"
With all the information here I might just have to build my own laser down the road. Looks like a good fun project (I like tinkering) that the kids would enjoy."
What kids?? anytime lasers are seen as "TOYS" or 'fun' we get worried..
while it is true the a 'button battery' red cat 'toy' is not really powerful enough to do harm- just having the idea they ALL are toys is crazy scary.
Only a fool would believe that children would not 'play' with your lasers when you are not home opr not watching= IF they are not mature enough to really appreciate the dangers then they are NOT ready.
Its human nature when a common flashlight seems to be failing to point it into our faces and turn ther light off and on- maybe bang it on our palm and try again but that is very bad with lasers and especailly DPSS like the green you have coming- Optronics I am sure has high quality IR filtration but not the cheapies- and it is possible for IR to come and NO green seen- - its not quite visible--
a 3$ 532 green pen can make more than 70 mW but a portion of that is IR. --
BUT doing projects with the kiddos is great and there are many done with low power lasers-&
not really expensive to build:
Laser Spiro
Laser Liquid Sky
Laser Tunnel EFX
Laser Lumia
and more--
BTW
consider ALL the 3$ pointer pens to be WAY too powerful for the younger folks with close supervision.
I ordered an Optotronics 30mw green pointer today. Should be fun. Next I will have to figure out how to build my own. Sounds like I will need a new soldering GUN (among other things).
?gun??
do you mean the ones that look like a pistol?? waste of $$- Pros use a 'soldering station' and the good ones are grounded so no worry about ESD< hope you fully understand what ESD is? (SEARCH-IT!)
A good station like those made by Hakk (no relation) are quick to get hot- stay at the temp you want and recover quickly-too hot is bad for doides and drivers etc- too cool- you get a 'cold joint' ...may look good but poor connection..
DO NOT try to build your first laser using an expensive diode- as you will likely fail- less pain when it is less $$.
You need to get at the very LEAST mediun quality safety goggles for the color you want and most also cover one more color- One set for all are VERY pricey- but do give almost complete protection.
you need:
a diode 'pressing tool' and how to use..
a dummy load to set current on your driver(if needed)
forget to 'short ALL 'caps' 'every time --just once= FAIL
heat sink ?? when do you need one?
AND..
a good DMM and adjustable power supply (& how to use both)
understand 'duty/rest cycle'
these are but a few of the thousands of questions asked and answered MANY times..
do not ask them again-
google/wiki/ Sam's Laser FAQ, the other laser forums, and the stickies at the top of EVERY section. The tutorials section is a great place to start.(for building)
Did you reasearch Optronics before you paid? & how much did that 30mW cost you?? heard rumors they are closeing down??:tsk: getting warranty work after a biz closes will not end well.-
:crackup::wtf:
-JK afaik they are not closing BUT many are--
Its very rare to see a trusted VET member leaving a buyer unhappy- BUt other newcomers are a risk- sad but true- an additional risk can come into play when you order working lasers from outside USA- and for SURE you NEVER want a battery to be sent w/ a laser crossing borders-dont do IT!
AND except when inside the 'intended device' (like a cell phone(BUT NOT A LASER)) ALL LI-Ions are banned at the USPS.
Check the LPF member map to see if another is near enough to get hands-on advice- there is also a 'LPM owning' member map ..very handy when you have none and wonder about the REAL output..(& its free too)
:beer:
welcome .hak
. Then I was helping a family member solder a bunch of circuit boards, another less experienced family member decided to help, got frustrated, decided to whack it on the counter a bunch in an effort to clean it thinking that would help their problem and broke it. Essentially, at one point in my life I could solder pretty well but it has been a while and I have no intention of refreshing my skills with expensive parts. 