Turn a maglite into a burning laser

MattVortex · **Posted:** August 9th, 2007, 11:28 am

http://lifehacker.com/software/diy/turn ... 287252.php

Looks quite impressive. I imagine the laser LEDs in DVD burners are pretty powerful.

Adbot · **Posted:** August 9th, 2007, 11:28 am

Kirby · **Posted:** August 9th, 2007, 12:14 pm

That looks awesome!

the instructions were too fast for me to understand.

Chris · **Posted:** August 9th, 2007, 1:11 pm

There is a similar (but much more complicated) way of doing that with a PS3 blu-ray diode to make a homeade blu-ray laser pointer. Just FYI, blu-ray lasers are actually violet in color.

I need to try this though, but I wish I could get the measurement of power. But hey, you can find cheap 16x burners on Ebay, and the casings aren't expensive either. Otherwise I can simply buy a burning 100mW red laser for about $200 (green ones are much cooler, but much more expensive).

Matt · **Posted:** August 9th, 2007, 3:54 pm

I just love how they completely downplay how dangerous the laser is. I saw no mention of laser protective goggles in that article.

If you're planning on making this "burning laser" be sure to purchase some laser protective goggles for a wavelength of 650nm. Use these goggles when converting the laser and while using it. If you use it around other people make sure they have goggles as well.

Also, in reference to the part about cd-burning diodes inside a dvd burner, DO NOT use the IR cd-player diode. You'll burn your eyes out.

- Matt

Chris · **Posted:** August 9th, 2007, 8:29 pm

Matt wrote:

I just love how they completely downplay how dangerous the laser is. I saw no mention of laser protective goggles in that article.

If you're planning on making this "burning laser" be sure to purchase some laser protective goggles for a wavelength of 650nm. Use these goggles when converting the laser and while using it. If you use it around other people make sure they have goggles as well.

Also, in reference to the part about cd-burning diodes inside a dvd burner, DO NOT use the IR cd-player diode. You'll burn your eyes out.

- Matt

Yay for invisible lasers =D

But yeah, I did notice that. No warning label on it either. Just think if someone picked it up thinking it was a flashlight, what could happen.

I may actually try this though (with a friend who will actually know what he's doing).