hi from Holland

[ralph9994]

wel im sorta new here so i will introduce myself.

wel my name is Ralph i live in holland. blalba and the rest you dont wanna know.

so lasers.... i bought my first and only laser from Dealextreme. a 30mw green laser. works great. it can pop a balloon. Just a normal colored ballon so no black balloons you see in the videos. and then i came across the video from kipkay you all know. called the "Laser Flashlight Hack!"

so i tought i wanna do that to(because it looked so easy to do.)

in his How-to PDF i came across the link to your website. an i discoverd that you guys say: DONT USE THIS GUIDE!! YOURE GONNA DIE etc etc. (or somthing like that)

so..... is the flashlight hack thing a good thing to start with?? (after i looked into lasers some more) or is there a better way to start off??

wel thats it.

greetz

 

[billg519]

Welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place for laser info and components. We have lots of info in our faqs and stickies, as well as searching the old posts. Sam's Laser Faq is another great source of laser info. Regarding the flashlight hack, this is not quite the right way to start. This device has no current regulating driver, so the diode usually burns out quickly. The only chance the diode has is if you use 2 x 1.2V rechargeable bartteries, so the diode only sees 2.4 V and doesn't run at full power. If you use 2 x alkalines, the diode burns. LD's are current controlled devices, so a current regulator is needed. An easy DIY driver is the LM317 or DDL driver, do a search on it. You can get a red diode right off the forum here from one of our vendors like modwerx. You can also buy a driver (current regulator) like a rkcstr or lavadrive. Read up some here, decide what laser you want to build, and you'll find what you need around here. Remember the need for eye protection.

 

[lasersbee]

to the Forum...
Bill9519 has just about said it all....

You will be better off by starting to read the FAQs and Stickies
and Laser Building Tutorials on the Forum before you start your
first build... It will be a lot cheaper that way (less blown Laser Diodes)

Don't forget to read the Newcomers section and the Forum Rules...
Enjoy your stay...


Jerry

 

[photonaholic]

Welcome to LPF. Enjoy your time with us here.

I have compiled a list of "must read" information, it will make your time with us more productive and pleasant.

Laser Resources (for n00bs and veterans alike!)

http://laserpointerforums.com/f36/looking-build-laser-read-me-47684.html

Sam's Laser FAQ (The Laser Bible)

Sam's Laser FAQ - Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Safety

RP Photonics Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology

Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology - an Open Access Resource of In-Depth Information, Free Articles, Nonlinear and Fiber Optics

I have included a handy guide to assist you in finding what you need.

 

[Greenmechanic]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[jasonx]

hello sorta, welcome to laserpointerforums thank you for joining here...

 

[AndyR]

Welcome ! Be sure to read around a bit, there's a ton of great information to be found here.

 

[KiLLrB]

Hello and welcome. I dont have anything to say that hasnt already been said. Enjoy your stay