What's the cheapest you can go?

[cmak]

lots of very useful information shared in this thread... may I suggest a sticky? (with a different thread title ofc)

 

[hakzaw1]

lots of very useful information shared in this thread... may I suggest a sticky? (with a different thread title ofc)

I agree a sticky would be great--.......................I hate to post in these threads just to be able to find them later via my old posts--great info --thanks to all--HZ ................................... btw is the ANY use trying to use stepper motors for a home-brew-music controlled laser show--or is that just a boring/impractical idea??Anyone wanting steppers to experiment with just let me know-I will send free for postage and info for my use. Or you can harvest them from printers and scanners like I have.

 

[ossumguywill]

I agree a sticky would be great--.......................I hate to post in these threads just to be able to find them later via my old posts--great info --thanks to all--HZ ................................... btw is the ANY use trying to use stepper motors for a home-brew-music controlled laser show--or is that just a boring/impractical idea??Anyone wanting steppers to experiment with just let me know-I will send free for postage and info for my use. Or you can harvest them from printers and scanners like I have.

I saw a picture where stepper motors were used in a scanner and it could not make sharp edges, like for pictures. The motors tend to swing past their stopping point a bit.

will

 

[hakzaw1]

I got a DJ RGY as=is on ebay with a misalignment issue- cheap- opened it up and is has two steppers- no galvos- ran it a few times for a few minutes then both lasers failed to come on the next time It tried it. patterns- move to music- dip switches and dmx plugs-i think it can be fixed.--I find a link and add it .--HZ

 

[hakzaw1]

I saw a picture where stepper motors were used in a scanner and it could not make sharp edges, like for pictures. The motors tend to swing past their stopping point a bit.

will

3-Color Laser Light 140mw RGY Active DMX DJ Disco cL-16 - eBay (item 200436515832 end time Mar-08-10 12:00:06 PST) this is just like the one I got but a different maker says-- 'micro-step scanners' IIRC I got it for about half due to alignment problem--I either need to fix it myself(if I can) or find a LPF member who can work on it. I think there room in there to add a BR and a dichro. right now i'd settle for RGY .--HZ

 

[ossumguywill]

3-Color Laser Light 140mw RGY Active DMX DJ Disco cL-16 - eBay (item 200436515832 end time Mar-08-10 12:00:06 PST) this is just like the one I got but a different maker says-- 'micro-step scanners' IIRC I got it for about half due to alignment problem--I either need to fix it myself(if I can) or find a LPF member who can work on it. I think there room in there to add a BR and a dichro. right now i'd settle for RGY .--HZ

cool. They could be using special steppers, I don't know, but see if you can get it to draw shapes without throwing.

will

 

[Diablo2k]

First I want to say I have very little electronics skills but I am really wanting to learn more and also I would really like to get into laser scanners/projectors. (actually I do know the basics, Parallell and series circutes, Household wiring ect. I could easily build a scaneer useing some Rheostats motors and mirrors and even add a speaker to make it sound adjustable, but I want something more. However I can't spell woth a damn)
laser show galvo scanner CW20K Scanning galvanometer - eBay (item 120504497356 end time Mar-10-10 00:53:48 PST) looks like somehere I can start as well as alot of searching and alot of quistions.

 

[ossumguywill]

First I want to say I have very little electronics skills but I am really wanting to learn more and also I would really like to get into laser scanners/projectors. (actually I do know the basics, Parallell and series circutes, Household wiring ect. I could easily build a scaneer useing some Rheostats motors and mirrors and even add a speaker to make it sound adjustable, but I want something more. However I can't spell woth a damn)
laser show galvo scanner CW20K Scanning galvanometer - eBay (item 120504497356 end time Mar-10-10 00:53:48 PST) looks like somehere I can start as well as alot of searching and alot of quistions.

you might need some more advanced electronics skills to make the kits required to control galvometers... or at least have decent soldering skills.

will

 

[carmangary]

Since there are so many questions from beginners I am thinking of putting up a page on my website that talks about the different DIY options for scanners, how to hook them up, safety concerns, all the software and hardware required, etc. All of the information is already out there but it is scattered all over the place and usually deep inside of a forum thread. I think it will be helpful to have a single page (or pages) with all of the info.

 

[LSRFAQ]

If you feel the need to understand the hard ware, one Elm Chan has built the ultimate diy galvos:

ELM - Home Built Laser Projector

but when you see the amount of work needed, one tends to want to buy a 200$ pair and get on with it...

Steve

 

[ElektroFreak]

Truer words have never been spoken. With today's low prices (you can get a decent 20k galvo set from spacelas.com for $88US +ship) building from scratch isn't going to save you much. What you don't spend in $$ you'll more than spend in time.