ENX
0
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2011
- Messages
- 133
- Points
- 0
Happy Holidays LPF,
I hope I am the first to bring this host to the table…
I was out shopping earlier this week and like most of us, I am always on the lookout for new and/or different items to make into laser hosts. Some of the best places to look are your local hardware stores and at Christmas time they usually have all the fancy, holiday only, gadgets to use for stocking stuffers or last minute gift ideas.
Today I scored big time! I was at Home Depot browsing the gift section and found the perfect flashlight to use as a pen host. This thing had pen laser written all over it… and it was cheap too, so buying one to rip apart was a no brainer.
It is the Defiant LED Pen Light (# 1000 016 979) LINK TO HOME DEPOT: 2 pack plus 4 AAA batteries for under $5… SCORE!!! Note that it is only available in stores in limited quantities, not on-line, and for a limited time through the holidays.
Specifications: Black tube with silver head and tail, 150mm Length, 15mm Diameter, All Aluminum. Compared to my Newish and Chrome laser 2 x AAA (10440) Pens, this one is about 4mm shorter and 2 mm wider in diameter than the Newish, but the Chrome Pen is smaller and thinner. This is the only one of the 3 with a tail cap click type switch. (See photos at end of post for comparison)
The Build
Here are the build instructions and photos for anyone wanting an inexpensive pen laser. Total build time is about an hour and minimal skill is required. I already have a 9mm and a M140 built… These will make better stocking stuffers now
Requirements for build
Defiant Pen Host, 12mm Laser Module with Driver (I recommend DTR’s M140 or 9MM with X-Drive), Soldering Iron, Small Screw Driver, Brass Pipe (I use K&S Hobby Tubing #139 – It fits the 12mm Aixiz modules perfectly), JB Weld or other metal adhesive, Dremel tool or hack saw. Volt Meter or Continuity Tester, Sand Paper, 3.8” drill bit and drill, and 2 x 10440 Batteries.
Preparing the pill
Disassemble the pen removing the cap, LED module, reflector, and plastic lens.
Using a small screwdriver remove the LED circuit board from the LED module by prying in one of the open slots on the LED board.
There will be 2 wires connecting the LED board to the pill.
Cut the wires and remove the LED board.
With a blunt ended tool, carefully push through the module from the LED end and dislodge the pill from the aluminum module. The pill should only be held in place by friction and should pop out with a little force or tapping.
Using a small wire cutter, remove the wires, transistor, and IC chip from the surface of the pill, leaving only the solder spots. Leaving wires or components on the board can cause shorting.
Preparing the new module
Carefully remove the back section of the Aixiz module housing from the Laser Module.
Using a 3/8” drill, open the wire whole in the back of the module. Drill from the non-threaded end so you don’t mess up the threads in the module. This is so the pill can be seated at the end of the module without shorting to the Aixiz case.
Cut a small piece of K & S #139 size brass tubing 12mm in length.
This will fit snug over the end of the module and when then module is inserted into the pen cap, this will brace the pill and hold it at the positive end of the battery tube.
If you make this piece too long, the pen cap will not go completely on and could add space at the tip of the pen and prevent the lens from being screwed in far enough. Then your laser will not be able to be focused to a point.
Assembling the pieces
I use JB Weld to bind the brass cap to the drilled end of the module. Be sure to leave a very small extension past the end of the module for pressing in the pill.
Also it a good idea to test fit the module in the cap before everything has dried. The end should protrude 12mm to allow a tight fit in the host and the front of the module should butt to the front of the pen cap.
Carefully screw the module back onto the diode mount portion with the wires pulled through the end where the brass cap is. Cut the wires short enough to be able to solder the leads to the pill, but not too long that there is too much wire to fit inside the brass cap.
I cut my wires about ¼” in length. Using a voltmeter test for continuity between shown points and be sure there are no shorts. Solder on the leads as shown in the diagram and the carefully set the pill to the end of the module. The center of the pill should be positive. If you are using a positive or negative grounded module, adjust accordingly.
Slight pressure on a flat surface should set the pill into the brass fitting. Again test to be sure there are no shorts between + and -. Also test to be sure you have continuity between the out side of the pill and the module itself.
Note that you will need to remove the focus ring from the module’s lens before placing into cap.
You can opt to put thermal adhesive between the module and the cap and around the inside of the host head. I prefer to keep my module as is and just use short runtimes. This is my 9mm module ready to go.
If needed for your build, you can prepare the module’s lens focus ring by sanding the screw side of the knob making it a little thinner, different diodes and lenses allow for a little more length, but the 9mm with the short barrel glass lens requires a little trimming of the focus ring to achieve a good range of focus. I also use the stiffer springs for better focus control.
This will allow the lens to be focused to infinity or to a tight point. You can also opt to use the extended barrel lens if you do not want to trim the focus ring or if you want to use another type of focus adapter. A conical focus adapter might look cool and give the pen a finished look.
Notes on the pen’s switch: I like the rubber cover on the switch, however the cover can be removed and the switch will still function properly. Just work the cover from the side and it will come off. It is easy to get it back on.
When using a high powered diode, you should observe strict short runtimes and extended cool down periods. Both my 9mm and M140 can easily run for 15 seconds with out getting warm. Since these are new for me, I have not established limits, but just use good judgment and your diodes should last.
That’s it!
I hope you liked the build and some of you venture to purchase this host. I think they are a good option for someone wanting an easy pen host for one of DTR's ready to go modules. Feed back is appreciated.
Before and after...
Compared to my other pen lasers
As you can see, the new laser (middle) is comparable in size to the other pens on the market. I think I like my Chrome build a little better as I am partial to the side, momentary button, but considering price and ease of build, I will have a few more of these in my collection.
If anyone is having trouble finding these or needs some help with the parts or construction, shoot me a PM and I will try to help you out.
BTW: I bought a couple extra of these lights, so I should have some spares lying around after the holidays. I might even try to put a couple kits together for these and market them on LPF.
Be safe and I hope you all have happy holidays and a wonderful new year!
I hope I am the first to bring this host to the table…
I was out shopping earlier this week and like most of us, I am always on the lookout for new and/or different items to make into laser hosts. Some of the best places to look are your local hardware stores and at Christmas time they usually have all the fancy, holiday only, gadgets to use for stocking stuffers or last minute gift ideas.
Today I scored big time! I was at Home Depot browsing the gift section and found the perfect flashlight to use as a pen host. This thing had pen laser written all over it… and it was cheap too, so buying one to rip apart was a no brainer.
It is the Defiant LED Pen Light (# 1000 016 979) LINK TO HOME DEPOT: 2 pack plus 4 AAA batteries for under $5… SCORE!!! Note that it is only available in stores in limited quantities, not on-line, and for a limited time through the holidays.
Specifications: Black tube with silver head and tail, 150mm Length, 15mm Diameter, All Aluminum. Compared to my Newish and Chrome laser 2 x AAA (10440) Pens, this one is about 4mm shorter and 2 mm wider in diameter than the Newish, but the Chrome Pen is smaller and thinner. This is the only one of the 3 with a tail cap click type switch. (See photos at end of post for comparison)
The Build
Here are the build instructions and photos for anyone wanting an inexpensive pen laser. Total build time is about an hour and minimal skill is required. I already have a 9mm and a M140 built… These will make better stocking stuffers now
Requirements for build
Defiant Pen Host, 12mm Laser Module with Driver (I recommend DTR’s M140 or 9MM with X-Drive), Soldering Iron, Small Screw Driver, Brass Pipe (I use K&S Hobby Tubing #139 – It fits the 12mm Aixiz modules perfectly), JB Weld or other metal adhesive, Dremel tool or hack saw. Volt Meter or Continuity Tester, Sand Paper, 3.8” drill bit and drill, and 2 x 10440 Batteries.
Preparing the pill
Disassemble the pen removing the cap, LED module, reflector, and plastic lens.
Using a small screwdriver remove the LED circuit board from the LED module by prying in one of the open slots on the LED board.
There will be 2 wires connecting the LED board to the pill.
Cut the wires and remove the LED board.
With a blunt ended tool, carefully push through the module from the LED end and dislodge the pill from the aluminum module. The pill should only be held in place by friction and should pop out with a little force or tapping.
Using a small wire cutter, remove the wires, transistor, and IC chip from the surface of the pill, leaving only the solder spots. Leaving wires or components on the board can cause shorting.
Preparing the new module
Carefully remove the back section of the Aixiz module housing from the Laser Module.
Using a 3/8” drill, open the wire whole in the back of the module. Drill from the non-threaded end so you don’t mess up the threads in the module. This is so the pill can be seated at the end of the module without shorting to the Aixiz case.
Cut a small piece of K & S #139 size brass tubing 12mm in length.
This will fit snug over the end of the module and when then module is inserted into the pen cap, this will brace the pill and hold it at the positive end of the battery tube.
If you make this piece too long, the pen cap will not go completely on and could add space at the tip of the pen and prevent the lens from being screwed in far enough. Then your laser will not be able to be focused to a point.
Assembling the pieces
I use JB Weld to bind the brass cap to the drilled end of the module. Be sure to leave a very small extension past the end of the module for pressing in the pill.
Also it a good idea to test fit the module in the cap before everything has dried. The end should protrude 12mm to allow a tight fit in the host and the front of the module should butt to the front of the pen cap.
Carefully screw the module back onto the diode mount portion with the wires pulled through the end where the brass cap is. Cut the wires short enough to be able to solder the leads to the pill, but not too long that there is too much wire to fit inside the brass cap.
I cut my wires about ¼” in length. Using a voltmeter test for continuity between shown points and be sure there are no shorts. Solder on the leads as shown in the diagram and the carefully set the pill to the end of the module. The center of the pill should be positive. If you are using a positive or negative grounded module, adjust accordingly.
Slight pressure on a flat surface should set the pill into the brass fitting. Again test to be sure there are no shorts between + and -. Also test to be sure you have continuity between the out side of the pill and the module itself.
Note that you will need to remove the focus ring from the module’s lens before placing into cap.
You can opt to put thermal adhesive between the module and the cap and around the inside of the host head. I prefer to keep my module as is and just use short runtimes. This is my 9mm module ready to go.
If needed for your build, you can prepare the module’s lens focus ring by sanding the screw side of the knob making it a little thinner, different diodes and lenses allow for a little more length, but the 9mm with the short barrel glass lens requires a little trimming of the focus ring to achieve a good range of focus. I also use the stiffer springs for better focus control.
This will allow the lens to be focused to infinity or to a tight point. You can also opt to use the extended barrel lens if you do not want to trim the focus ring or if you want to use another type of focus adapter. A conical focus adapter might look cool and give the pen a finished look.
Notes on the pen’s switch: I like the rubber cover on the switch, however the cover can be removed and the switch will still function properly. Just work the cover from the side and it will come off. It is easy to get it back on.
When using a high powered diode, you should observe strict short runtimes and extended cool down periods. Both my 9mm and M140 can easily run for 15 seconds with out getting warm. Since these are new for me, I have not established limits, but just use good judgment and your diodes should last.
That’s it!
I hope you liked the build and some of you venture to purchase this host. I think they are a good option for someone wanting an easy pen host for one of DTR's ready to go modules. Feed back is appreciated.
Before and after...
Compared to my other pen lasers
As you can see, the new laser (middle) is comparable in size to the other pens on the market. I think I like my Chrome build a little better as I am partial to the side, momentary button, but considering price and ease of build, I will have a few more of these in my collection.
If anyone is having trouble finding these or needs some help with the parts or construction, shoot me a PM and I will try to help you out.
BTW: I bought a couple extra of these lights, so I should have some spares lying around after the holidays. I might even try to put a couple kits together for these and market them on LPF.
Be safe and I hope you all have happy holidays and a wonderful new year!
Last edited:
I might need to have a firesale to get some quick cash!