Laser Flashlight Hack!!

Step 12 FAQ

Here are the answers to common questions about this project.

Q. Can I use a CD player/burner or DVD player Diode.
A. No. Only a DVD burner diode 16x or faster will work.

Q. Do I need the Aixiz Housing?
A. Yes. It serves as a heatsink for the high-power diode and also the focusing element is essential.

Q. What happens to the existing circuit board that is inside the Aixiz housing?
A. It is not used for this project. You can keep it for a lower mA diode like a standard red laser pointer diode or just discard it.

Q. What's with the 'pins' you used?
A. The 'pins' are snippings from old resistors. You can use any sturdy wire. They are soldered to the diode and then inserted in the mini-mag plastic fitting that original held the mini-mag lightbulb.

Q. Can I use a regular laser pointer from the dollar store as the housing.
A. See the previous Question/Answer

Q. Can I use another type of flashlight?
A. Not sure. This project is based on the mini-mag.

Q. My diode is not burning anything. What did I do wrong?
A. In order for the diode to 'burn' it needs to be focused to a fine point and also the object needs to be black or marked black with a Sharpie.

Q. Why can't I see the beam like I can see in the video?
A. I used smoke to make the beam visible.

Q. Should I use a driver circuit?
A. The basis for this project was to show that you could use a diode from a DVD burner and put it in a flashlight and make it 'burn'. Ths is a novelty item and not designed for long-term or regular use. If you want to do that, a driver circuit is highly recommended.

For answers to any laser related questions, check with one of the popular forums like www.laserpointerforums.com

Comments

[c.mcnichol]

can you use any dvd burner diode?

[dtc-joey]

i've got a 16x burning laser and a aixiz housing but i havn't got a driver can i use a 1mw 650nm class 2 red laser driver? please reply thnx

[super_kool_dude29]

im about to buy the stuff to make this but the aixiz housing on the site says it comes with plastic collimated lens and that i have to pay extra for a glass lens. do i need the glass lens?
here's the product : http://www.aixiz.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=1_26&products_id=44

[Lacurazz]

i can't get this thing to pop a balloon let alone burn something, and i have it focused as much as possible

[DannytheGreat]

could it be used like a laser engraver in any way?

[pjvandehaar]

Blu-ray is ~200-500 mW, while laser engravers are ~10 W — A factor of 30. I suspect that because of heat dissipation you might have to go at 1% speed for it to work. Note that I don't know much about this.

[arturomc]

if i use a cd player diode.... can i make a laser (that it's not a burning one) or it wouldnt work

[kevkid]

Nope, the laser diode inside of a CD player/burner is at a lower wavelength, basically if u hooked it up you wouldn't see anything because it is in the infrared wavelength which our eyes cannot see.

[usb key]

what about  regular cd drive
and waht does the housing do?

[3DD3]

BUT...If you own a Night vision device it will light up the night!

[xXnocturnusXx]

how would you add a driver circuit to this project?

[hutter]

can you use a blu ray diode like your website says?