Optics Bench - DIY for $50 and 2 hours

[stevetexas]

Here was my afternoon project - more details later

 

[stevetexas]

sorry for the bad photo quality. Anyway, here are the lens holders for the IR filter and the ND filter in front of the meter. They swing out of the way independently so you can test IR without moving anything but the IR filter.

 

[stevetexas]

I'll be replacing these crappy clamps with laboratory pipette holders to hold the lasers.

 

[stevetexas]

all the parts were bought at Home Depot and it took about 2 hours to build - I'll post details if anyone wants to build one.  

 

[stevetexas]

I'm going to get a pipette clamp (the 3 fingered ones) later to hold the laser but I couldn't find one at Home Depot today...

 

[stevetexas]

Here my ND filter is starting to melt I think... :'(
Seriously - there were "rings" that expanded with the reflection of the beam. It went over 300mW before I could stop it...

 

[timelord]

That's a very nice setup you have there i love that power meter you have there too. How much do they cost???

 

[SenKat]

Check em out at LPF - there is also one on Ebay from the guy that made them ! I am assembling my serial data cable right now....slow goins since I am so wiped out But I GOTTA get it done !

 

[stevetexas]

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=160728

here's the link for the meter.

 

[SenKat]

Thanks, Steve - I was mugged by my daughter wanting to get on the web !

 

[stevetexas]

Here is the output of a leadlight I modded in January...