How to Make a Red LED Laser Pointer

A laser pointer uses a LED (light emitting diode) powered by electricity to create a laser beam that can travel great distances. You can make your own red LED laser pointer using a few hardware items and a red LED laser module which has a red LED already in it and is available at a hobby or electronic shop. If you are proficient in using a soldering iron, your red LED laser pointer can work as effectively as any that are sold commercially and will cost you much less as well.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Flashlight
• Red LED laser module
• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Two conductive pins
• Wire cutters
• Silicone paste

Instructions

1. Put the newspaper down on a table. Remove the flashlight’s battery cap. Remove the batteries and put them aside. Put the battery cap aside. Unscrew the reflector from off of the front of the flashlight. Discard the lens inside of the reflector. Put the reflector down on the newspaper. Remove the reflector ring from around the front of the flashlight and put it down on the newspaper.

2. Grab each side of the red LED laser module with your hands and unscrew the two halves of the laser module. Put the half of the red LED laser module that has the laser assembly with the red LED in it face down on the newspaper. Discard the other half of the laser module.

3. Locate the two small holes on the red LED laser module that is on the newspaper. Insert a conductive pin into each of the red LED laser contact holes and solder them into place.

4. Use the wire cutters to cut off the two wires trailing off from the end of the red LED laser module.

5. Unscrew the incandescent bulb from inside of the flashlight and discard it.

6. Place the red LED laser module into the flashlight, conductive pins first. Place the retaining ring back onto the flashlight. Screw the reflector back into the flashlight. Apply silicone paste around the red LED laser module where it touches the sides of the reflector. Let the silicone paste set.

7. Reinsert the batteries into the flashlight. Put the battery cap back on. Aim the red LED laser pointer you have made at a far wall and depress the switch to project a beam of red laser light onto the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Use as fine a tip on the soldering iron as possible to keep your solder connections small.

• Never aim a laser pointer at a person’s face because the light can damage the retina of the eye.

References

• Wicked How-To's: Burning Laser How-To

Resources

• Information Unlimited: Red Laser Modules