How to make your way overspec $5 pen focusable + new bonus section added

[Pman]

I'll have to take a look at that module compared to the host since I have both. As I said, you can always remove the plastic piece and recover it to give youself space. Need to keep checking to make sure that you are getting good conductivity between host and that positive to diode connector.

 

[Lazerbeak]

That's been on my mind quite a bit. I'm thinking I have to short the switch once I can fit the module in the head and yeah, find a good way for the positive to make contact with the host. I'm assuming the tailcap switch will work accordingly then.

~ LB

 

[Pman]

Shorting the switch is very simple. Just solder a small wire across the switch on the right side. Tail cap/Switch will work just fine.

 

[Lazerbeak]

Thanks a lot Pman I saw 4 contacts there and was a bit unsure

_________________________________________________

Right side with the LD facing forward?

~ LB

 

[AlexStyl]

Pman, do you suggest anything else than a pen?

 

[Pman]

Look at post #16
http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/mini-review-50mw-green-module-fasttech-80522.html

You could do this with other lasers that are not pens but almost every laser I have that isn't a pen is already focusable. Have a particular unit in mind? You could certainly cut open the pen and use the module in something else and still glue a piece to the lens to make it focus. Some flashlights and flashlight hosts come focusable. You would need to build it as focused to infinity first and then figure out the lens to cap attachment. Might be a huge pain or easy depending upon a ton of different factors.

 

[Lazerbeak]

My 10 pk of 405's just came in from China..

ordered 6/1 arrived 6/14

Looks the same as the CA lasers except for a holographic QC passed sticker and visually seems a bit brighter. Will crack one open tonight and update on the guts inside

~ LB

 

[Pman]

Who did you order from? Have a good chance that they have the easier to focus lens in them. If they do, just turn the lens out enough to try burning something. I recommend not getting closer than a couple inches to the lens as you are always trying to avoid getting crud on them. Seems next to impossible to clean one of these plastic lenses without scratching. I use canned air but if that doesn't work, your lens is hosed. Only lenses I've messed up are ones I accidentally touched with something. Check and see if the clip is exactly the same as even though it may look the same, a lot of times the little star is not in the same position or the writing is not quite the same.
You should know though as soon as you get the front cap off.

 

[Lazerbeak]

Ebay seller topsaleslily. It seems higher quality than the CA pointers. heavier with no battery rattle. I'll post results once I get home from work

~ LB

 

[Pman]

Great! Wish you had an LPM

 

[Lazerbeak]

I know, I'm up for sending one to you in the interests of science. would be in 2 weeks though. I went way overboard this month

Probably be faster than ordering from China. I know they're overspec just don't know how much.

Edit...

Yay! Looks like the originals with metal cap and focusable

Edit...

Added pictures of my very delicate extraction process

Much higher quality than the previous pen by a large margin. Note the full sleeve and metal tab for host contact rather than a free floating frayed wire. Nice.

Edit...

I scored the LD sleeve with a needle file, I was really worried about being to gung ho and damaging the LD. After I had a nice groove in there I worked a flat head precision screwdriver around the rim and jammed it in between the LD and sleeve. Nice clean break and just broke the glue bond and removed the sleeve

When I get up the nerve, I'll short the switch and insert it all into the host. I already shortened the spring and wrapped a little electrical tape around the diode to keep the negative lead from shorting it all...

Edit...

Yay! I totally thought I overheated the diode shorting out the switch but luckily not. I'm temporarily holding the LD in there with electrical tape because it keeps wanting to pop out. I'll put together a more formal thread once I figure out the extension part of it, but the foundation is there.

Mucho Thanks Pman on your help and guidance through the process!!!! :beer: Really appreciate all you shared and the extra help you gave me. I'm pretty stoked it actually lases

~ LB

P.S. I still have no idea how you got it all in there Pman :thinking:

 

[Pman]

I got it all in there because I used the module out of a single AAA pen
Looks good on the pens. Might just be the new source. Looked at their stuff and the red ones in the 3 pack are very likely like a few I bought from someone else that are only around 10-15mw

 

[AlexStyl]

I destroyed mine(3xof them) due to not having a strong glue. No problem, ill buy more, until i get it!

 

[Pman]

The proper glue and mix is extremely important. There are so many types of epoxy out there. I must have close to 10 different ones. Never tried it with anything but the one that I showed a picture of but I'm sure some of my others would work. A 5 minute one is what I prefer to work with as it cures hard enough and quickly enough to get ready for the next step in the process otherwise you are waiting forever to make sure it is cured.

 

[Lazerbeak]

Ah, the single AAA module. Next month on that and some different battery sizes :thinking:

I needed the 405 for this project anyway

We'll check out topsaleslily's other stuff too

~ LB

 

[LiGhTMaGiCk]

So I ordered the set of three from cjy3271788 and they are not focusable and the only one that seems bright at all is the 532nm green. Needless to say I am disappointed but I can't be too surprised.