DIY Laser Flashlight
Laser pointers are commonplace these days because their components are inexpensive and easily obtained. A do-it-yourself (DIY) laser flashlight only requires a few parts from a laser supply shop, along with supplies from a hobby shop and a disposable flashlight. You don't need electronic skills to make a laser flashlight, although adult supervision is necessary if the person making it is a minor.
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Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Laser module
- Wire cutters
- Red laser diode
- Tweezers
- Mini disposable flashlight
- Needle-nosed pliers
- Two conductive pins
- Soldering iron
- Solder
Instructions
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1
Put a sheet of newspaper on a table. Unscrew the laser module between your hands.
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2
Clamp the jaws of the needle-nosed pliers around the top edge of the laser assembly sticking out of the back end of the laser module. Pull the assembly out of the module with the pliers.
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3
Cut the two wires attached to the contacts on the bottom of the laser assembly with the wire cutters.
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4
Heat up the soldering iron for six minutes. Solder one end of a conductive pin to the center contact on the bottom of the laser assembly. Let the solder cool for two minutes. Solder one end of the other conductive pin to the contact to the right of the center contact on the bottom of the laser assembly. Let the solder cool for two minutes.
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5
Pick up the red laser diode by the base above the two pins sticking out of the bottom with the tweezers.
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6
Insert the longer of the two pins sticking out from the bottom of the red laser diode into the center hole in the top of the laser assembly.
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7
Insert the shorter pin sticking out from the bottom of the red laser diode into the hole to the right of the center hole.
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8
Push down on the red laser diode to fully engage the two pins into the holes. Remove the tweezers.
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9
Unscrew the battery cap from the back of the mini disposable flashlight. Remove the batteries.
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10
Unscrew the reflector from the front of the mini disposable flashlight. Push the plastic lens that is inside of the reflector out with your finger. Dispose of the plastic lens.
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11
Remove the retaining ring that is circling the front end of the flashlight.
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12
Unscrew the bulb from the front of the flashlight with your fingers. Dispose of the bulb properly.
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13
Insert the end of the conductive pin attached to the center contact on the bottom of the laser assembly into the hole in the center of the bulb assembly in the front end of the flashlight.
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14
Drip a drop of solder on the center hole. Let the solder cool for a minute.
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15
Solder the end of the other conductive pin attached to the bottom of the laser assembly to the contact circling the hole in the bulb assembly. Let the solder cool for a minute.
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16
Carefully orient the laser assembly so it's inside the flashlight with the red laser diode facing out.
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17
Put the retaining ring back onto the front of the flashlight. Screw the reflector back onto the front.
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18
Insert the batteries into the battery compartment at the back end of the flashlight. Screw the battery cap back on.
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19
Aim your DIY laser flashlight at a far wall. Press the "On" button on the flashlight to project a red beam of laser light.
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Tips & Warnings
Never aim a laser beam at a person or a pet's eye because it can damage the retina.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit flashlight image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com
