G'day from Australia!

[devilsdome]

Hey there, from Australia. I'm Kev - and have recently acquired the wanting to make my own laser pointers, ie: the MagLite torch laser hack - after seeing that, I can't wait to make one!


One of the big main reasons is that Australia just recently passed a Customs Ban on ANY laser pointer imported into the country, that is over 1mW. Now that completely sucks. I've attached the picture of the Customs ban warning I scanned in from last weeks paper.

But anyway, upon seeing how easy and awesome (not to mention CHEAP) it is to make your own laser, not to mention the power that you can get out of a single 16x DVD Burner diode; I figured it'd be awesome to make it myself, and not give a rat's ass about buying these overpriced lasers from overseas and get them confiscated by Customs anyway.

I can't wait to try that MagLite hack. I'm importing the 16x dvd burner diode as we speak. Perfectly legal. Then to buy a MagLite torch off eBay again at a cheap price - and with my exceptional soldering skills (having done 3 years of normal electronics in High School, then 2 years of VET Electrotechnology II - University/TAFE level electronics where I made a Guitar distortion pedal and a high grade tazer), I shouldn't have no trouble when it comes to soldering and components and whatnot.

I will keep updates with my future lasers.... I hope to effectively make a triple laser (Three 16x dvd diodes in one, effectively being around 200mW each), one day. We'll see how my first try goes anyways.

I'm totally open to any information, etc from experienced laser builders, etc - the more I know, the easier and more effective It'll be. Thanks in advance!




Anyways, G'day from Australia!

Cheers,
-Kev-

 

[devilsdome]

Ah apologies for the large picture - I didn't know it was that big, so sorry for not resizing....

Let's try that again: (re-attached).

 

[Murudai]

Cool, another Australian. I'm also Australian, so is a bunch of other people here. We're around.

And we're all hating upon those new laws

 

[devilsdome]

Cool, another Australian. I'm also Australian, so is a bunch of other people here. We're around.

That's good to hear, usually the forums I'm on are mostly American and UK, etc. (Guitar forums and whatnot). But yeah, it's good to see other Australian's lurking

And we're all hating upon those new laws

Yeah that's a pain in the arse... Though I suppose it makes it more delicious to make our own high powered laser pointers, mainly because of the laws (if we can't buy em, we'll make em!), and not buy the overpriced stuff overseas.


Anyway, cheers man.

 

[el-taco]

Hey DaDevil, whats cracking manigga?

I saw the Kev, the black label, and the Australia, and the scan of the paper and I knew it was you

 

[GooeyGus]

This whole Australian ban thing really cracks me up. People who would normally not have even necessarily wanted a laser, or those who didn't even know that really high power ones exist, are wanting to build or buy one now because they've been sensationalized so much by the Aussie media. ;D

Welcome!!

 

[Murudai]

Media is pretty stupid in that way

 

[devilsdome]

or those who didn't even know that really high power ones exist, are wanting to build or buy one now because they've been sensationalized so much by the Aussie media.

Media is pretty stupid in that way

Yeah I agree... Upon bringing that up, now that it's more well known regarding those lasers and more and more people will know sooner by the day, this law is going to cause more crap than it would have if they had just regulated lasers instead of putting a blanket ban on them...

More and more people are just going to make them, or find another way to "get past" this ban... I know I am. But not for stupidity with lasers, not those idiots. But more of a... hobbyist... Making them for the sake of getting to know how optics and lasers work, etc. And for the fun of having a high powered laser.

=D

 

[diachi]

Welcome to LPF !

Why doesn't someone in AU try making DIY greenies ? and if you succeed you can sell them on to people

 

[greenzx9r]

Hi to all, I am in Australia too. Can I just clarify one thing?? I have heard it is totally legal to import the modules (laser part) from .olike.com and then build them ourselves.. can someone please confirm this as correct? I have just ordered a 100mw and hope it turns up.

 

[jnrpop]

G/day Kev, welcome to the forum.
Yer im in AUS too and these laws do put a handicap on our hobby but we manage!
[highlight]
Why doesn't someone in AU try making DIY greenies ? and if you succeed you can sell them on to people [/highlight]
Thats a pretty good idea, we have bluray who is excellent for diode's and other parts, modules and such but a supplier of 532nm lasers would be great.
Anyways welcome kev, there's alot of info on LPF to help ya out on future builds.
P.S Make sure you use a driver for the MagLite Hack u see on Hackedgagets and other websites. He didnt use one and it was hooked straight up to the batts. No Driver=Heavily Decreased lifetime of diode.

 

[Spyderz20x6]

NO!!!
Don't do the Maglite hack!
You will kill you diode, without using a driver!

 

[StiG]

Well welcome to the forums...that sucks 1mW?!?! that is hardly anything.... Was there a reason for the ban?

 

[greenzx9r]

yeah, a few people thought it would be fun to point their lasers at planes. This happened several times so they police thought they had better do something to protect us from ourselves. Just like our stupid gun laws.

 

[spaceman_hux]

wooohooo lots of aussies ;D

yeah the ban sucks but like devilsdome says it doesnt stop you ordering parts

 

[jander6442]

Welcome and I hope you treated well.