Looking to build my first Blu-Ray laser

[DuctTapeAvenger]

Hi. I lurked here for a few days last year, and got as far as buying a few aixiz housings for a red burning laser before running out of cash and time. Flash forward to now, and I think I'm ready to finally build a laser. The Blu-Ray lasers seem pretty cool, so I thought it might be a fun project. I found a kit on ebay that has the diode pre-mounted in what looks like an aixiz housing, and has parts and directions to build a driver. I won't post a direct link since I don't want to look like I'm trying to advertise it, but if you search for "150mW 405nm Blu-Ray Blue-Violet Laser Diode Module Kit", it's the one that comes with the "free 10 parts adj. Driver kit". I figured a cheap kit might be best to start with in case I cook something, so I wanted to see if anyone had any experience with it. I'm sure I could probably piece together something better from parts on here, but I'm still on a tight budget, so I'm trying to keep it low cost for a first attempt.

Thanks for your help!
Nick

 

[jayrob]

I've got a nice kit that I call my 'Pocket Mini'...

It has an option which would include the driver pre-mounted and current set. But you would still need some basic soldering skills.

Also, you would have to mount a diode into an AixiZ module. I sell PHR blu-ray sleds with the kits for $15 and AixiZ modules for $5. But I don't do the diode harvest. There are some here who sell the diodes already mounted into the module.

Here's the kit:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1231664443/0
Jay

 

[DuctTapeAvenger]

That looks like an extremely nice kit you have there! Unfortunately, it's a bit out of my price range :'( Thanks for sharing it. Depending on how my first one goes, once I get more cash, perhaps I'll get to try one

 

[DuctTapeAvenger]

I decided to pass on the kit I was looking at, and go for a couple diodes from drew on here. I'll be ordering a driver soon, and then I get to piece together the rest of it. I'm sure I'll be full of questions as I build both lasers.