~Laser Build~HELP!

[Jackbar11]

Hello,
I watched KipKay's video on how to make a Lighter Laser and decided to go ahead and try to make one. (Cheapy Lighter Laser Burner | Kipkay Videos) I decided that I would make it inside an old fake zippo I found instead. I got most of the parts but I'm not sure on a few of them. I was hoping someone on this forum could help. I will list all the parts I have so far below.

Laser Housing: (Amazon.com: Mini Blue Laser 405nm 5mw 8x13mm exclusive AixiZ: Everything Else)
I removed the laser and driver that are already installed in this housing to put a better laser diode in it. I am also going to machine out a piece of brass or aluminum to act as a bigger heat sink and to hold the laser housing in place in the zippo.

Laser Diode: (808nm 200mW High Power Laser Diode 5 6mm to 18 Package | eBay)
I bought this because it was the cheapest I saw but I don't really understand what the different nanoMeter measures are. I want a diode that is between 200 - 300 mW (unless there is a better diode that is cheap and goes with the rest of my parts).

Laser Driver: (New 808nm Laser Diode Driver 3 3 7V Reverse Protection | eBay)
Wasn't sure if I needed a specific driver for a specific nM.

Button: (Mini SPST 0.5-Amp Momentary Switch (4-Pack) : Momentary Switches | RadioShack.com)
Just a button, not sure if there are any problems with it.

Those are all the parts I have. I'm not sure if I am missing anything. I am using a different driver and laser diode than KipKay did so I'm not sure of the changes I need to make. He used a 150mW laser module but I want mine to be a little stronger. He also used a resistor and I wasn't sure if I need one too. I know I probably made a lot of stupid mistakes in the parts I ordered and that is why I need help. If anyone knows any cheap parts that are better than what I already listed above, please reply with links. Not sure if I need to say this but I am powering this laser with button cell batteries (not sure how many) like KipKay did, they will be stuffed inside the zippo.

 

[ARG]

Housing - You could've just bought an aixiz module

Diode - Nanometers are a measure of wavelength (The color of the light) in your case 808nm is IR light. It's almost invisible to the human eye, you'll only be able to see a dim red llight even though it is MUCH more powerful than it appears.

Driver - Set the current and short the output before hooking it up

Button - 0.5A should be enough

You'll also want a heatsink. A 12mm CNC rail mount works wonders.

 

[TheDukeAnumber1]

Take what KipKay says with a grain of salt, in the video he was pointing the laser at his own face. But your on the right path and it will at least be good experience putting this together. Do stay safe though, the wrong eye-shot and you can lose vision, and the only real way to stay safe is to get laser goggles.

 

[Jackbar11]

Hi ARGLaser,
The reason I picked this housing was because I wanted a small one that would fit inside the top of the zippo. I am also going to machine out a piece of aluminum or brass that is an oval shape that the housing will slide into that will fit into the top of the zippo to act as a heat-sink and to hold the housing in place. The wires from the diode will run through the little hole that the wick used and go to the driver. I am still unsure if I need a resistor between the diode and the driver like KipKay did in his video. I also don't know what you mean by "set the current and short the output". I don't really know much about drivers and other circuits but I hope to learn, eventually. I was also wondering if you know a good laser diode that will fit into my housing. When I purchased the diode that I have, I didn't know that 808nM would be almost invisible. I thought that the higher the number, the bigger and more visible the beam. I wanted a diode with a visible beam that is blue, unless different colors are better. I'm not really looking to spend too much on the diode but I wanted a decent one that can burn most things and not only very dark materials. If you know a diode that will work with my driver please reply with links to it. I also wanted to ask if I need a special focusing lens, right now all I have is the one that came with the housing.

I also checked out your YouTube channel and I really like your pen laser into a burning laser video.

:thanks::thanks::thanks::thanks::thanks::thanks:

 

[ARG]

The closer to appx 555nm the brighter the beam will be

You could easily use a 10$ LOC diode for this, they are 660nm. (red)
Setting the current involves turning the variable resistor to get the output current you desire, there are lots of tutorials on how to do this with a dummy load so you don't fry the driver
Shorting the output just means touch the two wires together before connecting you diode to drain any residual voltage left in the capacitors, as that can be deadly to the diode.

 

[matthewl]

it seems that u have no lens of window glass,i m not sure if u need it, under some circumstance of ur application,it is not need.