How do I Add a Magnifying Lens to a Red Burning Laser?

The intensity of a red laser beam is dictated by both the amount of power being fed to the electronics powering it along with how tightly focused the beam being generated is. Adding a magnifying glass in front of a red laser diode will improve the beam’s focus and make the red burning laser’s beam even more powerful. A magnifying glass can be acquired in the correct size at a hobby store or crafts shop. The magnifying glass can then be placed in front of the red laser diode. The procedure does not need any special tools but does require bonding glue from a hardware store or hobby shop.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Newspaper
• Magnifying glass disc
• Bonding glue

Instructions

1. Remove the battery cap from the red burning laser pointer. Remove the batteries from the battery compartment.

2. Unscrew the front reflector off the red burning laser pointer with your hands--twist the front reflector off using the jaws of a pliers if the reflector has been glued on.

3. Place a sheet of newspaper on a table to protect its surface. Place the reflector on the newspaper face down.

4. Apply bonding glue around the inside rim of the reflector. Place the magnifying glass inside of the reflector. Press the magnifying glass disc against the sides of the reflector so that the bonding glue can take hold. Release the magnifying glass after a minute has passed. Let the bonding glue set for an hour.

5. Screw the reflector back onto the front of the red burning laser pointer--apply bonding glue to the front of the red burning laser pointer and hold it against the reflector for a minute if the two were glued together previously.

Tips & Warnings

• A glass magnifying glass will be more optically correct than a plastic magnifying glass.

• You can have a glass magnifying glass disc cut to order by an eyeglass store.

• Never aim a red burning laser at a person or pet.

• Do not turn on the red burning laser for more than a few seconds at a time as this can cause the red laser diode to overheat and burn out.

References

• Sky lasers: Burning Laser Pointers

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• YouTube: How To Make A Burning Laser