First Laser BUILD, any advice/help?

[ChaosLord]

1. Insert diode module wires first into front of laser until copper module is flush with front of host; tighten lock screw.
2. Slide small heat shrink tubing onto the 2 wires in host. If the ends are not bare, strip insulation off.
3. Cut twisted end off of the wires on diode module; strip small amount of insulation off of these wires.
4. Solder bare end of diode modules black wire to bare end of hosts black wire. Repeat for red wires.
5. Move heat shrink tubing over solder connections and use soldering iron or lighter to shrink tubing. Be careful not to touch the tubing directly to heat source.
6. Stuff wires into host and seal it up.
7. Insert 2 18650 batteries (or whichever size you're using), press button, and enjoy.

(Note, for number 1, thermal compound is recommended on diode module to aid heat transfer.)

 

[COMMANDR]

1. Insert diode module wires first into front of laser until copper module is flush with front of host; tighten lock screw.
2. Slide small heat shrink tubing onto the 2 wires in host. If the ends are not bare, strip insulation off.
3. Cut twisted end off of the wires on diode module; strip small amount of insulation off of these wires.
4. Solder bare end of diode modules black wire to bare end of hosts black wire. Repeat for red wires.
5. Move heat shrink tubing over solder connections and use soldering iron or lighter to shrink tubing. Be careful not to touch the tubing directly to heat source.
6. Stuff wires into host and seal it up.
7. Insert 2 18650 batteries (or whichever size you're using), press button, and enjoy.

(Note, for number 1, thermal compound is recommended on diode module to aid heat transfer.)

This reminds me of my old Science teacher.

The seven steps in the scientific method

1. Choose a problem
2. Research your problem
3. Develop a hypthesis
4. Write your procedures
5. Test your hypothesis
6. Organize your data
7. State your conclusions

 

[oahu99]

$340 has already been spent.. I am going for the cheaper version.

That's your decision I suppose.
Although, the soldering iron will pay for itself after you save a few diodes, just ask a few people around here who have destroyed their diodes from a cheap iron.

 

[ChaosLord]

That's your decision I suppose.
Although, the soldering iron will pay for itself after you save a few diodes, just ask a few people around here who have destroyed their diodes from a cheap iron.

I have never lost a diode due to my cheap, 25W soldering iron. As long as you don't do any direct diode soldering, which this build doesn't, a plain ol soldering iron works fine IMO.

Now if you wanted to press and solder diodes, instead of getting pressed modules, then I could see getting a good soldering station.

 

[Pi R Squared]

He's never soldered before and you don't know if he will again. He only needs to solder together two pairs of wires. A 25 or 30W iron will be just fine. Later if he builds more lasers or gets more into electronics it will be easy to determine when he needs something better.

I forgot to mention earlier its also a good idea to get a DMM if you don't have one.

Alan

 

[oahu99]

I have never lost a diode due to my cheap, 25W soldering iron. As long as you don't do any direct diode soldering, which this build doesn't, a plain ol soldering iron works fine IMO.

Now if you wanted to press and solder diodes, instead of getting pressed modules, then I could see getting a good soldering station.

Ya, it is true that for this build a cheap iron will work. However, for the long run I think a nice soldering station is a worthwhile investment. It is pretty much a one time purchase.
I'm just saying this because I had a cheap iron and it was beyond frustrating to solder anything, even big dip parts. Now I have a metcal iron and I am so much happier soldering.
Just my thoughts, if you want to get a cheap iron that is OK too.

 

[3Pig]

Make sure you have somewhere to put the hot soldering iron too, I have a hefty scar on my arm from dropping a 60w iron on it... Still, anything beats a house fire

I have successfully soldered direct to the diode with my 60w... also killed one but that is because I was a noob and left it on too long RIP mitsu 635

 

[XD001]

Hmm, all this suggestions are great, but this is an old thread, I figured it out long ago (well Pi R Squared did)