Is it worth it?

[GSS]

What? Don't you use your lasers inside and leave burn marks everywhere like the rest of us do? :crackup: Just joking, I learned real fast that my class 4 lasers are a fire hazard, I only made a few burn marks. You can safely use your lasers inside, get a sheet of metal like from an old computer or something, or a concrete block or a brick or some ceramic tile, if you don't have anything laying around then go to a Lowe's or a Home Depot and look for something.

Alan

LOL Im no angel by any means. I have yet to accidently set anything on fire but ive done a few controlled burning marks on some doors and furniture just to give my place the lived in laser look.:shhh: with all do respect to safety! Yes these class IV can sure start something fast, faster than your safety glasses will let you see. "Like I have to say this to all the laser maniacs". I have picked up a few good back stops though, not at Lowes but Home depot. I got a few ceramic 12'' by 12'' kitchen tiles and painted the backs flat black. One off them I siliconed it to a 10" by 3 ft. long round tube of the thick cardboard use for cementing posts in place, keeps it from rolling and it makes a descent tube to enclose and see the beam. Vanilla Gorilla on this forum gave me the idea. Im running out of things to burn though, well the fun things......By the way Pi, a "few" burn marks?

 

[NightExplorer96]

Well, decided to just get a 447nm labby instead. Ugh this OCD sucks! Keep thinking about it

I just can't justify $500 for 5mW's of 593.5, plus Adam is giving me free shipping on the labby yay!

Happy Alex :yh:

-Alex

 

[GSS]

Hap thats great and I think the best idea

 

[NightExplorer96]

Hap thats great and I think the best idea

Indeed haha! Thanks Pete

-Alex

 

[Laser Chick]

Congrats on your new buy.
You want a fun and practical hobby with skills that will probably be needed to be applied soon.... Paintball
It has many great positives; teamwork, problem solving, exercise, learning to make snap decisions, shooting skills, firearm disassembly and cleaning, tactical thinking, how to handle stress and pressure and in a sense = firearm training.
So not if but when the sh!t hits the fan, you will have gone through the training, stress and experience of who gets shot and killed, you or the enemy.

BTW, yes there is but at the same time, is not a world of difference between using a HK416 and a paintball gun. You learn how to minimize movement, watching out for being backlit, learn to keep a small profile( keep your dang elbows down) when to take the shot, learning to instantly spot friend or foe and improve reaction time. Many people are pros at shooting off a bench at paper but put them under fire and they crumble and are the first ones shot ... worthless... smh

Enjoy your new laser when you get it :beer:

 

[NightExplorer96]

Congrats on your new buy.
You want a fun and practical hobby with skills that will probably be needed to be applied soon.... Paintball
It has many great positives; teamwork, problem solving, exercise, learning to make snap decisions, shooting skills, firearm disassembly and cleaning, tactical thinking, how to handle stress and pressure and in a sense = firearm training.
So not if but when the sh!t hits the fan, you will have gone through the training, stress and experience of who gets shot and killed, you or the enemy.

BTW, yes there is but at the same time, is not a world of difference between using a HK416 and a paintball gun. You learn how to minimize movement, watching out for being backlit, learn to keep a small profile( keep your dang elbows down) when to take the shot, learning to instantly spot friend or foe and improve reaction time. Many people are pros at shooting off a bench at paper but put them under fire and they crumble and are the first ones shot ... worthless... smh

Enjoy your new laser when you get it :beer:

Thanks!

-Alex

 

[H2Oxide]

Congrats on your new buy.
You want a fun and practical hobby with skills that will probably be needed to be applied soon.... Paintball
It has many great positives; teamwork, problem solving, exercise, learning to make snap decisions, shooting skills, firearm disassembly and cleaning, tactical thinking, how to handle stress and pressure and in a sense = firearm training.
So not if but when the sh!t hits the fan, you will have gone through the training, stress and experience of who gets shot and killed, you or the enemy.

BTW, yes there is but at the same time, is not a world of difference between using a HK416 and a paintball gun. You learn how to minimize movement, watching out for being backlit, learn to keep a small profile( keep your dang elbows down) when to take the shot, learning to instantly spot friend or foe and improve reaction time. Many people are pros at shooting off a bench at paper but put them under fire and they crumble and are the first ones shot ... worthless... smh

Enjoy your new laser when you get it :beer:

Yeah, but taking one feels like getting punched.
(Well, depending on proximity)

 

[10fenny]

I second laser projector... Most fun with lasers you can have.
Look up pangolins quick show. I just ordered it from aixiz and waiting delivery!!!

 

[Laser Chick]

Punched and sometimes bruises/welts about an hour later.
Helps to wear several layers of durable clothing. I always wrap my neck good because a close proximity shot to the neck is not a good time.
All the more incentive for "better to give than receive"

 

[OVNI]

If you're looking for other hobbies, chemistry is a fun and intellectual hobby.

I had to respond to this one. I've been taking several days off over the recent holidays to watch Breaking Bad, i.e. no internet, lasers, other stuff. I never saw a single episode when it ran, don't watch TV much at all in general. Only reason I sampled an episode is Apple TV was down when I wanted to watch a movie and I also have Netflix.

I do like the series. Decided to watch the last two seasons first and am now working my way up chronologically. I'm the type that reads spoilers, or the last chapter first, and then watch for the clues that are invariably planted by the writers. It's a lot like watching a movie twice.

As for me, electronics has been the primary hobby. But I also enjoy driving fast cars. But they get expensive to repair. Not sure if I'll buy another one. Just now getting into lasers.

 

[Ricker]

Hap, I hear you! Sometimes it's hard to justify spending all this money for a couple minutes of "light." BUT like that smart fella said, it is what you make it! I've come to the point where I've pondered why bother with this? I feel it's the amount of time it takes up + the amount of happiness/excitement that arises during the hobby that ='s a hobby worth while.

For me, I'm now getting into the building stage of lasers, and I can't be more excited! I've been buying this and that and such and such for what'll I'll need, reading endless threads on beginners builds, and watching youtube for videos able how electricity works in small components. I didn't realize there was so much involved! I have a good understanding on wiring in a household, but for individual appliances; that's a whole other story! I still have far to go and I'm sure my first build will be damn exciting! But, it's what you make it!

Good luck Hap!
Nate

 

[NightExplorer96]

Hap, I hear you! Sometimes it's hard to justify spending all this money for a couple minutes of "light." BUT like that smart fella said, it is what you make it! I've come to the point where I've pondered why bother with this? I feel it's the amount of time it takes up + the amount of happiness/excitement that arises during the hobby that ='s a hobby worth while.

For me, I'm now getting into the building stage of lasers, and I can't be more excited! I've been buying this and that and such and such for what'll I'll need, reading endless threads on beginners builds, and watching youtube for videos able how electricity works in small components. I didn't realize there was so much involved! I have a good understanding on wiring in a household, but for individual appliances; that's a whole other story! I still have far to go and I'm sure my first build will be damn exciting! But, it's what you make it!

Good luck Hap!
Nate

very true!

-Alex

 

[H2Oxide]

I had to respond to this one. I've been taking several days off over the recent holidays to watch Breaking Bad, i.e. no internet, lasers, other stuff. I never saw a single episode when it ran, don't watch TV much at all in general. Only reason I sampled an episode is Apple TV was down when I wanted to watch a movie and I also have Netflix.

I do like the series. Decided to watch the last two seasons first and am now working my way up chronologically. I'm the type that reads spoilers, or the last chapter first, and then watch for the clues that are invariably planted by the writers. It's a lot like watching a movie twice.

As for me, electronics has been the primary hobby. But I also enjoy driving fast cars. But they get expensive to repair. Not sure if I'll buy another one. Just now getting into lasers.

Never seen it myself, though I do know the plot. While I'm sure it's a good show, it's a shame it became so popular.

I don't even do experiments or synths outside anymore, despite living out in the country, because I'm worried that one of the neighbors will see me and call the cops because they think I'm making drugs.

 

[Laser Chick]

Chemistry is one field I have never dabbled in but it is amazing. Mix several things and get that. Heat this and stir that, add this and this, be careful to add this first and then that and it will release the gas that you want to create.
I tip my hat to all chemists far and wide!! :gj: