Lens spring replacement ruins a diode?

[laser83]

Ah, so another person can't repair/replace parts for a laser made by someone else? Unless they know the details of how it was made? That's all I was wondering. I thought maybe the builder could send me the diode and then I could send the laser to someone more local to be repaired; that's all I was wondering.

I definitely don't plan on doing this myself, after reading your advice. Although I'm definitely going to read the linked tutorials!

Thanks again!

 

[jayrob]

Your welcome...

There are many who would know how to repair it, but the builder has offered to do it at cost. If your in the LA area, check with daguin. I don't know if Dave would be willing to repair it for you, but he certainly has the skills needed...
Jay

 

[rog8811]

You may find someone in the US who could look at it for you but they will not stand behind the guarantee of the builder, so the choice is yours.

As Jay has said once you have built a few lasers your failure rate drops dramaticaly but open cans need more careful handling than any other type as all the fragile parts are exposed, not the laser to cut your teeth on IMO.

As to using the smaller spring, as well as being too small in diameter the effective coil length will be shorter, less diameter = less circumference, which means that the spring will become coilbound (pressed flat) much earlier and when it does that the coils bend all over the place as they have nowhere else to go, so they will have screwed there way into the front of the LD.
As you have stated yourself, if you lose the original sring you are better off with no spring than with a "nearly the same" one.

Regards rog8811

 

[LikeitBright]

Yeah, that sucks- but I can repair it for cost of parts and shipping, so around $12 for the LD and $5 for shipping.
LD are delicate critters. Die so easily!

 

[laser83]

I'm already checking these tutorials, it seems like it just takes proper equipment and good knowledge to do a build. I wished I had checked here first because I'm reading about warnings that might have helped...

Thanks for mentioning some local that does laser work. It would be great if I could meet with someone local and watch how it's done. I'll have to find out tomorrow when like it likeitbright gets back to me. You've been a great help and I really appreciate it.

 

[laser83]

Yeah, that sucks- but I can repair it for cost of parts and shipping, so around $12 for the LD and $5 for shipping.
LD are delicate critters.  Die so easily!

When I think about it, it's better to have the builder it fix it even it will take a little bit of extra time. That way they know exactly what they're doing. For the record likeitbright's laser was great so don't fault him. The fault rests on my failure to understand what an open can laser was and the precautions that entails. I'm just happy I can get it fixed for a reasonable price.

 

[LikeitBright]

[quote author=LikeitBright link=1235113235/16#19 date=1235122777]Yeah, that sucks- but I can repair it for cost of parts and shipping, so around $12 for the LD and $5 for shipping.
LD are delicate critters.  Die so easily!

When I think about it, it's better to have the builder it fix it even it will take a little bit of extra time. That way they know exactly what they're doing.  For the record likeitbright's laser was great so don't fault him. The fault rests on my failure to understand what an open can laser was and the precautions that entails. I'm just happy I can get it fixed for a reasonable price. [/quote]
Hey no worries. I'm using a different ld mounting method now which will make it much harder to damage the laser diode anyway!