I haven't made one of these lasers but was considering it as a project. From my reading on the instructions I think that it does two things. One is to hold the collimating lens so you can focus the diode, and the other is to act as a heat sink for the diode. If it does anymore than that, I am unaware of it.

Thats what I thought! I found the site the other day and as I have a spare DVD writer, I thought, WTF why not make one! If it is just a heat sink then I could make a heat sink and holder! Maybe the lens would be difficult to get hold of! Any thoughts on that?

I was thinking of cannibalizing the parts from a $5 laser pointer I got at a computer fair years ago. My concern is what the lens is made out of in the cheap pointers. So far I haven't even decided if I am going to do this project so not a lot of research has gone into it so far.

Let me know how you make out, perhaps even put up a post in workbench creations when your done. I also saw plans for a circuit to limit the power to the laser so that you don't burn it out so fast. If you just connect it to the flashlight batteries you may overheat it. Good luck, and don't hurt yourself or others.

I'm in the same boat! It's another thing floating around in the grey matter!

Hello Mr. Truman Brain

It appears that the front 'glass' from the Maglite has to be removed for this to work.

The lens you are talking about, is included as part of the actual laserdiode assembly, it is not removable, but is part of the laserdiode construction.

Remember to wear dark glasses, even the reflection from a polished surface, or a mirror, is enough to cause permanent retinal damage.

We don't want to see you with a dog and white cane.

Hope that assists you.

Kind Regards....

I've taken the lens out of my cheap laser pointers before, its mounted in a threaded brass piece so that you can focus the laser, definitely not part of the laser diode assembly.

Did you see the http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/4469/HOWTO-make-a-laser-cutter-for-less-than-50-bucks blog entry? Well worth a look.

A lot of people are pulling apart laser drives. The cylindrical thing with two wires coming out is the laser diode. It's probably 808nm or 980nm. The optical output power on these guys is in the tens of milliwatts. You'll also find a few small optics in the drive to culminate the laser beam. People are also creating violet lasers (405nm) by doing the same to Blu-Ray drives.

You can have a lot more fun by picking up laser diodes on eBay, as well as a whole lot of other laser stuff. Search on "industrial lasers" and especially here.

One more thing - I don't know of a single electronic device on the market today that is more susceptible to ESD than diode lasers! Just looking at them can cause them to go poof! So be very careful in that respect!!!

Cheers Vermin! I saw some safety specs on the link, probably a good idea to splash out on them as well!