Recent content by TrailBlazer84562

I have a handful of LM35s lyin around, but they take away from the simplicity of this solution. I am trying to find some prolytic graphite as we speak. The first website wanted 100 bucks a unit! Another site is selling 20mmx20mm squares for three bucks, but they want 10 bucks for shipping. I'll...

So I know this is a very old thread, but after hours and hours of searching, this is the first DIY meter that I think has a chance of being calibrated without using an already calibrated system. While the DIY meters we have here are great, they all require a known source or a calibrated...

So I was reading up on all the safety lens posts that we have here. I am interested in using safety lenses for this setup, just to practice good habits and show the kids that safety is important. But obviously at 5mW, I need some low OD glasses if I still want to see the laser dot in the...

The youth group already has a fog machine, so I don't need to worry about acquiring one of those. I tested some red laser pointers I got in the mail with just a mister, and they appear to be quite visible. I am trying to borrow the fog machine right now to try that out. I read somewhere that...

Thanks, I read that thread, but it ended up somewhere I didn't want to go with it. I didn't realize it was so recent, otherwise I would have started the discussion back up again. Do old HDD platters really work well as reflectors? If the cheap mirrors I bought don't do the trick, I may...

Thanks, Things, that was some useful information. I was aware that green would give me the most bang per milliwatt, but I was scared about the infrared by the report at laserpointersafety.com That magnifying lens test sounds very practical. I read definitively that 5mW is safe as long you don't...

In fear of being the "noob" asking a stupid question (or a series of stupid questions) I have tried to do as much research on this topic as possible, but seeing as how I am new to the world of lasers and optics, I wanted to engage a savvy and informative group of individuals to make sure I did...