HELP! How do you remove a heatsink that is press-fit into a host?

[petters]

I have really been wanting to replace my laser diode but there is absolutely no way to remove the driver and diode (which seem to be pressed into the heatsink), i have, so far, been between two options: force the heatsink out with possible vice grips and some piece of metal, or just leave the heatsink alone and push the diode and driver out the back and just hope that the driver is not damaged when pushed out the back.... just a noob with no clue :cryyy:

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

You should post some pictures of what you're dealing with...

 

[maximdooijes]

i would force the heatsink out. assuming that it is glued on to the host. i wouldn't take the risk of damaging a driver. if you can post some pics it would be a lot more easier to help you.

 

[foulmist]

to push the diode out you need to first remove the driver cuz you can damage the diode if you try to push the driver with it !

and btw the driver's neg input might be soldered to the heatsink (if copper)
and you won't be able to push it out from the back

 

[maximdooijes]

to push the diode out you need to first remove the driver cuz you can damage the diode if you try to push the driver with it !

and btw the driver's neg input might be soldered to the heatsink (if copper)
and you won't be able to push it out from the back

well, solder should break with ease. but please,peter, post some pics. it will clear everything out.

 

[petters]

here you guys go, hopefully this will help you help me easier

 

[Blord]

What host is that ? There is some white blob inside the laser. I think it is glued together.
You can put it in the freezer, maybe the glue got brittle and easier to break.
Or heat the laser a little up so that the glue get softer and easier to push it out.

 

[maximdooijes]

thanks for the pics. since i see that it is glued to the host, i would still say:" force the heatsink out". the glue should break easily. make sure you remove the glue residue before putting it back in. and glue it w/ new glue. :beer:

 

[Mohrenberg]

You're going to have to force it out.
obviously you can't press against the driver so you're gonna have to press it out from the other way with a vice.

is that one of survival lasers' blue anodized heat sinks for the c6?

 

[Flaminpyro]

Instead of pushing everything down the entire length of the host I think the best way would be to find a sleeve that can slide past the driver so you can press it out with a press or a drill press or even a vise.
you will need a sleeve to push the guts out and an anvil for it to sit against, the anvil will hold the hosts shell but let the guts (LD,driver) pass through it. maybe you can use a "deep socket" for the anvil and some aluminum tubing for a sleeve to press with.

 

[maximdooijes]

that is even a better idea.

 

[petters]

THANKS EVERYONE, and this is the laser:

 

[Mohrenberg]

If you want to be risky, you can twist the driver and hope that the pins break off the diode instead of the driver's pads ripping off.

then you can force it out.

 

[petters]

would this work- taking a little metal pole from a laser sled (like in a ps3), and then put it on top of the diode and hammer the diode and the driver out of the heatsink, the diode is already broken so no harm done? i only say this because i took a flashlight to the back and front and saw some light penetrate past the side of the diode in the heatsink so maybe it could be easily hammered out with a metal pin thing from a laser sled?

 

[Bionic-Badger]

You can try that, but sometimes you end up marring the host. Still, that's a more hefty host than the one I tried removing the press-fit part from.

Another thing to try is heating up the glue. Use a lighter inside the area and see if some of that glue melts.

 

[Mohrenberg]

would this work- taking a little metal pole from a laser sled (like in a ps3), and then put it on top of the diode and hammer the diode and the driver out of the heatsink, the diode is already broken so no harm done? i only say this because i took a flashlight to the back and front and saw some light penetrate past the side of the diode in the heatsink so maybe it could be easily hammered out with a metal pin thing from a laser sled?

that's a great idea actually.
better than my idea of ripping the driver off lol