How To Turn a Mini Maglite Into a Laser

[AJ@PR]

from /.

Lucas123 writes
"Using the laser from a DVD burner, this instructional video shows you how to create a hand-held laser that is powerful enough to light a match and pop a balloon. There's some soldering involved and the Maglite's bulb housing needs to be drilled out to fit the new laser diode, but with some basic skill, most people could do this. Just plain cool."
Update: 07/09 12:23 GMT by KD : Warning, the device that results from following these instructions will blind you if you look into it.

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And here are the comments @ +5

WARNING::: This is dangerous. Neither me, nor TheBestCaseScenario take ANY responsibility over what you do with this. Safety 1st!

[xRyokenx]

Looks cool... I'll have to go buy another one of those things and make one after I get some experience at school from soldering, lol. Can you use the laser from a CD drive too? Or is it just the burner?

EDIT: If you look through some of the reviews, they have a link to an article on the Geneva Convention concerning laser weapons, this may be considered as one, and if so, it is illegal to possess and/or make. Just a warning, be careful guys.

[AJ@PR]

Can you use the laser from a CD drive too? Or is it just the burner?

I'd imagine you can use the laser from a CD drive...
Just don't expect 'burning'.

[xRyokenx]

I'd imagine you can use the laser from a CD drive...
Just don't expect 'burning'.

Just read on that... if I get a cheap burner I'll go ahead and use that, I like the one I have now. The DVD burner I have burns a disc in about 5-15mins and my CD burner burns a disc in about 5 mins... makes ya wonder if it's the fast processor or the burner... /OT

[AJ@PR]

^^^
Are those burning times for the same disc?
Or are you comparing a 800MB CD with a 4.7GB DVD?

wierd

[xRyokenx]

They're not for the same disc. The DVD Burner doesn't burn CDs worth a **** and the CD Burner has obvious limitations. It's for the corresponding discs, lol. I burned a backup copy of something (full disc, I think too) and it did it hella fast. I'm wondering how it's burning so quickly... I'll do a check of it when I get home, remind me, and I'll post it on here or PM you if you want.

[D1337]

+rep

*gonna test it on some squirrels*

[.Maleficus.]

Damn, I only have my one DVD burner (that I never use but it's nice to have). If both my burners were DVD burners, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Do you think it would work with CD burners? I've got a few laying around, but I don't want to destroy them for nothing...


Edit: Turns out I have a DVD burner from a dead eMachines case. COOL! I'm definitely going to do this.

[Omega]

I'm pretty sure the Geneva convention only covers Laser "weapons" illegal in warfare, and even if it doesn't, you're not making an uber-high-powered laser, just enough to annoy people at the worst =/

[AJ@PR]

Guys,

Acclaratory note:::
THIS LASER IS EXTREMELY POWERFUL AND DANGEROUS.
No, I am NOT kiddin'.

I doubt a CD laser will work.

This laser can cause blindness, burns in the skin, fsckup the rods/cones inside your eyes...

So, let me state it mildly:::
If you run around with this thing, pointing it at people... you're a Class A Asshole.

If you're not doing that, enjoy.