Look forward to seeing the results Chris.

Tweakie.

!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/980nm-500mw-large-Power-Red-Laser-Module_W0QQitemZ260436822168QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Industrial_Tools_Generators_ET?hash=item3ca33e8898&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|293%3A1|294%3A30

good buy?

Hi Chris,

The output from this is in the infrared part of the spectrum so the beam is hardly, if at all, visible. Setting the focus would have to be trial and error. No idea if it would work well or not.

Tweakie.

k thanks

Excellent definition there Lovebee. 

Tweakie.

You need to be wearing protective goggles. Do not look at the reflected beam without them.
If you use a benchtop PSU then providing 2 to 3 volts to the laser control board the laser will emit a LED beam (without lasing) which is easy to focus. Then turn up the wick to 5 Volts. (a DC power source would be better).

Tweakie.

Tweakie,

I found your web page to be full of so much information and humor, (Sorry to Hear About sam 20+ years was bloomin good going eh? Loosing A Best Friend is heartbreaking)

Ok, I have a:

LM-101-A1 - 650nM - 1mW Red Laser

Im trying to cut through black foam, same stuff on your webpage, for RC use and to make inserts for boxes..

The data Sheet Says Input is This:

Laser line dimension 60 degree
Laser line length at 3M 3.5 m
Laser line width at 3M 6 mm
Electrical
Current draw - 20 40 mA
Supply voltage 3 - 5 V
General
Body Brass
Lens Acryl

I have another 2 Lens, one froma DVD Drive, and another from a old Red laser i took apart...

Im trying it on 3v, with a lens infront of the unit, and i can get a tiny tiny tiny point...But no burn on a black surface..

Is 5v Enough to pump out a burning laser? The specs are close to your laser?

Just to add to the Above, Your A Rc fan, I can Just Use a UBEC 5v/3a From A Lithium pack to give me a clean 5v ....? Right :-S

Hi Cosha,

I think that using the lithium pack is a brilliant idea, certainly a clean supply (no spikes at switch on etc.).

The laser has to be focused to the tiniest possible dot (size of a pin prick) to be effective but 1mW is just not enough power. You need at least 150mW to be in with a chance but 1 Watt would be even better.

Tweakie.

(I have said this before but please be extremely careful with diode lasers, the beam reflects of almost anything and you must wear protective goggles of the correct wavelength at all times. The wavelength of these devices makes them many many more times dangerous to our eyesight than, for example CO2 lasers.)

Ah crud, i just machined a nice holder for this aswell! Lookis like im going to have a good look at ebay then!

Im only putting 1.5v through the diode to test the focus...

Im not so advance as to build my own driver for a diode just yet so ill have to look for one complete!

Im guessing the Driver on this board is not enough to power a 150mW?

Iv have started so ill finished :-)

i just spent 2 hours machining too, doh!

My sympathy's - I have been there, done it and read the book 

Dar303's posting here is also relevant to your project   http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=16760.new;topicseen#new

Tweakie.