Introduction: Instructables Burning Laser Watch
I will show you how to make an instructables watch which contains a a burning laser,
Best of all, this is an extremly cheap project. I was impressed by the quality of my own for the price i paid for these materials.
This is inspired by the 007 laser watch that was worn by James Bond .
***DO NOT POINT LASER AT ANY LIVING THING***
***ALWAYS WEAR LASER SAFTEY GLASSES WHEN OPERATING A LASER***
Step 1: MATERIALS
For this project, you will need:
(1) Cheap watch(preferably plastic)- Got mine at the local McDonalds, but available at dollar stores too. (58cents)
(1) 5mw laser(any kind)- Walmart,Walgreens or Petsmart (about $2-6 depending on the type of laser)
wire (doesnt matter the brand or type, just plain wire)-Radio Shack($3)
(1) slide switch( any one will do)-Radio Shack(80cents)
A drill
A soldering iron
A screwdriver
A3v button cell battery
Optional:
dremel
super glue/hot glue/epoxy
Step 2: GUT THE WATCH
For this step, you will need to get your watch, and disassemble it by taking out all the screws, and removing the plastic cover.
Then take out the paper that was in the plastic cover.
You will be replacing it with the instructables logo in the next step.
Do not throw out the paper, you will need it as a template for the following step.
Step 3: PRINTING THE LOGO
Now, go on your computer, and print out a picture of the instructables logo, that will fit in the plastic cover.
You can use the previous paper in the watch as a template.
then install the logo under the glass.
Step 4: GUTTING THE LASER
In this step, you will be gutting the inside of your laser.
****WHEN YOU DO THIS, MAKE SURE TO NOT BREAK ANY OF THE COMPONENTS!! BE CAREFUL!****
First, you will unscrew the bottom cap of the laser and take out the button cell batteries.
Then unscrew the top lens if your laser contains one.
Next, take pliers and carefully twist the top of your laser until it becomes free from the housing.
Step 5: WIRING IT UP
You need to wire the components based on the schematic in the picture.
This step requires:
laser inside
slide switch
3v button cell
soldering iron
OK SO FIRST TAKE THE LASER INSIDE AND LOCATE THE MOMENTARY SWITCH( MAKE NOTE ON WHERE THE POS/NEG LEADS ARE IN THE CIRCUT BOARD).
THEN TAKE YOUR SOLDERING IRON AND DE-SOLDER THE MOMENTARY SWITCH.
THEN SOLDER ON YOUR SLIDE SWITCH WITH WIRE(WHERE THE OLD SWITCH WAS.)
AFTER THAT, CONNECT SOME WIRE TO THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE LEADS OF YOUR LASER, THEN CONNECT THOSE TO THE 3 VOLT BUTTON CELL BATTERY.
Attachments
Step 6: MAKING IT BURN!
This is a fairly easy step, it will take about 30 seconds.
First, you need to get your gutted laser.
Then, you need a micro screwdriver( maybe just a small phillips screwdriver)
After that, you need to locate the voltage regulator on your laser,( in this case it is a very small screw on the laser.)
Take your screwdriver and tighten the screw to the right
***DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE SCREW****
Tightening the screw to the right will increase the voltage output which will enable the laser to burn.
Tightening the screw to the left will decrease the voltage output which will make the laser beam weaker
The thing i like about this feature is that you can change if you want it to burn. for instance if you dont want it to burn, just tighten it to the left and vice versa.
Attachments
Step 7: PUTTING IT INTO THE WATCH
In this step you are going to be putting your schematic into your watch.
First, use a dremel or a knife to sand down one of the edges of your watch, so your slide switch is sticking out of the edge of the watch for easy access./(you can see in the picture how i did it.)
next find a good spot in you watch to house your laser., then drill a small hole for the laser beam to go through.
then find a good spot to put the button cell.
you might have to use a dremel to make room for all of your components
then, if you want, you can glue all of your components so they dont move around.
lastly put your whole watch back together!!!!!
Step 8: YOUR FINISHED
Now your finished!!!!!!!!!
When you slide your slide switch, the laser should activate if properly soldered.
This laser easily lights a match, pops a balloon and ignites a firework.
Have fun with your new laser watch but most importantly BE SAFE!!!!!!!
Comments are always welcome, please ask questions, ill respond within 12 hours.

Participated in the
Wicked Lasers Contest
83 Comments
5 years ago
this is highly cool but im pretty sure not all lasers can do that. it would be a lot easier to just buy a laser diode.
6 years ago
how to make small laser hair removal machine. Like this handy machine or very laser hair removal machine
8 years ago on Introduction
can you suggest any household item from where i can get the voltage regulator ??
Reply 6 years ago
how to make small laser hair removal machine. Like this handy machine or very laser hair removal machine
6 years ago
how to make small laser hair removal machine. Like this handy machine or very laser hair removal machine
6 years ago
how to make small laser hair removal machine. Like this handy machine or very laser hair removal machine
8 years ago
Can't believe kipkay hasn't done one if these
8 years ago
come on man u didn't reply.
You said that u would within 12 hours
8 years ago
And also
have
8 years ago
Sorry I ment
Day
Time
8 years ago
I would like it if u would post it within a day please
As I will habeas to go to school after 2 daty and would like to have extra yime on hand
8 years ago
I really liked ur ible so even I decide d to make one
The only problem I am having is that I an not able to locate to voltage regulator on my 5mw laser module.
Could you please tell me where is is by posting a pic or a video or something.
That would be of a great help
8 years ago on Introduction
i couldnt help but to feel like it would make more sense to put a momentary pushbutton switch instead of a slider switch
8 years ago on Introduction
i couldnt help but to feel like it would make more sense to put a momentary pushbutton switch instead of a slider switch
8 years ago on Introduction
i couldnt help but to feel like it would make more sense to put a momentary pushbutton switch instead of a slider switch
10 years ago on Step 8
hello, wonderful instructable BTW, but the lasers I can get my hands on for cheap in Toronto are the type without a voltage regulator. Instead, the have a micro capacitor (i think its a capacitor) a tiny rectangular prism shape, black in colour, with tiny numbers on it. I have all the materials required to make the laser burn, minus the voltage regulator component. Any suggestions? perhaps installing one? If you can get me through this you have solved the "turn a dollar laser into a burning laser" and made my wish come true. Thanks!
Reply 9 years ago on Step 8
you can buy a laser diode at
digibay.com at 59 ruppes(1 dollar)
Reply 9 years ago on Step 8
I think that might be a small resistor, in which case you could bypass it by covering it with solder. My only concern would be whether or not the amount of current this would allow would short out the laser diode.
Reply 9 years ago on Step 8
If it is a resistor.
Reply 9 years ago on Step 8
If it is a resistor.