Tutorial - My 'Pocket Pal' Blu-ray Laser!

[LRMNmeyer]

Would I be able to use electrical tape if I pay attention to it and check the tape every once in a while?

 

[daguin]

Would I be able to use electrical tape if I pay attention to it and check the tape every once in a while?

You CAN do whatever you want. Shrink tubing is just better than tape.

Peace,
dave

 

[jayrob]

Here's another source for a good deal on heat shrink tubing. I bought this assortment pack. It's nice to have a box with different sizes and colors. Most of it is the 1/16" size, which is the size you will use the most for building lasers!
Jay
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-...-HEAT-SHRINK-TUBING-ASSORTMENT-154-PCS/1.html

 

[k-shell]

Thank you for this guide, i just built two pocket pal's and they work very well! on a scale of 1 - 10 for difficulty id have to say this was an easy 3!

Cheers.

 

[delewareboy]

So, in total, does this take enough machining that a first timer would screw it up or is it really easy?

 

[LRMNmeyer]

So, in total, does this take enough machining that a first timer would screw it up or is it really easy?

Well, I did. :'( Most people would kill the diode, but I somehow killed the driver. It ended up not working for me, so now I'm down $100. I would recommend the MXDL sidebutton for you to do.

 

[Spyderz20x6]

So, in total, does this take enough machining that a first timer would screw it up or is it really easy?

It's pretty hard to build...
I wouldn't recommend it for your first build...

 

[thesk8nmidget]

i also wouldnt recommend for your first build if your not very familiar with small components and tight spaces.

 

[delewareboy]

What tutorial would you recommend for a first laser then?

 

[Davo]

i refered to this tutorial when i built my first laser, and now i have a burning BR @100ma and just ordered another driver which will be set @150ma for my next br

 

[jayrob]

What tutorial would you recommend for a first laser then?

My MXDL side button tutorial is easier!
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1217045236

The only thing is, the hosts are back ordered at DX...

But I just found another source for some silver ones!
http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/mxdl-luxeon-flashlight-fl3wv4-p-391.html
Jay

 

[delewareboy]

Thanks.

 

[jayrob]

Update on that other source I mentioned above for the side button hosts...

They are back ordered too!

I finally just went and found a different side button host. It's a better build too! (but not as easy)
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1222931054/0
Jay

 

[lamborgini8]

The assembly order for the top end would be heatsink > rubber ring > plastic cut out end placed in opposite direction and then the driver right?

I found that it doesn't fit in the torch in that order unless I remove the rubber ring.

 

[thesk8nmidget]

i personally do not use the o-ring

out of the 3-4 different suppliers of these pocket pal hosts that i have used all of them have different sized(and style) plastic pieces.

you just have to make sure the pins from the diode will not hit the driver

 

[Spyderz20x6]

The assembly order for the top end would be heatsink > rubber ring > plastic cut out end placed in opposite direction and then the driver right?

I found that it doesn't fit in the torch in that order unless I remove the rubber ring.

Same problem here...
I had to remove the silver plastic thing. For red diodes, i just remove the metal washer.