Newbie here, looking to build a 1 watt blue. Where do i start?

[Golden Duck]

I have a 200mw red and a 100mw violet. I’ve picked up lasers as a more serious hobby during qurantine, and now i’m interested in building a 1 watt 445nm. Can anyone help me out a bit? Part recommendations, tutorials, etc. Just generally not sure where to begin my quest to build a 1 watt blue. And before anyone says it, yes i’ll pick up some quality laser glasses.

 

[Encap]

Please make a Welcome post in the Wecome subforum telling something about yourf=self.

You can buy a low cost complete easy to assemble host kit with everything but the diode module and lens from Survival Laser see: https://www.survivallaserusa.com/No-Diode_Host_Bundles/cat1667093_1540977.aspx

You can get a relatively low power 1.6W PLTB450B Blue diode module and lens from DTR here: https://sites.google.com/site/dtrslasershop/home or find one on ebay https://sites.google.com/site/dtrslasershop/home/diodes/osram-pltb450b-1-6w-450nm

 

[Golden Duck]

Alright thanks, i'll look into it. Also i made a welcome post.

 

[hakzaw1]

great advice from ENCAP-
I suggest putting a least a general location in your intro post as well in your profile.

Most of us have no members nearby-- I got involved with LEMs 9 yrs ago- my first was a good choice--SELEM is the best and biggest USA LEM- ...wow --got blown away--so much more aside from pointers. They might be a LEM near you--they happen world-wide.. If you can only attend one-- go to SELEM--after you will thank me and understand why SELEM is worth the cost.
I went to five in a row and missed a few but plan going to the next SELEM right now it is unclear about another this Aug. do a search-- lots of vids-
and some hits will be from another forum where SELEM and many more LEMs are organised... 'POP-UP' LEMs happen often w/o much lead time.
Even one with just a few members is an event worth attending.
Like many you may want to host one.. Most have only one complaint--it did not last long enough--SELEM has grown a lot--now >100 attendees and 5 days long!!

hope to meet you at any LEM we can attend--cheerz--Len in TX
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[Snecho]

Alright, here is a really straightforward tutorial:

If you need help selecting the host and driver options, don't be afraid to ask.

 

[Golden Duck]

I’ve seen that video already and it seems easy enough, only thing is the diode module. Can’t find it on DTR’s laser shop anymore.

 

[Encap]

See this thread: https://laserpointerforums.com/threads/osram-1-6w-pltb450b-450nm-laser-diode.87402/

THe M140 diode is no longer made but can be found on ebay

Use the OSRAM PLTB450B instead of M140--can buy from ebay with lens here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Osram-PLTB...opper-Module-W-Leads-Glass-Lens-/181301419508
Or drirectly for the DTR web site here: https://sites.google.com/site/dtrslasershop/home/diodes/osram-pltb450b-1-6w-450nm

All you need beyond that is the host bundle from Survival Laser metioned above or you can buy the parts from Survival Laser seperately as listed below the video on YT page

 

[Snecho]

I’ve seen that video already and it seems easy enough, only thing is the diode module. Can’t find it on DTR’s laser shop anymore.

That's the thing, the build has nothing to do with that specific "module." It shows you how to put together a C6 host and parts.

You can drop in any module you want. Any color and almost any power. You can choose what color you want, but since you want 445nm blue, you can pick almost any diode you want. There's a couple good ones you can drive to 1W. Just stick it in a 12mm DTR module w/ leads and you're good to go. You just need to double check all relationships between polarities, batteries, drivers, and diode.

Make sure the driver works with your diode and batteries, and then figure out what amperage to drive it at for 1W

You also get to choose what heatsink you want.

 

[Encap]

PS In the real world, while that old 2013 video does show the assembly of a Survival Lasers C6 host, the video is specifically about assembling a 1W laser using the separate Survival Laser parts including an M140 module and driver as indicated in the written subtitles on the video, and from the "show more " drop down under the video on the YT as follows:
"Links for Parts:
Driver: http://www.survivallaserusa.com/125A_...
M140 Laser Module: https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/...
C6 Flashlight Host: http://www.survivallaserusa.com/DIY_C...
Heatsink: http://www.survivallaserusa.com/Heat_...
This laser takes 2x RCR123a batteries Watch the video here for more help on how to build a 1W Blue laser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyfrNs... "

Being that you are very new to this hobby a low cost, good, and very easy to do start is the 1W 445nm build in the video.
Rather than confusing that build with other diode and driver possibilities/requirements, other heat sink choices. other battery choices, or other host choices that not a part of the video and making a first hand held laser assembly more complicated/confusing , the closest module w. diode and lens to the M140 diode, driver and lens assembly currently available from DTR that will work well with the same driver indicated in the drop down under the video, is the PLTB450B which will output approx. 1.5W driven by the same 1.25Amp output driver as in the parts list., mentioned above.

If you want the same M140 diode and module as in the video. it is currently available from a few sellers on eBay, see: https://www.ebay.com/itm/M140-M-Typ...083993?hash=item4b31fb0e59:g:vDAAAOSwN-la7LBu

Alternatively, have a look at LPF member Lifetime17's custom hosts--he can make assenbled hosts and all that is needed is diode module w. driver and lens here: https://laserpointerforums.com/thre...t-sinks-focus-adapters-lasers.100082/page-118

 

[gazer101]

As long as you give your diode the right current at the right voltage and press-fit it into a module that can wick away heat fast enough to prevent it from overheating, you can design your laser in whatever way you want. Some people even build lasers into Altoids cans lol

 

[Richie89]

off topic here, but I noticed your Lumintop GT pic. so youre a flashlight enthusiast like myself I have the GT Mini and GT micro but my favorite Lumintop is my Duke. I wish they would come out with another GT series with the Osram CSLNM1.TG. that would be wicked!

 

[Golden Duck]

Yea, lasers and flashlights go together. So anyway, everyone seems to be saying i should get a survival lasers host kit, and a PLTB450B diode module. So now my question is, which host kit should i get, and which options should i select for it? And the same for the module.

edit: I want to run it off of an 18650, and if the PLTB450B can get 1.5 watts, then i’ll go for that, or atleast a bit more than 1 watt if possible.

 

[Encap]

THe Survival Laser host kit and PLTB450B module was just a suggestion as an easy to do kit And the video shows someone assembling one.

See post #2 - the 2 links have you everthing needed for a 1.5W laser using a PLTB450B diode module except the battery---if you choose the 1.25A driver in the Survival drop down, the finished unit will output 1.5W using 1X 18560 battery.
If you choose the 1.8A driver you will get approx a 2W output but the assembly will generate more heat --on time vs off time (duty cycle) will be shorter.

If you buy the host only kit without the driver listed under the video--you need to buy the driver as a seperate part. See: https://www.survivallaserusa.com/125A_Diode_Driver/p1667092_7862117.aspx

Is up to you.

Be sure to have a look at Lifetime17's custom hosts--he can supply prebuit with driver--all you nee to do is install the laser module--he does great work and has many choices-you can PM him with any questions see: https://laserpointerforums.com/thre...t-sinks-focus-adapters-lasers.100082/page-118 click on the photo group in his signature to see 67 different photos of his wrok

 

[Golden Duck]

Given that this is my first really high powered laser, i think i’ll go with the 1.25A driver. I’ll build a more powerful laser in the future. But what about the diode module? The “Back Half & Lens Options”

 

[Richie89]

Given that this is my first really high powered laser, i think i’ll go with the 1.25A driver. I’ll build a more powerful laser in the future. But what about the diode module? The “Back Half & Lens Options”

hey there, yeah 1.25A would be a really good number. all you have to do is order the PLTB450B from DTR and go with half length, it really doesnt matter because even if you get the full length you can actually unscrew the back half anyways and use the front half. and lens, go with 3 element for better beam diveregnce or tighter dot but you sacrifice a little power because their is 3 pieces of glass for it to go thru, or go with G2 for more power but worse beam divergence. evryone loves the G8 so that would be a great choice as well. really any of them will still work as long as theyre not acrylic which he doesn't sell anyways. it really just depends on what you want the beam to look like or how much power you want.
here is the DTR actual picture for reference unless you have already seen it lol!.

 

[Encap]

What RIchie said above ^^^

Half back, solid is fine ---if the whole half back will fit into the heat sink do it--otherwise use just the front portion like the guy in the video does. Look at what the guy in the video assembling the C6 does --his module has a full back---he unscrews the back and just uses the front piece with the diode in it and locks it into the heat sink.- Not sure if there is even enough room in the design for a whole full back module in that C6 but half back may fit fine?
Have a look at the video about 2 min 4 seconds in where the guy installs the front portion of the module only into the heat sink after removing the back 3/4 of the module---the heat sink is much larger and better at dissipating heat than the back portion of the module anyway

Don't forget to order whichever lens you decide you want with the module from DTR--as Richie89 said --they are all good

Good luck over and out.