DIY box style laser

[rubberband]

ok i finished this a while ago and i think it is pretty cool so i thought i would show you all. i know it isn't very pretty but the box is all one big heatsink and this thing has ans increadably long duty cycle. i once left it on for an hour and half and the thing wasn't even warm enough to allow my leg to feel it through my jean pocket. it fits really well in my hand and i really like it. i am also in the process of making a blu-ray laser out of one of these and will finish probably tomorrow if i get the diode.

tell me what you think.
here are some pics and a vid
http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z99/laserband/?action=view&current=movie.flv

 

[rubberband]

the laser on

the batteries are pretty much dead so it isn't too bright, when i get new batteries i will take a few new pics.

 

[rubberband]

the messy insides

 

[rubberband]

more inards

 

[rubberband]

...

 

[jayrob]

Nice job Rubberband! That box is the perfect size. I have one awaiting the Phazor diode...the batteries fit so snug, that you don't even need any foam or anything on the inside of the lid. The lid 'ceiling' even touches the batteries when closed. Hand hold size, also nice for setting on the table... I'm a big fan of your box style laser!
Jay

 

[rubberband]

yea mine is pretty messy inside but the final product on the outside looks pretty nice. i really like how easy it is to perfectly collimate the laser, for me all i have to do is screw the lens in all the way and it is a perfectly collimated laser beam which is very very convenient.

your's look's really nice both inside and out hopefully i can clean my next project up a bit to make it look as nice as yours

tomorrow i will finish my blu-ray laser and will post some things about that

good luck with yours man
Mitch

 

[disma]

Nice! I hope mine will look that good when Im done with it!

Max

 

[Rettocs]

Are those cases that you all have available at radioshack, or where did you get them? Also, do you have a schematic of the innards? I am looking to make my very first one, and I am very new to all of it. I'm looking for all of the help that I can get

Thanks in advance!

- Rettocs

 

[roSSco]

I recognized your voice from a youtube video I saw a few days ago. You're famous!

Good job btw.

 

[Phazonx]

This is a good model.

It really shows that it doesn't matter how something looks on the outside. As long as it works in the end.

 

[jayrob]

Are those cases that you all have available at radioshack, or where did you get them? Also, do you have a schematic of the innards? I am looking to make my very first one, and I am very new to all of it. I'm looking for all of the help that I can get

Thanks in advance!

- Rettocs

I believe that my box is the same one that rubberband used...here are the links to parts I used for mine:
This perfect size little box is here:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=HM841-ND
The battery holders are here:
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=BC2/3AE-ND
And the driver is made according to DDL's thread:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185701612
The only difference is that I used a 2 ohm 1 W resistor at the LM317:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=PPC2.0W-1CT-ND
And a 10 ohm 1/2 W Pot:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=490-2853-ND
I did this change after asking DDL about a specific range of current that I was after. The current range for this set up is 104mA to 625mA...
Have fun making one!
Jay

 

[Things]

Nice work there rubberband!

 

[Skram0]

Gotta use yer flash wid da Fujifilm FinePix A820, or brighten'm up with yer Paint.NET v3.10. Pics are a bit dark.
It's amazing what ya find in the Exif info of a JPG file.

 

[JECS]

i just think its funny how you soldered onto that board. normally the copper/traces go on the bottom so when you stick the wire through the top its as if the wires are being held into place like a nut/bolt. plus then with all the traces/joints on the bottom you dont have to look at all that ugly stuff so you can focus on the goods

 

[rubberband]

wow that was my first one
i have 3 more of the aluminum with drivers, buttons and battery cases all ready. the new ones have the battery cases like jayrob and the button i use is a very sleek black button. now all i need are the diodes. i also have 6 blu-ray laser modules ready all i need for those is the diodes as well.

i will post more pics of the almost compleet laser pointers when i get home