Hey everybody! :wave:
I apologize, I have been busy with boring, normal, non-laser related things.
I have spent a very dramatic week staring at the final four leads protruding from the power supply box and the receiver tube like a gang of angry red and black snakes.
My hesitation paid off! My wise uncle, overlooking my project, Shouted "Faf!" pointed at my thermometer and said "That is bi-metal, and therefore it is crap! you must use thermal adhesive strips!" I have demurred to his greater wisdom, being an industrialist of some note. I have acquired and incorporated a thermal adhesive strip, directly above the heat sink. This allows me to forgo drilling a thermometer hole through the heat-sink, granting a better, more natural view of the readout, While avoiding a large ugly protruding dial of questionable accuracy.
Now the leads are soldered, the snakes have been twisted and joined in and endless kiss.
all that is left is test, and lens adjustment, and test and lens adjustment...