Hey everyone! I've been studying DIY lasers for a while, and have recently decided to build my own! I've recently installed a 200mw 650nm diode in an Aixiz housing. After realizing how EVIL[smiley=evil.gif] the minimag flashlight hack is, I've decided to build a driver based around the LM317T transistor. I'm a bit nervous about the soldering to the diode :-/ , so if anyone has any tips they'd be appreciated! 
Instead of using a flashlight as a host, I'm probably just going to use a radioshack project box. I know that probably sparked a memory of felesmagus.com, but I will make mine much neater. You guys probably get posts like this one a lot 
I also have a quick question: will the Aixiz housing be enough of a heatsink for my diode? Or should I use something in addition? Right now I'm still basking in the awesomeness of the prospect of burning stuff with a laser. I hope to be on these forums quite a bit. Thanks for reading!
Xamizer
Instead of using a flashlight as a host, I'm probably just going to use a radioshack project box. I know that probably sparked a memory of felesmagus.com, but I will make mine much neater. You guys probably get posts like this one a lot I also have a quick question: will the Aixiz housing be enough of a heatsink for my diode? Or should I use something in addition? Right now I'm still basking in the awesomeness of the prospect of burning stuff with a laser. I hope to be on these forums quite a bit. Thanks for reading!
Xamizer
