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