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?