Posted: 8/16/2010 10:16:54 AM EDT
|
As many of you know, Wickedlasers.com has a 1 W 445nm laser pointer that they sell for $300. These lasers are known for being underpowered and poorly heat sinked. If I make my own...it will be much better.
I am thinking about making my own for around $180. I have made several laser pointers before in the past...for instance... 182mW Blu-Ray Water Proof laser pointer 250mW Red laser pointer 200mW Blu-Ray Laser Pointer Mix bag of Laser Pointers So, my question is....should I bother making one of these 1W lasers or not? I am not in this to make money. I would never sell it, for it is rather illegal to do. This would simply be for my own personal collection of lasers and for bragging rights as well. Later, DMWalking EDIT: Also, if I do decide to build one, I will post my completed laser on the forum. Be looking on here in about 2 to 4 months. I will post lots of pictures and most likely some videos of it catching things on fire. EDIT: I will be using some type of host (Body) Driver (set to around 850 to 1000mA) Power source (18650) My own custom Heat sink Custom Lense that will be bought from a buddy of mine. I have made instructions before in the past....I don't see why I can't make another one. However, this laser will be very powerful and it could easily blind someone....I'm not sure if I want that resting in my mind when I sleep at night. Here is an example of a thread that I made to teach people on how to make a water proof Blu-ray laser pointer. Blu-Ray Laser Pointer Here are some instructions that can be downloaded as well. INSTRUCTIONS MS WORD FORMAT |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Awesome! I'd love to build a laser! It's not that hard to do.  Depends. It's not hard to assemble a laser diode and a power supply. Actually making a laser diode is pretty difficult. There are other types of lasers, but it's not really trivial to put them together. |
|
I would look at Dragonlasers first if you want a decent 445nM. I read good things about them.
I have a Spyder3 arctic, and it was a rushed job when built. The host tube is bad ass, yes, but it's not put together well. Fun, but could have been assembled nicer. (sloppy thread mesh, liberal over-greasing, unfocused from the factory, cheap battery led's) With that said, it is still a very powerful laser that I have no problem with burning cardboard at 20'. I'm not sure how well it will hold up to hard use though. 
|
|
Quoted:
I would look at Dragonlasers first if you want a decent 445nM. I read good things about them. I have a Spyder3 arctic, and it was a rushed job when built. The host tube is bad ass, yes, but it's not put together well. Fun, but could have been assembled nicer. (sloppy thread mesh, liberal over-greasing, unfocused from the factory, cheap battery led's) With that said, it is still a very powerful laser that I have no problem with burning cardboard at 20'. I'm not sure how well it will hold up to hard use though. http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0400.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0632.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0635.jpg Badass. You got that as a kit? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Awesome! I'd love to build a laser! It's not that hard to do. Depends. It's not hard to assemble a laser diode and a power supply. Actually making a laser diode is pretty difficult. There are other types of lasers, but it's not really trivial to put them together. PRECISELY. I however do not plan on making my own Diode. I do not have the resources nor the knowledge to do so. I will be using some type of host (Body) Driver (set to around 850 to 1000mA) Power source (18650) My own custom Heat sink Custom Lense that can be bought from a buddy of mine. I have made instructions before in the past....I don't see why I can't make another one. However, this laser will be very powerful and it could easily blind someone....I'm not sure if I want that resting in my mind when I sleep at night. Here is an example of a thread that I made to teach people on how to make a water proof Blu-ray laser pointer. Blu-Ray Laser Pointer Here are some instructions that can be downloaded as well. INSTRUCTIONS MS WORD FORMAT |
|
You can get Ruby Rods and parts here. http://www.andersonlasers.com/parts.html |
|
Quoted:
Badass. You got that as a kit? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Yes, that is how they come. That being said, if the OP does his research, he will end up with alot better laser than the arctic. Hell, I may want to put together one as well if it comes out nice!  I have done a lot of research. My only downfall is that it will be very hard to come up with a host (Body) for the laser that even compares to being as cool as the Arctic. My heat sinking will be much better than what the Arctic has though. |
|
Thats quite nice, but I plan on buying this diode. Thanks for the link though. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I would look at Dragonlasers first if you want a decent 445nM. I read good things about them. I have a Spyder3 arctic, and it was a rushed job when built. The host tube is bad ass, yes, but it's not put together well. Fun, but could have been assembled nicer. (sloppy thread mesh, liberal over-greasing, unfocused from the factory, cheap battery led's) With that said, it is still a very powerful laser that I have no problem with burning cardboard at 20'. I'm not sure how well it will hold up to hard use though. http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0400.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0632.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0635.jpg Badass. You got that as a kit? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile 
Where have you been? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Awesome! I'd love to build a laser! It's not that hard to do. Depends. It's not hard to assemble a laser diode and a power supply. Actually making a laser diode is pretty difficult. There are other types of lasers, but it's not really trivial to put them together. PRECISELY. I however do not plan on making my own Diode. I do not have the resources nor the knowledge to do so. I will be using some type of host (Body) Driver (set to around 850 to 1000mA) Power source (18650) My own custom Heat sink Custom Lense that can be bought from a buddy of mine. I have made instructions before in the past....I don't see why I can't make another one. However, this laser will be very powerful and it could easily blind someone....I'm not sure if I want that resting in my mind when I sleep at night. Here is an example of a thread that I made to teach people on how to make a water proof Blu-ray laser pointer. Blu-Ray Laser Pointer Here are some instructions that can be downloaded as well. INSTRUCTIONS MS WORD FORMAT Will you get 1W of output light power with a 1000mA driver circuit at 3.7V? I thought LEDs lasers were about 10% efficient. This would leave you with 370mw. My % may be way off though... |
|
http://cgi.ebay.com/Up-1W-445nm-Blue-Laser-Diode-Casio-Projector-/290459825716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0
I got one of these, I used a couple of npn xsistors in a current limiting mode, a .5 ohm resistor is conected to the base/emiter of one and the base of the other is conected to the collector of the first, when the current=1.2A it steals base voltage from the pass transistor and limits current to 1.2A, I need about 8v to get full current and AA bats don't last long, I also need a better heat sink. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Awesome! I'd love to build a laser! It's not that hard to do. Depends. It's not hard to assemble a laser diode and a power supply. Actually making a laser diode is pretty difficult. There are other types of lasers, but it's not really trivial to put them together. PRECISELY. I however do not plan on making my own Diode. I do not have the resources nor the knowledge to do so. I will be using some type of host (Body) Driver (set to around 850 to 1000mA) Power source (18650) My own custom Heat sink Custom Lense that can be bought from a buddy of mine. I have made instructions before in the past....I don't see why I can't make another one. However, this laser will be very powerful and it could easily blind someone....I'm not sure if I want that resting in my mind when I sleep at night. Here is an example of a thread that I made to teach people on how to make a water proof Blu-ray laser pointer. Blu-Ray Laser Pointer Here are some instructions that can be downloaded as well. INSTRUCTIONS MS WORD FORMAT Will you get 1W of output light power with a 1000mA driver circuit at 3.7V? I thought LEDs lasers were about 10% efficient. This would leave you with 370mw. My % may be way off though... Newer diodes of today are much more efficient than what they used to be.
The driver that I will be using is designed for holding a constant current to the diode. The particular diode that I will be using will put out approximately a 1 to 1 ratio. 1mA = 1mW so 850mA should equal around 850mW Every diode is different though. Some are more efficient than others. There is a chance that I will get 950+mW out of 850mA. It just depends on the diode. Another thing that makes a huge difference is the optics that are being used. Poor optics means that less light will get transfered through the lense and thus lowering your output. I will be using a lense that is designed for the 445nm wavelength. It should transfer 95%+ |
|
Quoted:
What are the laws in regards to the amount of power a laser can put out? For the general public, that is... In general...anything that is over 5mW is considered illegal unless otherwise approved by the FDA. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong) There are no laws against making your own, but your not allowed to sell them if you do. If you do stupid things with them, then you will get in some trouble. Otherwise, all of the police officers I know don't have a problem with them as long as you are being safe. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I would only build one if it was capable of destroying the death star or a similar sized planet or moon. Or I can mount it a sharks head. Ill-tempered sea-bass? I'd like to know if there are any serious changes to making one of these with an infrared diode. Anyone? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I would only build one if it was capable of destroying the death star or a similar sized planet or moon. Or I can mount it a sharks head. Ill-tempered sea-bass? I'd like to know if there are any serious changes to making one of these with an infrared diode. Anyone? IR is much more dangerous than this 445nm laser. The obvious reason is because the beam is invisible so if it does end up getting shined into your eyes your blinking reflex wont activate thus making it easier for you to go blind. IR laser diodes are a little bit different. I personally haven't worked with them...but if I remember right, they run at a lower voltage than normal diodes. I think around 1.5 Volts. For the most part...the rest of the laser is the same. |
|
Quoted:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Up-1W-445nm-Blue-Laser-Diode-Casio-Projector-/290459825716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 I got one of these, I used a couple of npn xsistors in a current limiting mode, a .5 ohm resistor is conected to the base/emiter of one and the base of the other is conected to the collector of the first, when the current=1.2A it steals base voltage from the pass transistor and limits current to 1.2A, I need about 8v to get full current and AA bats don't last long, I also need a better heat sink. If you're using them as a filter like that, and have electronic knowledge why not just spring for some more powerful batteries? I've got some 3v and 6v Lithium batteries (NSN 6135-01-214-6441 6v and 6135-01-507-1135 3v) that would be able to handle pretty much anything you could feasably throw at them and last far longer than a puny 1.5v AA cell. If you've got the knowledge, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to get those NSN's I listed and give them a try instead. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I would only build one if it was capable of destroying the death star or a similar sized planet or moon. Or I can mount it a sharks head. Ill-tempered sea-bass? I'd like to know if there are any serious changes to making one of these with an infrared diode. Anyone? I'll mount to a hermit crab as long as it will kill... |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Up-1W-445nm-Blue-Laser-Diode-Casio-Projector-/290459825716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 I got one of these, I used a couple of npn xsistors in a current limiting mode, a .5 ohm resistor is conected to the base/emiter of one and the base of the other is conected to the collector of the first, when the current=1.2A it steals base voltage from the pass transistor and limits current to 1.2A, I need about 8v to get full current and AA bats don't last long, I also need a better heat sink. If you're using them as a filter like that, and have electronic knowledge why not just spring for some more powerful batteries? I've got some 3v and 6v Lithium batteries (NSN 6135-01-214-6441 6v and 6135-01-507-1135 3v) that would be able to handle pretty much anything you could feasably throw at them and last far longer than a puny 1.5v AA cell. If you've got the knowledge, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to get those NSN's I listed and give them a try instead. I can get you a better driver than that....it will let you use a RCR123A 3.7V rechargeable |
|
DMW, How much would a 589nm build cost me?
Also, what kind of power would it put out? ETA...what could I make with this? 4 & 2 watt lasers @ auction. 
|
|
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I would look at Dragonlasers first if you want a decent 445nM. I read good things about them. I have a Spyder3 arctic, and it was a rushed job when built. The host tube is bad ass, yes, but it's not put together well. Fun, but could have been assembled nicer. (sloppy thread mesh, liberal over-greasing, unfocused from the factory, cheap battery led's) With that said, it is still a very powerful laser that I have no problem with burning cardboard at 20'. I'm not sure how well it will hold up to hard use though. http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0400.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0632.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/smokiesmokie/DSC_0635.jpg Badass. You got that as a kit? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Where have you been? Right here. Problem? |
|
Quoted:
DMW, How much would a 589nm build cost me? Also, what kind of power would it put out? ETA...what could I make with this? 4 & 2 watt lasers @ auction. A yellow laser is very costly to make and their typical output is low. The reason is because of the rare crystals that are needed to achieve that color. It actually starts out as IR and then gets converted by the crystals. I do not have the ability to make one of these lasers, mainly because I don't know how. |