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FrozenGate by Avery

Help Me Build My Next Laser!

Gun

Gun

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Hello Everyone,

Well I've only "built" (connected a module to a power supply) my first laser today and well...I'm already planning another build :D I think I've fallen in love.

I'm sort of planning a handheld build as I think I may have convinced my dad to let me! I'm thinking I'll go with red since I'm not ready to go with blue and get a 1000mW laser, not just yet. So I was thinking any wavelength that appears "red", I'm not exactly sure which is the best wavelength to build with, will 650nm be fine? I'm thinking around the 50mW-200mW range. So basically if someone could link all the parts I'd need to build what I'm looking for. I have no real budget, I'll pay whatever I need to pay but it would be good if it could stay under $100 if possible. I could also consider using a JAD kit which I've heard is a lot easier since you just have to add the diode and it's not as difficult. I also remember being linked a thread on LPF all about "how to build a laser", I'll try looking through the stickies now but if you know where I could find this thread plus any other helpful tutorials/videos, please let me know.

Thanks,
Gun

EDIT: I've found THIS thread and THIS video that seem very useful, if there are any other good tutorials then please tell me :)
 
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Hey Gun. Good for you for wanting to build your own. Your post is bordering on the spoon-feeding, but I'll help you out.

It just so happens that I have the perfect diode and driver for your needs, and I'll hook you up w/ a fair price. Just check out my sales thread. It's one of DTR's inexpensive 650nm diodes and already soldered to the driver, set @ ~478mA.

The SL C-6 is a great and affordable host for this laser.

Let me know!
 
scumbagatheist said:
Hey Gun. Good for you for wanting to build your own. Your post is bordering on the spoon-feeding, but I'll help you out.

It just so happens that I have the perfect diode and driver for your needs, and I'll hook you up w/ a fair price. Just check out my sales thread. It's one of DTR's inexpensive 650nm diodes and already soldered to the driver, set @ ~478mA.

The SL C-6 is a great and affordable host for this laser.

Let me know!
Click to expand...

No worries I'll check it out now :)

EDIT: I think 300mW might be too much of a jump for me, I'm really wanting something around 100mW, sorry :(



Okay guys so I'm obviously going to need some help choosing parts but what do you think of THIS driver and THIS host? I don't know how good DX are so if you have a better place where I could buy parts let me know. I also still need help finding a good red module with lense around 50mW-100mW and Heatsink, recommendations would be greatly appreciated :)
 
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Hey guys, so I've made a couple of decisions as to what parts I'm going to buy for this laser and I was just wanting some feedback/confirmation as to if these are good choices. Basically I was going to get THIS C6 JAD kit from Mohgasm and then put in a 650nm LPC826 diode in an Axiz housing (I can't find the link at the moment). It's doing about 300mW at 500mA so if I was only wanting around 100mW I think I should request the driver to be set at 200mA? I was also going to replace the acrylic lens with THIS glass lens.

Any opinions/thoughts are much appreciated :)
 
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Gun said:
Hey guys, so I've made a couple of decisions as to what parts I'm going to buy for this laser and I was just wanting some feedback/confirmation as to if these are good choices. Basically I was going to get THIS C6 JAD kit from Mohgasm and then put in a 650nm LPC826 diode in an Axiz housing (I can't find the link at the moment). It's doing about 300mW at 500mA so if I was only wanting around 100mW I think I should request the driver to be set at 200mA? I was also going to replace the acrylic lens with THIS glass lens.

Any opinions/thoughts are much appreciated :)
Click to expand...

That is a better post, rather than "link me the stuff i need." You don't really have to get a glass lens for that power level. If you are looking for about 100mW, i would get the driver set to 200mA. It seems like a waste though, you could have 300mW of red in your hands. If you have good safety glasses you shouldn't be scared. You should still respect it, but not be scared.
 
Laik said:
That is a better post, rather than "link me the stuff i need." You don't really have to get a glass lens for that power level. If you are looking for about 100mW, i would get the driver set to 200mA. It seems like a waste though, you could have 300mW of red in your hands. If you have good safety glasses you shouldn't be scared. You should still respect it, but not be scared.
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I actually prefer lower powered lasers. I'd most of the time much prefer say a 30mW laser of any wavelength over a 500mW as it just means that I don't have to be as careful and I'm much more relaxed. If I want a "burning" laser I'm sure I'll buy/build it for that purpose but what I love about lasers is the colour and beam, not so much the burning capabilities.
 
You should treat all lasers over 5mW as very dangerous... because they are. If i had a choice between 500mW green and a 30mW green, i would go with the 500mW. I will feel safe around it (but still respect the dangers of it) because i would have a good quality pair of safety glasses.
 
Laik said:
You should treat all lasers over 5mW as very dangerous... because they are. If i had a choice between 500mW green and a 30mW green, i would go with the 500mW. I will feel safe around it (but still respect the dangers of it) because i would have a good quality pair of safety glasses.
Click to expand...

I don't think you understand where I'm coming from here, so I'm not going to bother :p.
 
you're on the right track with your plan. no shame in wanting not to go for the max power of the diode. good luck! maybe try 250mA from the driver....
bigger is not always better. tried to rep you but couldn't
 
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Gun, I get what you're saying. If you like, and it will help you out, I'll be happy to tune down the linear driver for you. Let me know if you still want my diode. It's on my sales thread.
 
Thanks cheech :)

SBA, if you could that would be great, although the one I was looking to buy is in an Axiz module which does make it a bit more appealing to me.

awillis, AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS! I might be interested, if you could get it through customs...and depending what it is. :)

I'm actually slightly leaning towards building/buying a 638nm laser now, I sort of prefer the more unique wavelength, however I still am very interested in building this 650nm! If Max could disassemble the laser somehow, what do you guys think of THIS laser?
 
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awillis knows his stuff :D He will definitily get it through customs :) IMHO i wouldn't worry about getting a 638nm laser if your not going to go at least 500mW. Like i said, that is just my opinion :)
 
Not sure why getting it over 500mW would make a difference, please explain. Does anyone else agree with Laik?
 
300mW of 638nm would be about as bright as your 30mW green module you just bought. I don't care about burning much, i just LOVE the beam! 50mW of 532nm is pretty nice, so it would take about 485mW of 635nm to have the same brightness. I would want one as bright as or even brighter than 50mW of 532nm because in my opinion your not really getting the full experience. See here: Beam: (638nm 291.48mw) vs. (532nm 30mw)
 
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