Has anybody tried using a laser from an old laser printer? I have a few I might try to scavenge if I find out they could be driven to a level of usefulness.
I have. They have a 4 pin low power IR diodes I never found any use for them.
However there's a Hexagonal mirror on a motor that's fun to play with.
Also if you remove the IR laser and replace it with a Green you have yourself a liquid sky affect.