Laser from dead computer by smashbob
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Here’s another neat way to make use of that old computer that has been lying around your house: Turn it into a red burning laser using parts salvaged from the dead computer. The burning laser is powerful enough for you to wear safety goggles.


The components you need to salvage are: the power supply, DVD Burner (16x speed or more), and the heatsink. The DVD Burner provides the laser diode which is housed in the heatsink proofing. The PSU and the right wires are connected to the heatsink and the laser module. That’s it! The heatsink helps to run the laser long enough to burn through things like plastic and ignite matches.
 
 
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Step 1: Key Points

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Sorry they're out of order.
pokemech says: Mar 24, 2013. 9:34 PM
I almost can't wait for my computer to die now... its got WAY higher than 16x. >:)
lstaničić says: Aug 23, 2011. 8:46 AM
is a plastic lens going to melt?
slaserj says: Feb 2, 2012. 4:06 PM
The plastic lens will not melt because the plastic is clear. The lens will not absorb the light and therefore will not melt. The same is true for white materials and other light colors. These lasers will only burn dark colored objects because they absorb the light. If anyone wands to explain this in more "scientific" detail, please do.
rahul7878 says: Sep 22, 2011. 4:22 AM
i trying to makin lader nut not workin plz help
k_m4n says: Aug 24, 2011. 11:13 PM
i think so becous in the video you see it burn plastic and tape
atlas n pbody says: Jan 7, 2012. 5:02 PM
are axis mods requerd
Davidt95 says: Dec 5, 2011. 5:31 PM
hey could u light a firework fuse with that laser
werdna223 says: Nov 21, 2011. 4:41 PM
does anybody know if a 5mW diode now can be turned into this( limited through resistor power so not full power 5mW
werdna223 says: Nov 21, 2011. 4:40 PM
no you cant use a Magnavox, i tried and forund it has a wrong diode it is more advanced
svens55 says: Nov 17, 2011. 7:36 AM
is a aixiz a lens or not ?
dforgacs says: Oct 26, 2011. 8:19 AM
(removed by author or community request)
mondeluz says: Oct 9, 2011. 2:45 AM
can someone tell me what these powerful lasers are for?
fjr. says: Jul 23, 2011. 4:24 PM
can you use the Magnavox DVD player
rahul7878 says: Sep 22, 2011. 4:24 AM
i trying to makin lader nut not workin plz help
neung.n80 says: Aug 5, 2011. 8:12 AM
good
sniper shot says: Jun 20, 2011. 9:25 AM
wow,its a lot like the thermal discouragement beam from portal 2
mondeluz says: Jun 6, 2011. 4:23 AM
a better way how to get laser diode from dvd burner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWHFu7uJnpU
Damondog says: Apr 6, 2011. 1:36 PM
Can you use a cd burner instead of a dvd?
Wolfhunter9154 says: Apr 23, 2011. 2:01 PM
A cd burner will only have a weak Infrared diode, so no.
wi-fi astronomer says: May 21, 2011. 9:58 PM
An IR laser will be useful if hooked to a remote or a TV B-Gone. Aim it at the target apartment and you can turn off the TV set from a hundred metres away at least.

In any case, to aim a laser good, within the beam spread, you need a suitable mounting. A good method is a T shape tripod with two pieces of steel with 2 screws on the "horizontal" part of the "T" and a nut (like quarter-20)sandwiched between two T shape metal pieces. The third screw screws into that nut with a washer screwed to make a knob.

This type of mounting makes for a mounting similar to a Civil War cannon. The laser diode serves as the cannon. You aim horizontally then do the knob for the vertical. You can put the dot accurately across a footie field with this type of mounting.

With an IR laser element, you will want a camera to see the dot as you aim it at the window, then you align it to get the signal from a TV B-Gone to fire.
Antikythera says: Apr 24, 2011. 12:13 PM
How many mW is this?
drummerboy223 says: Apr 13, 2011. 7:02 PM
Hey when you cut the wire connectors, how many green did you have? i ended up with a TON of black and ONE green wire. and im supposed to tie the together? black on green? then the rest of the black on black? im so lost.
Kronikle88 says: Mar 29, 2011. 11:09 AM
Im looking into making one of these, what kind of 3ohm resistor did you use?
3zuli says: Mar 20, 2011. 9:06 AM
copy'n'paste from styropyro! [flaged]
dombeef says: Mar 25, 2011. 2:32 PM
Agreed!
dog digger says: Mar 18, 2011. 4:34 PM
Thats a screenshot. Click on the little 'i' in the top right an look on the page title
kbarbolina says: Mar 18, 2011. 7:49 AM
is this even your tutorial?
you just copied it from styropyro! (if your not him)
joeismydad says: Mar 17, 2011. 3:26 PM
you copied this from styropyro didnt you
zazenergy says: Mar 13, 2011. 7:06 PM
Thanks for sharing this -- would love if you posted the video here when you can!
smashbob (author) says: Mar 10, 2011. 2:09 PM
Sorry everybody, some problems with my computer. I'll get around to fixing everything soon.
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