laser flashlight hack!!
TRANSCRIPT
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
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Laser Flashlight Hack!!by Kipkay on August 6, 2007
Table of Contents
intro: Laser Flashlight Hack!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
step 1: What you need... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
step 2: And... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
step 3: Extract the DVD Laser Diode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
step 4: Extract the Laser Diode.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
step 5: Continue extraction... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
step 6: The new DVD Laser Diode! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
step 7: Preparing the AixiZ housing... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
step 8: Assembling the housing... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
step 9: Installing it in your MiniMag! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
step 10: Final Step!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
step 11: Test it out!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
intro: Laser Flashlight Hack!!Turn a MiniMag flashlight into a powerful DVD laser pointer! This 245mw laser is powerful and fits real cozy in a MiniMag! See the video at the end for the Test Results!
NOTE: This Instructable WILL NOT WORK with any CD burner/player diodes or DVD player diodes!
GET THE BURNING LASER DIODE HERE!
UPDATE: If you want to use this as more than just a novelty item, a driver circuit is recommended. See the schematic for details.
Video
Disclaimer: CAUTION! As you know...lasers can be dangerous. Never point them at any living object!T his is not a toy, and this should not be used like a conventionallaser pointer. In other words, don't use it in presentations, or to play with pets, or allow children to use it. It should only be operated by responsible persons whounderstand and respect the potential laser safety hazards.
step 1: What you need...You will need the following items:1. 16X DVD Burner. I used an LG burner I had as a spare.
or...
You can buy the Red LASER DIODE HERE
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
step 2: And...2. A MiniMag flashlight easily obtained at your local hardware, sporting goods or home improvement store.
3. An AixiZ Laser Module. You can get one HERE
4. Small jewelers screwdrivers, X-Acto knife, metal snips, drill, round file and other small tools.
Image Notes1. 650nm 5mw 12mm X 30mm
step 3: Extract the DVD Laser DiodeAfter removing all of the screws from the DVD burner, remove the cover and the DVD drawer. This will expose the laser carriage assembly.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
step 4: Extract the Laser Diode..While all DVD burners are a bit different, they all rely on 2 rails that the laser assembly moves on. Remove all screws and do whatever it takes to free up the rails so thelaser assembly slides off. Disconnect or cut and cabling and flat connectors.
Image Notes1. Laser Assembly
step 5: Continue extraction...Once you have the assembly off of the burner it's time to start disassembling it by removing all the screws you see. There will be many small screws so be patient. Cutany flat cabling off. There could be two diodes, one for the CD portion of the burner (IR diode) and the actual DVD burning diode (red). That is the one you want. Therewill be a 3-pin circuit board on the red diode that you want to CAREFULLY remove with a soldering iron revealing 3 pins. You can test the diode with 2-AA batteries andreferring to the polarity chart (on the video). You will have to remove the diode from the housing and that will be in a case-by-case basis depending on the burner. Thelaser diode is fragile so take care in the final extraction process.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
Image Notes1. Typical laser diode assembly. They are usually all different.
step 6: The new DVD Laser Diode!Here is what your extracting diode will look like!
You can get the burning LASER DIODE HERE
step 7: Preparing the AixiZ housing...Remove the label from the AixiZ housing and unscrew the housing leaving a top and bottom portion of the housing. Inside the top housing is the original (5mw) laserdiode that has to be removed. I used the bottom of an X-Acto knife and with a couple of sharp taps, the original diode will come out. It will likely be destroyed doing thisbut I have been successful in removing them before but using a very small screwdriver and tapping around the diode until it is freed up.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
Image Notes1. After removing the label, using pliers or vide grips, unscrew the housing.
step 8: Assembling the housing...I used a little bit of Arctic Silver Thermal grease and slowly installed the new DVD diode in the AixiZ housing. Using a pair of pliers, I SLOWLY squeezed the edges of thediode down into the housing until it was flush. CAREFUL!
Image Notes1. The new DVD laser installed in the AixiZ housing.
step 9: Installing it in your MiniMag!After soldering two leads to the positive and negative diode connectors, it's time to install it in the MiniMag. After disassembling the MiniMag (remove the top, thereflector, lens and bulb) you will need to enlarge the MiniMag reflector using a reaming tool, round metal file or drill or a combination of all three.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
step 10: Final Step!!Be sure to remove the batteries from the MiniMag and after checking polarity, slip your new DVD Laser housing down into the top of the MiniMag where the bulb wouldgo. Screw the top of the MiniMag on and slip the reflector over the Laser housing. You will not be using the plastic MiniMag lens.
UPDATE: If you intend to use this as more than just a novelty item, a driver circuit is recommended. Here is a basic driver circuit that can be built for thisproject which will regulate the voltage going to the diode.
Image Notes1. Be sure to double check the polarity of the diode before installing and poweringit up! You may have to trim the leads. Also, note the adjustable lens to focus thebeam
step 11: Test it out!!Reinstall the 2-AA batteries and slowly unscrew the top of the MiniMag, turning on your new Laser Flashlight! Caution!! Laser diodes are dangerous and should never bepointed at any living thing. Thanks and I hope you enjoyed this Instructable!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
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Comments50 comments Add Comment view all 1903 comments
noah1r says: Mar 5, 2009. 10:12 AM REPLYhi you are kipkay from make who does the weekend project I think the laser is cool.
casey_english94 says: Feb 2, 2009. 7:14 AM REPLYwould this diode work? http://hightechdealz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=4if so what would be the next step.
squit101 says: Feb 26, 2009. 2:51 PM REPLYit should work fine but if i were you id install a driver so to make sure it doesnt burn out after a few hours of run time. possibly heat sink it aswell
casey_english94 says: Feb 28, 2009. 11:12 AM REPLYsorry i am new to this but how do you install a driver?
and were can i get one.
squit101 says: Mar 2, 2009. 2:41 PM REPLYhonestly.... im not sure. but before u use blu ray it might b interesting to check this outhttp://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1219161671
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
casey_english94 says: Feb 27, 2009. 7:41 AM REPLYthanks for your help.
ReCreate says: Feb 9, 2009. 12:11 PM REPLYWould this work with a CD drive laser from a computer?would the laser light just be weaker?
Sir Crapton says: Feb 9, 2009. 1:28 PM REPLYNo, because a DVD burner laser diode literally burns small holes in the disc. A CD burner does the same thing, but it is completely invisible, and that'sjust plain dangerous. A CD/DVD reader only shines a laser at the bottom of the disc and reads the indentations. It has to be a DVD burner.
ReCreate says: Feb 9, 2009. 2:41 PM REPLYexactly,is the laser strong enough to burn?A cd/dvd reader! does the laser burn?
awang8 says: Mar 2, 2009. 12:17 AM REPLYYou must have a CD/DVD burner because a normal CD one, as Sir Crapton said, is invisible and pretty much useless while a DVD readerdoesn't burn, it just has a little laser at the bottom, not very strong. The reason a DVD burner's diode is strong is because it actually has to beable to burn little dents in the bottom of the disc. There is a difference. If you're not sure just get the diode mentioned in the link.
ReCreate says: Mar 2, 2009. 8:22 AM REPLYso the cd burner is infared and it burns,right?and the cd reader is ir and it does not burn,right?i think i just sparked an idea
jessekovacs says: Feb 28, 2009. 7:38 PM REPLYI don't think it would burn. I'm pretty sure it would be a slightly more powerful laser pointer.
ReCreate says: Feb 9, 2009. 2:43 PM REPLYor will it just be an inisint laser pointer?
ReCreate says: Feb 9, 2009. 2:46 PM REPLYinnocent not inisint XD
lego cowz says: Feb 22, 2009. 6:51 PM REPLYDUDE WHERE CAN I BUY A GOOD DIODE THAT DOESNT HAVE A RIP OFF PRICE!!!!!!!
awang8 says: Mar 2, 2009. 12:19 AM REPLYhttp://www.newegg.com
squit101 says: Feb 23, 2009. 2:32 PM REPLYebay.com
awang8 says: Mar 2, 2009. 12:19 AM REPLYThat's like $40...
512143joshm says: Feb 23, 2009. 8:46 PM REPLYI was wondering, what type of 16x am I'm going to use1) external2) ONE used in a notebook'3) or an internal
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
awang8 says: Mar 2, 2009. 12:19 AM REPLYAny. A laser burner is a laser burner. The only difference is the connections.
data23 says: Mar 1, 2009. 5:12 PM REPLYhonestly kipkay, they need to give u ur own awards so u dont steal contests from the rest of us on account of u bein like the god of instructables!
joypad says: Feb 28, 2009. 9:43 PM REPLYYou know those silly little pointers you can get for like 5 bucks at any two bob shop? can i turn one of those into a burning lazer?
taka21 says: Feb 23, 2009. 6:40 PM REPLYHello..Im gonna give you a situation and I would like everyone to read this and answer me.. If I substituted the DVD burner for a CD burner from a computerwould there be any difference? Would it still work?
jessekovacs says: Feb 28, 2009. 7:28 PM REPLYI think it would work but because of the wavelength of the beam the CD diode would make an infrared (invisible) beam. It would be a little dangerous, butimagine the look on someone's face when their newspaper gets a random hole in it.
amir.eht says: Feb 24, 2009. 12:28 PM REPLYooooooooooooooh NO.i just had 6 dvd writer laser diodes, bud as soon as i connect them to 3 volt batteries they show off a dim red light and then they burned!!!!!! all of them diedout!!!one of them melted its solderings before being burned.hell no! what happened?
jessekovacs says: Feb 28, 2009. 7:22 PM REPLYMaybe you had too much power from the batteries. I'm kind new to this so that's my best bet. Maybe your solder was bad? I don't realy know. Sorry Icouldn't be more helpful.
jessekovacs says: Feb 28, 2009. 7:16 PM REPLYWhat wattage are the resistors you're using for the driver circuit? I don't think you said what they were anywhere.
tbone121 says: Feb 27, 2009. 8:44 PM REPLYCould i use one from a cd player?
shyguy567 says: Feb 27, 2009. 6:20 PM REPLYSo you don't reuse the circuit that comes with the original laser?
james.mcglashan says: Feb 27, 2009. 2:00 PM REPLYwoludnt this be ilegal because it would go over the laser limit allowing to be used because it could start a fire in the car on a pocket
and btw can this cut through steel. as i dought
taiidan says: Feb 26, 2009. 11:13 AM REPLYhi can i use a laptop dvd rw drive and whats the best driver 2 use?
zaery says: May 10, 2008. 9:32 AM REPLYSweet!!I just engraved my laptop with this laser!!!
JakeManes says: Nov 25, 2008. 12:10 PM REPLYI doubt its powerful enough to do that. Post some pics.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
zaery says: Feb 17, 2009. 7:52 PM REPLYSo, i know that i'm quite a few months old, but i was bored and remembered about your comment and that i lasered my DS and the back of my n93,so here they are, VOILA!!
zaery says: Feb 17, 2009. 7:59 PM REPLYwhoops, i didn't get the pics in there, here they are
sadunpererarules says: Feb 24, 2009. 8:29 AM REPLYwow. you really stuffed those up :D, so amped to make this now
zaery says: Nov 25, 2008. 4:02 PM REPLYIt was a black laptop, and i have since gotten rid of that one, it was old.
squit101 says: Feb 23, 2009. 2:55 PM REPLYhow much power can the diode ect take before burning out. and am i right in saying that the more power supplied the hotter the beam produced ??(obviously not limitless though)
elliotthehobo says: Feb 22, 2009. 2:43 PM (removed by community request)
nosebleedXD says: Feb 23, 2009. 1:40 PM REPLYthats cause the driver board that came with it can't output more than 5mw
you need to buy a new one
Flaminhaz says: Feb 5, 2009. 12:35 PM REPLYhi I was just wondering if i could use this diode: http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=220 because that isonly $9.99, green and 200mW Thanks =]PS: If anyone does buy these diodes or has bought them could they tell me if they are very bright or post a pic or something?
bylerfamily says: Feb 21, 2009. 1:55 PM REPLYYou could use it.
paper183 says: Feb 17, 2009. 7:51 AM REPLYThis is NOT green ! please be careful this is an infra-red diode you cannot see the light it makes and it's still very dangerous for your eyes !
bylerfamily says: Feb 11, 2009. 7:28 AM REPLYYes you could.
tomaretow says: Feb 20, 2009. 8:00 AM REPLYi got the diod so all i need to do is add power for the laser to work?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/
bylerfamily says: Feb 21, 2009. 1:54 PM REPLYYep.
jaeseven says: Feb 12, 2009. 8:18 PM REPLYmy diodes leads, prongs or whatever you want to call the, are not long enough to go all the way down in the mini mag. Is there a ways to lengthen them?
thanks
osxtiger says: Feb 17, 2009. 9:12 AM REPLYYou could solder 2 pieces of wire to the ends, but the heat may damage the diode, I'm not sure.
jaeseven says: Feb 20, 2009. 4:58 PM REPLYwell thanks, I was going to try to get some copper wire thin enough to fit in the holes, we'll see...
thanks again!
mortaldoom780 says: Feb 20, 2009. 1:48 PM REPLYI opened up an old DVD/CD burner of mine, but I found TWO diodes instead of one. One of them I accidentally destroyed :(. But I have one that I was able tosafely remove, but it only has TWO pins, not three. Does this mean it is not the right kind of diode (not a powerful DVD burner version)?
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