Jetlasers B.E. adapter modifications for the PL-E series

[BowtieGuy]

There are many ways to adapt the Jetlasers Beam Expander adapters to function with the PL-E series of lasers.

I've heard, and seen where people have tapped the holes that are in the J/L's crown, then adjusting the screws back & forth until the B.E. looks centered.
To me, the problem with this is that you've altered your nice looking, and expensive laser! :cryyy:

I've modified 2 of the adapters that came with my 3X B.E.
They are different sizes, so the mods. for each are different.

Here are some pictures, and descriptions of how I modified mine.


First up is the smaller of the two adapters.

The smaller of the two adapters fits inside the crown.
I turned down the dia. of the adapter, then added a sleeve made from plastic (PVC pipe actually).
This makes for a nice snug, slip fit. I made the sleeve a couple of millimeters longer than the adapter,
so when installed in the crown, it would totaly block off the light escaping from around the reliefs cut in the crown.
I then drilled and tapped 3 holes that corresponded to 3 of the existing holes in the PL-E.
Then I attached it to the crown using 3 nylon screws.
Using the plastic bushing, and the nylon screws eliminates any possible damage to the laser.



Here are some pics of the other (larger) adapter provided by J/L.

This is a pic of my PL-E 445nm 1.5W, with a battery ext. tube, and the 3X B.E. attached. It's over 16.5" long!




The largest adapter had a 36mm I.D., so I bored it out to a little over 38mm (the PL-E crown diameter).
I added some black label tape (plastic) to the inside of the adapter for protection, and I also tapped 2 additional 3mm x 0.5mm holes, to utilize the existing holes in the PL-E.

NOTE: This adapter came with 3 equally spaced holes, which would work for a conventional crown, but not J/L's 5 pronged "attack" style.
I've also changed the existing metal screws to nylon, for this adapter too.

With both adapters modified, I can put one on each of my 445nm, & 532nm J/L's. Then just switch the B.E. back and forth as needed!

There are many ways to make these adapters work.
These mods. work for me, and I think they look pretty nice too.


:thanks: for looking

Jeff

 

[RA_pierce]

Good work.
I don't own one of these lasers but I really like how you used the plastic sleeve with the nylon screws.
+1 for a good idea.

 

[Lazerbeak]

That is such great work. The nylon screws are a nice touch, agreed

 

[Shakenawake]

I see you have an expansion tube for 2 batteries as well. that plus the BE makes this laser, what, as long as your forearm? I just parted with my PL-E to get a lasever build kit from jayrob. Here's hoping this build will fill the void left by my PL-E. I miss it

 

[BowtieGuy]

Thanks for the positive comments.

I see you have an expansion tube for 2 batteries as well. that plus the BE makes this laser, what, as long as your forearm? I just parted with my PL-E to get a lasever build kit from jayrob. Here's hoping this build will fill the void left by my PL-E. I miss it

That PL-E 445nm with ext. Tube and the 3x B.E. attached is quite the monster, it measures over 16.5 inches long!

 

[hakzaw1]

good job Jeff- actually all the first Pl-Es can threaded- I got one that was not and although I had only tapped threads in soft metal with common screws I picked up avery cheao set of taps and it was easy and looked ok-

BUT I was never thrilled about this method of attaching the adaptor- eve when done perfectly9 by aiming laser at ceiling while evenly tightening the screws) once to hold the laser horizontally th weigh of the BE pulls down and no more perfect alignment- i dod rotate the laser and at one point t was good. But IMO this is far from the ideal way-
THAT WAS achieved by JL only with one, sadly now discontinued model- the PL-D Pro.
both end threaded- just unscrew the crown and replace with adaptor and BE- done and done. I only have the one- a C-mount 635 at 400mW (Ospec to 450) & the BE make it much better- it is one of the reds in my avatar the other is also a 635 but only 200 mW- do you see any difference?? BTW those two will never be FS..


Great to see Jeff modding his-

due to the focus that may be hard to do for any old Pl-Cs-
But the unique internal focus of the Pl-Es is a non problem- Last of the 3X BEs are going fast at 50$ down from 70$ which was down form original price of $90 IIRC.
JL will have new designed BEs in three (or more) powers soon. expect the old higher prices..hope they find a better way to attach--



************ BUMP and post combine

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shakenawake
I see you have an expansion tube for 2 batteries as well. that plus the BE makes this laser, what, as long as your forearm? I just parted with my PL-E to get a lasever build kit from jayrob. Here's hoping this build will fill the void left by my PL-E. I miss it

for full effect see a Pl-E with extension tube and the 10X BE-

Is that a jetlaser in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?

I just ruined my 5555post count-- must dele some old posts..

sry for the double post--
will fix later-
jeff deserves some +_rep for this fine work- +3 from hak

will send link to Gray-- he will like what you have done-
i hated the scratched the set screws made on my BE adaptors.
Bad design--
nylon is way better
_____________

 

[BowtieGuy]

Hak,

Thanks for the +rep, and the J/L info. Nobody knows J/L like you do!
Also, t/y for the link to Gray, hope he will like the mods.

Can't wait to see what J/L has in mind for the "new" B.E's.

BTW - Congrats. on your 5555 post count! :beer:

P.S. - I hope that's just a J/L in your pocket! :crackup:

 

[Pman]

Great ingenuity and + rep for you.
Nice 5555 Hak! Still can't rep you again yet