Finally have all the equipment to start my own bui

[laser83]

What I've been lacking is equipment and I finally decided it's time to get set up. Oddly enough I don't think I've seen a listed of needed equipment anywhere but maybe I missed it?

• Soldering iron kit (+ roll of .025" solder and bottle of flux)
  quality Multimeter
  quality DC power supply
  Helping hands
  and of course a good static strap
  good wire cutter+stripper

Is there anything I missed for the basic equipment for setting up a laser?

Of course as for the laser I have a variable setting rckster driver, a test load kit, and low power diodes (five). I plan on using an empty dilda host which will fit perfectly. I need to consider the type of battery but this an equipment thread.

I'm really looking forward to starting my first build (finally).

I haven't done soldering work in 10 years! I'm planing on working on some old junk electronics first for practice working with all the equipment. I have some old broken small electronic junk that I'm going to work on getting to work again (hopefully) easy stuff now that I have this equipment.

 

[Morgan]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

Goggles, goggles, goggles!!!?

Actually, I'm sure you're already looking after your eyes as you obviously already own lasers but if the intention was to make a list of basic or essential equipment then I think you'd have to have them on it too. Just an observation.

IMO, I'd also include soldering braid and some soldering tools, (scrapers, picks and pokers etc. Plenty of cheap kits out there). My braid has come in handy on too many occasions!! ;D

M

 

[jonasa0601]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

Is flux really needed? Isn't flux inside the soldering tin?

Static electricty is very important?

 

[laser83]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

Goggles, goggles, goggles!!!?

Actually, I'm sure you're already looking after your eyes as you obviously already own lasers but if the intention was to make a list of basic or essential equipment then I think you'd have to have them on it too. Just an observation.

IMO, I'd also include soldering braid and some soldering tools, (scrapers, picks and pokers etc. Plenty of cheap kits out there). My braid has come in handy on too many occasions!! ;D

M

No, don't worry about goggles for me, I have two pairs from OEM for red and green+violet wavelengths.
Most of setting up a laser involves testing not so much lasering.

I'm sure I'll be adding equipment as I go along. Will definitely be fun.

 

[Morgan]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

I'm not so hot on the testing yet but glad you took my post the right way, thanks. Still consider myself a noob, so need to put my head above the parapet for a few friendly shots.

Thankfully I've ducked this exchange without injury!

M

 

[LaserLove1012]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

Hope everything goes fine with you.

 

[laser83]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

Thanks,

I forgot to mention a few extra tools that are needed. It's quite a bit of equipment and the soldering compents are important I didn't mention all of them. I actually need the flux to prepare the test circuit I bought first. Since I have so many extra laser diodes (daguin was selling 5 for $10!) for fun I hooked one up to my power my supply and easily got it working. I ended up killing the diode but I can live with ruining a 2$ diode. ;D

 

[Mohrenberg]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

Is flux really needed? Isn't flux inside the soldering tin?

Static electricty is very important?

i swear by it.....makes things SO much easier....

basicly what you'll find on my desk, thats used most are:

soldering iron (any cheap crappy one that will get me through 20 driver kits)
helping hands.
mini vice clamped to desk
solder
flux
roll of wire
dental pic
long tweezers
mini file (for harvesting the sled's heatsink)
epoxy

 

[phoenix77]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

You can add an LPM like a LASERBEE I, a diode setting tool, a plastic box with dividers, to hold myriad small parts,( springs, modules, lenses,etc. ) Thermal paste, jumper wires, fine, multi-strand wire, (you can find all you'll need in old PC's or if you opt for solid core, use the gray telephone cable found inside walls. Inside the gray cable insulation are at LEAST 5 strands of solid core wire ). Lens Pen, Super Glue. These are just a few things I have on my work bench that I didn't see listed. Also, a GOOD DMM.............rob

 

[DTMF]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

don't foget to get your self a big jar of LUCK . it come's in handy . i must have just ran out cus i just blew my last 2 blu-ray diode's

 

[laser83]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

You can add an LPM like a LASERBEE I, a diode setting tool, a plastic box with dividers, to hold myriad small parts,( springs, modules, lenses,etc. ) Thermal paste, jumper wires, fine, multi-strand wire, (you can find all you'll need in old PC's or if you opt for solid core, use the gray telephone cable found inside walls. Inside the gray cable insulation are at LEAST 5 strands of solid core wire ). Lens Pen, Super Glue. These are just a few things I have on my work bench that I didn't see listed. Also, a GOOD DMM.............rob

I think a have good DMM it's from velleman and has more functions than I know what to do with.   It even covers temperature. I REALLY do need a box like you describe. I've been using a drawers or plastic containers for everything. I'm forgetting the extra wiring needed, fortunately I have plenty of old PCs nearby. I ordered an LPM from Kenom I'm looking foward to getting that.

basicly what you'll find on my desk, thats used most are:

soldering iron (any cheap crappy one that will get me through 20 driver kits)
helping hands.
mini vice clamped to desk
solder
flux
roll of wire
dental pic
long tweezers
mini file (for harvesting the sled's heatsink)
epoxy

I happen to have a mini vice too. what I can't believe I didn't pick up was a roll of wire. I guess I'll be stealing from my junk electronics for now.

Today is my real test. I'm going to assemble the circuit of the test load kit that I have.  :-/. Once I'm comfortable with soldering I think this will be much easier. The power supply is fun to play around with I had this little toy engine which I had basically nearing 3 AMPS. It sounded like a power drill.

For some reason I have not been able to connect a diode directly to the power supply without killing the diodes.  it in short order $2 diodes aren't a big deal. This are diodes set to run at a 2.2 volt (recommended) and 40-50mA. What's strange is I can't get one to run on the specified 40mA. I've only seen them work briefly and that's when I one to an insane 400mA. I don't get it I think the diode would blow out instantly. I'm sure I'll find out more once I'm able to do some tests. worked for few seconds, I'm just surprised even with the exact information I can get a diode working direct off the power supply.

don't foget to get your self a big jar of LUCK . it come's in handy . i must have just ran out  cus i just blew my last 2 blu-ray diode's  

I don't like luck...  :-/ Well, blowing diodes is nothing new. Now I'll just be doing it on a hobbyist level (I'm guessing that means more).

 

[Warske]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

For some reason I have not been able to connect a diode directly to the power supply without killing the diodes.

If your power supply doesn't have adjustable current limiting, this post might help, the part about using a series resistor to limit the current:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1238947110/0#7

Also, you can get red laser diodes to play with out of PHR-803 sleds. You can get the sleds 3 for $2 shipped free: http://hightechdealz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=16

 

[laser83]

Re: Finally have all the equipment to start my own

I did get a the diode to run directly off the power supply this time. I think a pin must have been slightly bent or something before . The diode runs exactly at its specifications. 2.2-2.7 volts 40mA to 50mA. I bought 5 diodes from daguin a while back because I knew I would start my own build.

I have 3 working diodes which should be enough.

After some burned fingers, I've realized I really need to read more on soldiering. The solder cools so quickly it appears I need to apply the part exactly at the same time as the solder. The test kit circuit board was looking like a mess. I managed to clean it up. I'm going to try again tomorrow well rested with healed fingers.  :-[

My problem is doing it two handed, but I guess more practice is needed. If I get the hang of soldering I can eventually design my own circuits and really do some interesting builds so this is an essential skill.