How to make a high power burning blueray laser! Easy,cheap and focusable!

This is a DIY guide on how to make your HIGH POWER burning BLUE-ray laser.

WARNING:
You are dealing with very high power lasers that will blind anyone in under half a secound if shined into your eyes or anyone elses eyes!


Now onto the first PIC! :D

Step 1 Parts

Parts

Diode in aixiz module 19 USD. http://modwerx.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=12&zenid=b568d891f0e55aea465a922bbf42bb62

Heatsink 30 USD http://www.laserpointerforums.com/laser_pointer_forums_3/forum/tutorials-help-repairs/36799-tutorial-my-pocket-pal-blu-ray-laser.html

Driver 30 USD ( buy it preset to 115ma) http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_diode/Micro_FlexDrive.php

Host flashlight 3 USD

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.46

Total less then 100 USD SHIPPED!!

Comments

[CyberDoomKnight]

thats pretty cool except that is way too expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cybertech43]

I could purchase one,but I would like to maybe build my own laser cutting tool for this purpose.

[cybertech43]

Any one out here that can maybe help?????

[cybertech43]

Hello, My name is Calvin. I have a question. I own my own Crafted Wood business online and the items I make I use a normal bench scroll saw. I would like to upgrade it with a lazer saw that can cut through 3/4" wood. Any sugestions?

[tanis9319]

very complex not easy to get parts this is not cheap you lied and you will regret it eventally

[aj0my0lizard]

YOU STOLE MY AVATAR!!

[CyborgGold]

A comparable laser if purchased from a manufacturer would cost around $250 or more.... so yes, it really is cheap. You could cut some cost by not adding the heat sink but doing that would make it burn out a lot faster. It is also not that complex as far as electronics are concerned.

[Cheezpaper]

Is the laser safe to look at when you point it at an object like a book? Or does it only damage your eyes when directly pointed at a persons eyes?

[Doctor_Duquesne]

Anything that is shiny can be a potential danger to your eyesight when a laser is involved. Be very careful, you could be blinded before you know what hit you!

[Cheezpaper]

So basically if it's not shiny it's somewhat safer to look at?

[Doctor_Duquesne]

No, not really. ALL laser light is dangerous to the eyes-- even from laser scanners and laser levels-- so you don't want to see any kind of reflection. A non-reflective surface like cardboard or a dull white or even gray wall is okay, but keep it away from dark walls and panels for the opposite reason: anything dark will absorb laser light and can burn if the beam is powerful enough or focussed.

[tlewis-1]

Actually white or reflective items will be more dangerous to shine light at, dark objects appear dark because they absorb light of (nearly) all frequencies, including lasers, so because they absorb laser light and absorbance is negative log of transmittance, there will be less light transmitted from the incident object, meaning less light will reach the persons eyes.

[beamq]

The diode page is not available. Maybe you can try these products:

http://www.armlaser.com/page.html?id=19

[marc00703]

Price breaks down to 15 Dollars if you buy the DIODE, and the AIXIS Module from HIGHTECHDEALZ, and if you make your own driver...

[nosebleedXD]

hey do you know if i can fit a homemade driver in there?

[pyroninja21]

(removed by author or community request)

[Vulcanator]

 you need help reading your own comment? what is wrong with you?

[laserblast]

I built this laser and and had it for 1.5 days when it suddenly got much weaker and then stopped. I looked inside and saw a wire had come off. I re-soldered it but the laser is still very weak. I replaced the batteries multiple times and it didn't work. Any ideas on how to fix this?

[LaserRain]

Your diode is dead by the looks of it you can order another one and replace and it should be at full power again. May I ask how many milli-amps you had it set at?

[laserblast]

115mA

[laserblast]

why would it die after 1.5 days?

[Vulcanator]

two words. cheap. parts.

[265lutab]

 the link for the heat sink is broken where else can I get one?

[boristherussian]

 this is a cool project, but in my book, $80 is not cheap. Kipkay has easier ones, and you can get his diodes from cheap, broken Xboxes.

[gonathen]

what do you think about all this

[eric m]

This is how you go to jail.

[nitewing117]

This is pretty straight forward.  Thanks for the info.

[indestructibleguy]

does it burn through stuff?if so, then i want it!

[xproplayer]

dont diss kipkay he does gr8 instructables and his projects are supposed to be easy not complex

[BL1NDED]

 UGH!!!! ive spent the last 2 hours trying to find the dang heatsink!!!! no avail... someone please help me!!!

[BL1NDED]

 i am having a lit of trouble finding the heatsink you mentioned off the sight you posted. it just brings me to the forum home.

[randone]

could you use tape because I do not have a soldering iron and I do not mind taking it apart every once and a while.

[Mr. Waffle]

Also, how many mW is the diode?

[Mr. Waffle]

DO you NEED the heatsink, and if you do is there an alternative site to buy it from?

[minipancho94]

since this would blinds you in under 1/2 a second im guessing you dont want to light cigerates with it or use it in a crowded area

[coolchris1225]

just how important is the heatsink... i mean 30$ for a piece of metal?

[mspark400]

if you are looking to buy parts you can buy the driver (adjustable) also from modwerx (i just did like 2 weeks ago) for around $18 us. I purchased the driver and laser from there and mine is working now. I just need a flashlight. I do not currently have a heat sink because i do not run mine over 98 ma. I believe the current configuration runs between 100mw-150mw. Hope this helps and nice ible! Cheers, mspark400

[Thenwcp]

I just bought the Build it yourself driver for about $12 from modwerx I'll come back with my results when I build it

[LaserRain]

What was it called. Im almost 100% sure you need the flexdrive.

[Thenwcp]

It's the only DIY driver on the modwerx website, and it works great because of the flexibility of the output (I achieved over 200mA because 200mA is the highest my voltmeter read, but that kinda broke my diode, but that's what I get for seeing how hard I could push the thing, so I figure about a 100mA setting will be safer next time.) Oh and I found out that you should short the diode after you're done because apparently the capacitor's discharge will ruin the diode over time. I have very little experience with lasers themselves so that was new for me. As far as the DIY driver goes, you definitely need PC board soldering skills because the parts are all surface mounted and extremely small and includes a MOSFET which are basically the most wonderful transistor in the world but it's basically the MOST sensitive to static discharges which is why you should (as with any electronics project) have ESD safe tools/workbench(I just use the packaging the driver came in) and an anti-static strap. Soldering the components took a little fines due to spacial issues. but overall not too difficult for the average electronics tinkerer