Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tips

[jayrob]

I'd like to show my new desk top laser lamp! This is an easy project and a nice display piece...

When I saw one that daguin made, I also wanted to make one!

I bought the assembly shown in the first picture from a member, and then build it into a easy to make desk lamp...

This is a 10" tube with lots of exposed (clear) tube! It is 1 1/8" in diameter.

I disassembled everything from the mounting board that the laser came with, and bought some material from Tap Plastic, and a project box from Radio Shack. Total cost in parts: Less than $100 dollars! (that's everything - laser included)

Here are the pictures...

Added some solid rods in the front just to add stability to the mount...

Hope you like it!





Click here to see my list of projects and tutorials!

 

[JLSE]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SWEET! - Build Tips

I like that idea You just gave me a reason to dig up my tubes ;D

I dont think it will harm the laser to keep a marble on the top, as the apeture from what I know is a 95% reflective mirrior anyway. Maybe it would increase the ammount of light? But I dont think damage.


Cool light though, I needed a desklamp too

 

[jayrob]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SWEET! - Build Tips

Thanks fot that!

I didn't think it would damage it, but it doesn't hurt to ask...
Jay

 

[Laser_Ben]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SWEET! - Build Tips

Oh, Jay! Common man, you are making me jealous!!!! That turned out amazing! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

There is no problem with the marble, you can't really hurt this laser optically.

 

[jayrob]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SWEET! - Build Tips

Ha Ha!

Well I'm pretty darn well happy with it! And I'm very happy with the price I paid...

Thanks for that Ben!
Jay

 

[daguin]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SWEET! - Build Tips

Very clean, Jay. Nice work

Peace,
dave

 

[jayrob]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SWEET! - Build Tips

Thanks Dave!

Just following your lead man...
Jay

 

[Dr.LaSeR]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tip

awesome work as always

 

[IgorT]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SWEET! - Build Tips

Thanks fot that!

I didn't think it would damage it, but it doesn't hurt to ask...
Jay

There is no reason the marble would damage it. I'm guessing you're thinking of what happens with diodes, when a lens focuses the laser light back in onto a tiny spot in some rare cases, creating a spot on the die that is under more stress than the rest, causing it to burn up, leading to COD.

That's why you shouldn't use 660nm AR coated lenses with blu rays for example - the coating increases reflections, compared to uncoated lenses.
But a marble and a tube should be safe. It's only focused light that can cause problems anyway, not scattered light.


Nice work, btw! Looks very cool!

 

[jayrob]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tip

Thanks guys!

Hey Igor, yes that is what I was thinking....

I appreciate your explanation. You always go into great detail with your comments and your very informative threads and posts. You could write a book man! I guess in a sense, you already have... through your various threads and testing. Looking forward to your 405nm glass lenses for AixiZ!
Jay

 

[drgrant1]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tip

Jay,

Very well executed! Those old lasers can make some beautiful and functional art! Regarding the marble: Having owned many high powered HeNe's I do think you will be just fine. If it was on top of laser exit, I would be concerned from the heat build up.

Keep up the GREAT work and have a prosperous New Year!

Grant

 

[jayrob]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tip

Thank you Grant! And especially for giving me those other HeNe lasers!

That was actually the 'spark' that started this project...

I had never seen 632.8nm before that. When I realized how much brighter it is than I imagined, that's when I remembered the picture I saw of Dave's HeNe laser lamp, and well, you know the rest!...
Jay

 

[CRFultz]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tip

Jay that is outstanding, I have to ask, where would one look for a tube for sell? Are they even available?
I do alot of woodworking and would love to get that into one of my desktop lamps.
Nice work, thanks for sharing

Chuck

 

[jayrob]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tip

Thanks for the compliment!

You should be able to find one easy enough. Perhaps post a WTB thread in the 'Buy, Sell, Trade' section. Keep an eye out in Flee-bay as well.

I just did a quick Google search and found this site:
http://www.mwklasers.com/henelasers.htm
Jay

 

[CRFultz]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tip

Thanks for the link Jay, I think I'll place a order

 

[jayrob]

Re: Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tip

Sure!

Hey let us know how it goes with them! And if they sell the tubes complete with power supplies and drivers...
Jay