buy a multimeter but if you are gonna get into the hobby more, i would recommend getting one. As for the leads in the wall adapter, they will be coloured differently (black is negative and red is positive, although i had one where negative was white). A continuous run time is just making the diode/module cool enough to run continuously. With a 15mW or 30mW module and that big heat sink, you will be able to run it continuously. Now get ordering! Once you get it going you will love it, then when you take it outside at night you will instantly fall in love and want to build more. Have a good one :beer:

 

[Gun]

You don't have to buy a multimeter but if you are gonna get into the hobby more, i would recommend getting one. As for the leads in the wall adapter, they will be coloured differently (black is negative and red is positive, although i had one where negative was white). A continuous run time is just making the diode/module cool enough to run continuously. With a 15mW or 30mW module and that big heat sink, you will be able to run it continuously. Now get ordering! Once you get it going you will love it, then when you take it outside at night you will instantly fall in love and want to build more. Have a good one :beer:

Yeah I don't think I'll get one right now but I'm 98.9% sure I'll get one in the near future. Continuous! Awesome! I'm hoping to order the parts either tonight or this week. I'm going to re-post all the parts below just so you can double check they're all correct. Everyone else is welcome to post and tell me if I should change one of the parts that Laik has recommended, but it is going to stay a plug-in laser, not a handheld.

Parts:

3V Wall Adapter
Universal to AU Socket Converter
Heatsink
Module
Safety Goggles

A couple of questions (typical me):

With the safety goggles, is there any cheaper ones that are of the same quality or better? I'd like to buy 2 pairs instead of 1 and not go over budget.

What would recommend for a host for this laser? Will any box with holes in it do the job?

When you say take it outside, I assume you mean with a sort of extension cord so it can stay plugged-in and run? I think I have a couple lying around.

Also, when using this 30mW laser outside, will I still need to wear safety goggles? I assume I don't since I'm not going to be very close to it.


Thanks,
Gun :beer:

 

[Laik]

These goggles are the best your getting for that amount of money (they are still not very good, wouldn't recommend them over 100mW max). These come with three pairs as well (if you didn't realize). You won't have to wear goggles outside as long as your not pointing it near you (using it close range). Anything will do as a host, i saw someone make a labby with a lego host. As for taking it outside, yes an extension cord, if you have a socket outside that would be very convenient.

 

[Gun]

These goggles are the best your getting for that amount of money (they are still not very good, wouldn't recommend them over 100mW max). These come with three pairs as well (if you didn't realize). You won't have to wear goggles outside as long as your not pointing it near you (using it close range). Anything will do as a host, i saw someone make a labby with a lego host. As for taking it outside, yes an extension cord, if you have a socket outside that would be very convenient.

Haha, didn't even realise there were 3 pairs there . Okay say just some sort of small box with a hole for the beam to come out of and a hole for the cord to come out of. How do you suggest I make sure things don't move around inside? Should I hot-glue the heatsink to the box or something?

 

[Laik]

Well, i wouldn't even put it in a box But i don't know how to secure it in the box in a good and clean way, what box are you using? Is it like one of those "project boxes"? Without knowing, i would just say put a little hot glue around the base, make sure you can get it out if you need to (blu tack would be good too, but im not sure if it would hold it in place good, it would leave no mess though). Also you might want to add a switch onto the box as well, so you don't have to turn it off at the power point all the time (you should always switch it off at the wall after you finish though). You could use this box, it looks pretty sweet there's already a hole for the chord or laser to come out of, all you have to do is make another one for the other side. You could put the switch where the oval with the little hole is as well http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2pcs-DIY...ent&hash=item4607ada3ee&_uhb=1#ht_1972wt_1037 Hope you get building soon :beer:

 

[Gun]

Well, i wouldn't even put it in a box But i don't know how to secure it in the box in a good and clean way, what box are you using? Is it like one of those "project boxes"? Without knowing, i would just say put a little hot glue around the base, make sure you can get it out if you need to (blu tack would be good too, but im not sure if it would hold it in place good, it would leave no mess though). Also you might want to add a switch onto the box as well, so you don't have to turn it off at the power point all the time (you should always switch it off at the wall after you finish though). You could use this box, it looks pretty sweet there's already a hole for the chord or laser to come out of, all you have to do is make another one for the other side. You could put the switch where the oval with the little hole is as well 2pcs DIY B74x50x31mm New Black Plastic Project Box Electronic Case | eBay Hope you get building soon :beer:

Good news, I just ordered all my parts! Wasn't expecting my dad to do it that quickly! (although it is my birthday in 2 weeks ). I'm going to an electronics/hardware store probably this weekend to get a soldering iron, I'l probably get some sort of box then. I probably won't bother buying a switch at the moment, maybe if I find it too annoying. Thanks for all the help Laik and everyone else! I'll post here when I have some more questions concerning my laser (other than the question below )

How long do you think it will take till it arrives? All of the parts were from Hong Kong shipping to Melbourne with the free shipping. How long do you think it will take?

Thanks,
Gun :beer:

 

[Laik]

It takes about 2 weeks to get to Queensland, so if you're lucky it will get here before or on your birthday, if not a few days after. Can't wait to see you finish your first build!

 

[Gun]

It takes about 2 weeks to get to Queensland, so if you're lucky it will get here before or on your birthday, if not a few days after. Can't wait to see you finish your first build!

Oh okay, not as bad as I thought . Me neither, the first of many builds to come!

 

[awillis2589]

You make no sense why spend $10 on a module for an unknown seller with unknown power or buy it from the link I provided which everyone on the forum has bought and is 90% chance of being over spec near 100mW. But what would I know I'm not a vet or the first person to try and help you out, but whatever!