How to Make a Handheld Laser Pointer

There are several different ways to make a hand held laser pointer. In this case we will be creating one out of a flashlight body.


Now these lasers can be very dangerous. I built one that is only 5mw and can not burn, but for about $5-$10 more you can easily find a module that can burn (I will include links to these).

Note: At about 100mw it is possible to light things on fire.

Disclaimer: I am not in anyway responsible for anything that happens during the process of this instructable and will take no responsibility for anything that might occur.

Step 1: The Parts

You will need a flashlight body, you can take a old broken flashlight. Minimags work well.


5mw
Red - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Instapark-DRM509-L011-5-mW-650-nm-Red-Laser-Module-Line-9-mm-X-22-mm-/150828205147?pt=US_Laser_Pointers&hash=item231e0fc45b

Green - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Instapark-DGM512L-3V-5-mW-532-nm-Green-Line-Laser-Diode-Module-New-/160813153259?pt=US_Laser_Pointers&hash=item257135fbeb

10mw

Red - http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-650nm-10mW-Red-Laser-Dot-Diode-Module-with-TTL-/250943728257?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6d696a81

Green - http://www.ebay.com/itm/532nm-10mw-Industrial-Green-Laser-DOT-module-/121175698407?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c36a26be7

Blue - http://www.ebay.com/itm/405nm-5-10mW-Violet-Blue-Laser-Dot-Module-12x35-/250943740674?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6d699b02

50mw

Red - http://www.ebay.com/itm/50mW-650nm-Focusable-Red-Laser-DOT-Module-/260818218444?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb9fa2dcc

Green - http://www.ebay.com/itm/INDUSTRIAL-LAB-3VDC-532nm-Green-Beam-Laser-Lazer-50mW-Diode-Module-/120920807215?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2771172f

Blue - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Focusable-50mW-405nm-Blue-Violet-Purple-Laser-Line-Diode-Module-Sony-LD-in-/110887316066?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d1662a62

100mw

Red - http://www.ebay.com/itm/100mW-655nm-Red-Laser-Diode-Module-/281141033938?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41754fbbd2

Green - http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Quality-LAB-532nm-100mW-Green-Laser-Module-Laser-Diode-lighting-Free-Driver-/331042992973?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d13b3334d

Blue - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Focusable-100mW-405nm-Blue-Violet-Purple-Laser-Lazer-Line-Diode-Module-Sony-LD-/110887316065?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d1662a61

150mw

Red - http://www.ebay.com/itm/150mW-650nm-660nm-Red-Laser-Module-Dot-Diode-Driver-in-/170924096077?pt=US_Stage_Lighting_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27cbdeba4d

Green - http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAB-532nm-150mW-Green-Laser-Module-Laser-Diode-lighting-Free-Driver-heatsink-/231084322498?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35cdb2eec2

Blue - http://www.ebay.com/itm/405nm-150mW-Violet-Blue-Focusable-Laser-Dot-Module-/200957642838?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eca024856

Step 2:

Next step will be to attach the positive end of the battery to the red wire (positive) like so




(ignore the circular metal object around the diode thats just part if my flashlight body)

Step 3:

Attach black wire (negitive) to the bronze tab inside of the flashlight body (your flashlight body might be a little bit different but this is what most flashlights look like.

Step 4:

Insert the taped battery (and any other batteries necessary). Put diode into the cap on the front of the flashlight (you make need to make adjustments on the front itself)

Step 5:

Screw the cap on and you're done! Hopefully yours work'd as well as mine did.

Comments

[EdH]

I have been looking for a 5mw 405nm laser in a flashlight body but can only find laser pointers. Have you seen any company selling such a thing? I need these for business and do not want to make them all myself.

[manham]

How to make a burning laser???

[danuc]

yep, that ed be cool.............

[Corhay]

(If you want it to burn paper)

[darkjedidj]

Hey is there a way to make one without a laser modual

[Corhay]

What do you have in mind?

[CyanNinja]

I have a 10 mw red laser and im not sure what batterys to use. I might just use a torch to hold it all. (I dont care if it burns or not)

[yosuf.harb]

how do you attach the wires??

[Corhay]

Well I used some electrical tape but that doesn't always stay put so you could just solder it on, which would be very easy to do

[astrohecker]

or well suppose to mean

[Corhay]

it stands for milliwatts

[astrohecker]

hey quick question whats the "mw" stand for

[nathconley]

Cool idea!