Need help getting started

[guyfrom7up]

I'm going to be building my first laser ever!!! yayyy! And I don't want to screw up badly.

My budget is 30 dollars, only 30 dollars, but I think I can do it.

Me and my friend are both making on since this ebay deal comes with 2, is this a good deal and diode for making a burning laser?
hxxp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270185637923&fromMakeTrack=true
change the xx to tt
people keep on talking about this experiment and modification board, where is that?

Does anybody have a schematic of a cheap, few component power supply filter thingamabob? A pulse one would even be better, but I have no clue what kind of pulse the diode wants. I'm not sure how many volts these things take.

Would I need eye protection for this? It's not like I'm a hardcore laser guy, this would be my only one and I'd rarely use it.

 

[Things]

Firstly, welcome to the forum! those diodes look good for a DIY red. You will need a module to put them in, which can be bought from here http://sales.stonetek.org/, they are the aixiz housings As for the driver, are you good at electronics? you can build a driver circuit, or you can buy one premade, but it will cost more than $30 for a premade one. driver circuits and components/diagrams can be found on that site aswell. Goggles are deffinately reccomended for close up burning, but if it is just for pointing, they are not completely nessecary.

 

[guyfrom7up]

thanks for welcoming me to the forum! I'm pretty good at electronics, the only thing I'm not good at is with transistors, never could get them to work that well... I knew I needed some aixis housing, I guess my main question is what's the voltage and current of these diodes? Is there a schematic of how to make a pulsed drive system? It seems that the diodes are like 2x more powerful if pulsed. This laser is for burning things, not just for pretty colors. I heard you need eye protection because of the IR, would wearing ordenary glasses work? On an episode of mythbusters a sheet of glass block IR extremeley well.

 

[Gazoo]

Those are red laser diodes, they do not put out any IR. For circuits read through the experiments and mods section of this forum. You will find an easy to build driver using the LM317. Pulsed does not give as big of an advantage as one would think so don't worry about a pulsed driver. For eye protection the Wicked Laser Lasershades are the best. You will need them for burning.

http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/Red_650nm_LaserShades-49-16.html

I could not find a data sheet for this diode. I would think 160ma's would be safe since we are driving the SLD1236VL with 250ma's.

 

[guyfrom7up]

the seller suggest 2.7 volts at 150mA, would this diode be a decent burner?

for eye prtoection can I wear glasses, and sun glasses? Together shouldn't that provide protection? Glass from the IR, shades for the light? Are you sure they don't put out any IR?

EDIT: Another question, I can't seems to find a module to house a TO 18/ 5.6mm diode. I can only find 16mm and 9mm.

 

[Gazoo]

I know they do NOT put out any IR. I also suggest you read through the safety section of this forum. If your eyesight means anything to you....you will not skimp on eye protection.

You can get modules form Stonetek.

http://sales.stonetek.org/

 

[guyfrom7up]

those modules are 12mm in diameter though, will this fit in it?

 

[Gazoo]

That is the outer diameter of the module. The hole the diode goes in is made for a 5.6mm diode. You will need to press the diode into the hole. This thread explains how to do it:

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190209066

 

[guyfrom7up]

thankyou!

 

[Rhith]

A good way to do this while saving money and eliminates the need for creating a driver board is to house it in a flashlight body that already has a driver board. If you're looking for a good sized one that provides a nice power level I would say you should try out the River Rock flashlight. I have done my own venture with this same one and it looks great if you take the time to trim down your module. You can get the flashlight for about $9.99 at Target. Here are some pictures.

http://wirelesscord.com/displayimage.php?pos=-75
http://wirelesscord.com/displayimage.php?pos=-74
http://wirelesscord.com/displayimage.php?pos=-73
http://wirelesscord.com/displayimage.php?pos=-72
http://wirelesscord.com/displayimage.php?pos=-71

 

[guyfrom7up]

I do not follow what your saying. Are you saying if I buy this 10 dollar flashlight I don't have to build a case, switch and a board? Would voltages and ucrrent and stuff match up?

 

[Rhith]

Well diodes can handle a range of milliamps so something like this does indeed work. Many people enjoy the Dorcy Mini as a possible laser housing as well. Many of the flashlights that you see with have 1Watt LEDs on them which take about as much power as a diode may require. The River Rock does not power one as strong as other drivers may allow but it still provides a strong laser with the ability to burn. Here are two close up pictures of the driver that is found in the light.

http://wirelesscord.com/displayimage.php?pos=-69
http://wirelesscord.com/displayimage.php?pos=-70

And the Dorcy Mini has this driver under a black cap and below the whole LED Star piece.
http://wirelesscord.com/displayimage.php?pos=-119