How to Make a Laser Flashlight - Laser Flashlight Hack!
Intro: How to Make a Laser Flashlight - Laser Flashlight Hack!
In this tutorial you will learn how to build your own Laser Flashlight.
Using 532mn Green Laser Pointers, and a Maglite Flashlight. This Laser Flashlight Hack was a fun project and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
STEP 1: Step 1
Get a couple of fist fulls of green laser pointers.
Here is where I got the packs from
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575212299&toolid=10001&campid=5337964023&customid=&icep_item=151890371272&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg
STEP 2: Step 2
Extract the diodes from the housings. The best way I found is just to use a pair of needle nose pliers and peel away the casing from the outside. Its easy to do if you just give it a little twist.
STEP 3: Step 3
Epoxy them together in groups. I made 5 groups. A row of 5, 2 rows of 4, and, 2 rows of 3. When put all together they will make an even hexagon with 19pc total used.
STEP 4: Step 4
Wire the battery + and battery - circuits together in parallel. The battery + contact runs along the base on the back side of the driver board. The battery neg is the top switch leg on the opposite side.
STEP 5: Step 5
Epoxy the strips of laser diodes together and put some aluminum flat bars around the outside for extra heat sinking (The strips are optional but a good idea because lasers generate a lot of heat).
STEP 6: Step 6
Create an expansion for the flashlight host (Maglite) using PVC pipe. This is a 3" to 1.5" adapter. Cutting a 2" piece of the 1.5" pipe and slipping one end into the maglite head (with the bezel removed) and the other end into the adapter makes a snug fit, no epoxy is needed. Also cut about a 4" long piece of the 3" pipe and slip it into the other end of the adapter.
STEP 7: Step 7
Install the diodes into the housing and wire them to the maglite switch. You will only need 2 wires since we assembled the didoes in series.
For details on prepping a mag switch see here:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC7GYov9CAw
STEP 8: Step 7
Wake up the neighbors! Remember even though these lasers are low power they do have the potential to be harmful to eye sight so be careful where you point it :) Having a set of laser saftey glasses is also a good practice. I Hope that you have enjoyed this experiment as much as I did!
For more DIY projects like this one please visit my youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AdventureSportFlashlights
11 Comments
ronfrey 3 years ago
docman100 6 years ago
In fact sometime im going to make a flashlight like this and make it rechargeable (a normal micro USB would not work I would charge it with something like the laptop chargers) and also make a case with a lock (cause you shouldn't let just anyone go around using a bright death ray to the eyes.)
MatthewS225 6 years ago
docman100 6 years ago
Wow a flashlight like this could stop a thug trying to attack you right in his tracks, really great build.
MatthewS225 6 years ago
echodog 7 years ago
This thing is insane. I've used a single green laser pointer as a flashlight for indoor settings--the light reflects off the surrounding walls enough to really light things up--but I'm astounded to see this application for outdoor use. Just be real careful not to accidentally hit an aircraft low on the horizon.
How long does the flashlight run on standard D batteries?
MatthewS225 7 years ago
The run time is pretty short. Alkaline D cells would not carry the load that this requres, so I used NIMH D cells. The current draw is about 7 amps so it would be around an hour and fifteen minutes before the cells were depleted.
snowy1998 7 years ago
Cool project, reminds me of Doctor Octopus' anti-gravity cannon
MatthewS225 7 years ago
Thanks snowy. Have you got a link to a good pic of that cannon? You've got me currious what its like now....
snowy1998 7 years ago
MatthewS225 7 years ago
OH, I see now... Thanks.