Help for total newbie

[z28]

I bought my first one few days ago.
Blue 445 1W , homemade
Unpacked and started playing,
works good till during focusing that cap/nut on top
(extremely loose anyway) disconnected for a moment.
It's not focusing anymore !
Looks as I lost some focusing lens, collimator or something.

I'm so yellow with that so don't know even correct parts names :^(

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[VisibleGreen]

Can you provide some pics so we know what you got going on there?

 

[z28]

Sure
thanks

 

[olympus mons]

Did you put the lens in backwards?

 

[z28]

I can't see any lens :^(
(except one deep inside)

That's the problem.

 

[olympus mons]

The lens should have 2 notch's you can use a flat head screw driver on. Perhaps the lens got turned too deep into the host. Try removing lens with the tool and making sure you keep it the correct direction, insert it into the focussing knob. The lens will better stay in the focusing knob if you use thread tape so its tight enough that when you adjust the knob, the lens turns with it. In other words, you're trying to make the lens and knob a solid single piece.

 

[z28]

It's possible - but HOW this lens self screwed so deep inside ?
I'll try to follow your tips.
Will update or cry ...
Thanks

 

[z28]

Bingo !
Lens was stuck very hard.
Then turning ring on top separated from lens.
Removed lens (with some problems) put some pure silicone on thread and works as new.

Thank you olympus mons :^D


Now funny part :
I took few pictures of actual projection.
During that time laser burned paint on my wall !!!!
From 9' away
Mark 1mm x 7mm flat !

That's some amazing pattern ...

 

[olympus mons]

Good job. Glad I could help. Speaking of accidental burns, have you seen the thread about this very thing? Pretty funny. My curtains have many holes mostly from my 405's. They burn at quite a distance. Happy lazing .

 

[GSS]

I love it when things work out like this, Good job olympus and z28 good way to keep your cool

 

[z28]

OOT question :
is it safe to use 1W pointer without a lens ?
Safe for pointer itself.
As a sort of emergency flashlight for example..

 

[olympus mons]

OOT question :
is it safe to use 1W pointer without a lens ?
Safe for pointer itself.
As a sort of emergency flashlight for example..

I can't think of a reason why that would be bad for the diode. Just keep in mind it's still harmful to people's eyes so treat it the same as a focused laser not a flashlight. My 405 makes a really nice flashlight beam when greatly unfocused. Reminds me of a spotlight.

 

[z28]

Maybe wide beam is too wide and too much heat stay inside ?

 

[GSS]

Just be careful of dust and particles getting to the diode.

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi Olympus,
Great save and they lived happily ever after I love happy ending..

Rich

 

[Alaskan]

The output of a laser diode without a lens on it can still be focused back into a small highly collimated beam by the lens in your eye!. So, be careful using it without a lens too.