DVD laser retrofitted into Mini Mag flashlight
By Darren Murph 
posted August 10th 2007 7:01AM
posted August 10th 2007 7:01AM
If you've ever been memorized by the eerie glow of a laser diode (that would be everybody, no?), and don't mind hacking up a spare DVD drive in order to craft your own laser-based flashlight, this here project is all you. By extracting the laser diode from an unused DVD optical drive and obtaining an AixiZ Laser Module, a Mini Mag, and an assortment of fairly common tools, the laser that formerly read your flicks can now light your way. Of course, you should realize that beaming any living thing in the eyes with such a device is unsafe (and frankly, downright unkind), but feel free to hit the read link below, check the vid after the jump, and get to work if your trusty flashlight just isn't brightening your Laser Flashlight Hack! - video powered by Metacafe
I was curious when I saw this on Digg, and after watching the video, I agree. Remove this article. This isn't news it is just irresponsible and utterly useless. Unless the sole purpose of this how-to is so that you can mount them on sharks, I think it is best to take it down, Engadget.
actually I think it has huge potential. First it will be fun to play with a laser that powerful (responsibly off course)
Second I am thinking if I can gang up multiple lasers to increase power maybe I can make myself a laser cutter (for cutting balsa wood etc..) for a micro fraction of what the machines cost. I am thinking multiple diodes focused on another collimator and mounted into the head of an old autocad plotter. the potential is huge!!
Why are people morons for not knowing how weak or powerful lasers are among dvd drives? Is this common knowledge? I don't think so.
The contraction for the words "you are" isn't "your" but "you're". THAT is common knowledge.
LOL, people who rip on other people's grammer are the single most pathetic group of people on the internet. English is my 2nd language so I openly admit to not knowing all of the proper gramatical rules and spellings. Ripping on somsone's grammer is usually the direction a post takes when someone has nothing whatsoever to add to the topic.
As for your comments regarding people and thier supposed knowledge on how powerful a laser is, well they certainly knew enough to state that it was 150Mw and they even knew the proper way or writting the abbreviation for megawatt. Before posting something that was 100% completly unture maybe they should have eductaed themselves on this topic before posting at all. WOW now there is a breakthrough huh, actually making sure what your posting is correct before actually posting? All it would take is a 10 second search on Google to find out DVD players only have 5-10 mW lasers.
So basically your suggestion on people and thier knowledge on lasers was about as worthless as your grammer comments. now with that being said time for you to check the spelling of this post as well, lol.
Um, megawatt? I think you mean milliwatt- there's a factor of a million difference. A 150MW laser is a frickin' death star, not a DVD burner.
God knows what happened to the cat at the beginning of the film...
Why don't you just put a needle on a stick?
why does anyone need a mini burning laser?
all this video does is give me nightmares of the beam getting reflected out of the dvd burnder that sits in my laptop, directly infront of my groin, and emm.. doing some serious damage... :(
> beaming any living thing in the eyes with such a device is unsafe (and frankly, downright unkind)
Beaming someone in the eyes with such a device is about as save as stabbing someone in the eyes with a knife. This laser has an output power of over 100 mW. It is a class IIIb laser, which requires a licence. It will blind you permanantly within a 1/100th of a second or less, which is way faster than your can blink.
I don't think this article should be pulled, but the dangers should be mentioned clearly, without sarcasm or jokes.
I don't mean to be rude in asking this, but if it requires a license, why don't I have to have a license for my PC?
Could something similar (and hopefully safer) be done with an old CD Walkman??
Cool, I've always wanted a laser pointer to point out the constellations to my scouts on camputs, but wicked lasers are way too expensive. I may have to try this, since it sounds cheaper to make.
cool
How bout we take apart a PS3 and pull out the Blu Ray laser for extra fun? ;)
Here's mine.
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m75/michaelsteinbach/Blu-Ray%20Laser/?action=view¤t=47fabc5c.pbw
So can you take apart and do the same with a Blu-Ray burner??
That you you could get a ~$500 blue laser.
...?
That's what I said.
Finally, a helpful use for the PS3.
Kipkay has measured the output at 245mw using a Andover LPM-1 (a real lab tool, meaning its accurate). Burn away!
umm all the stuff about dangerous lasers i completely agree though i have to say that its not lk you cant buy powerful lasers of the internet, try : wickedlasers.com they sell a laser pointers made from Blu-Ray diodes!!!
whts next how to make a bomb?
Bombs are old hat, one-time use, and pretty much useless to your average techie. Unless of course your average techie just got fired. Whats the matter? The big, bad laser scare you? Yes it does. Because everyone here who wants this post taken down is too pround to admit that they have a fear that they will be walking to check their mail an will suddenly go blind because the kid down the street built one of theese things and decided to test it out on your face. Why not worry about more immediate dangers like horriffic car accidents, AIDS, lightning strikes, or gasp, TERRORIST ATTACKS!? Life is a risk. If you arent willing to accept that there are dangers that you could never prevent or predict you might as well hang up the towel and bury yourself now.
umm...it's a FREAKING LASER BEAM that BURNS THINGS... if you can figure out how to build one based off this DIY video and CAN'T grasp the fact that it's dangerous...you SHOULD be blinded.
Its not laser beams that scares me, its the disgruntled with a distorted sense of reality. We like blaming video games, sharp objects, and laser beams more then we like dealing with the source of the issue. Spend more time with your kids instead of demanding 'danger' labels on things.
Engadget is not your mommy.
I was going to make one of these for kicks, and i always wanted a lser like that to point out into the nighy sky, but after reading comments here about blinding u in milisconds before you can blink, has me worried. I would never intentionally shine it in some1s eyes, but accidents do occur, and I dont want to take that chance. Or what if a friend or family member is over and find the light, flicks it on, and does an "oh cool" expression and shines it in some1s eyes for kick? If it really does blind instantly, there goes your vision.
Im gonna play it safe and not make it.
Imma chargin mah lazer!
(Sorry, couldn't resist! :-)
So I tried to do this with my existing laser that I made with a laser diode from a drive and it shorted out and burned out my diode.
People get real. Whether the laser is 5, 10, 150, 200, or 250mW does it matter? This laser is harmful and very dangerous. It's that simple. And, everyone that's talking about minors reading this blog, I'm right here!(hope pedophiles don't read it) I also don't think the contests, "Ask Engadget," etc. are 'news', but are informative. No one is complaining about the contests not being real news, you (including me) are greedy and want to win something. If some 11-year old goes on some blinding spree, it's his fault, not ours, not Engadget's. Yeah, this is lethal to some extent. Guns have been around for too long to count, and a 9V battery can kill you too!
Who saw this in your Instructables 'Weekend Builder' newsletter yesterday?
I'm an ophthalmologist. I have a 532 nm diode laser in my office and when I intentionally want to photocoagulate the retina I start at only 100 mw at 0.1 sec exposure. You can coagulate the iris if the beam doesn't make it through the pupil. The issue here is the diameter of the beam off this DVD diode. If it is a huge diameter and the exposure is only until the blink reflex kicks in then it probably won't heat the retina very much.
Don't build one. Why take the risk?
You can get severely hurt ouside of your house, why take the risk?
J*sus Christ... Call the wahmbulence. While I agree the video does need a disclaimer about the dangers of such a powerful laser, everyone posting here needs to untie the knot in their panties.
I love this ! I already ordered some modules and already have some donor drivers. Personally I will not be using a maglight. I am going to make a nice case for it with a KEY interlock. (it IS dangerous) on top of this I will not even be taking apart a drive until my Red Laser Protective goggles have arrived. I only have 1 working eye (born that way) so I am not going to stupidly risk it without taking safety precautions.
My biggest concern is I want to show this to people PLAY with this with people. I will have to wait until I can effectively protect them with either more goggles or a large barrier of the lens material to keep everyone safe.
This is going to be fun. those who complain because its dangerous are idiots. I fly rockets. I sky dive. I plan to do gravity runs down kills in a custom made vehicle that will hit over 100mph)
FUN things are NOT SAFE. but you can reduce the risk by doing them intelligently.
I am going to build myself some lasers. I am going to have fun with them I am going to ENJOY THEM. I will do so safely.
The ONLY unsafe part of this project is using a mag light. The lack of a key interlock is a BIG nono. The danger is not in me burning out my eye (that called a darwin aware) the danger is someone picking this up UNAWARE that its putting out that much power. And while it still not my problem if they stick it in there eye (thats called darwinism) IT IS my problem if a reflection gets them as they would have no way of knowing the danger. THATS WHY your supposed to use a key interlock. So they have to physically DO SOMETHING to engage the device. In doing so they will see the warning that this is dangerous.
Banning stuff is stupid. Doing stuff safely is not stupid. I would suggest modding the video to include a key interlock somehow. It would even be nice is someone could machine a tube extension with a keyswitch in the end that would screw into a normal mag light. Think remove battery cap screw in this new tube with a key.
Stop being paranoid. Have fun just do it safely.
Awesome
?
can i use a cd burner?
what about a cd drive?
jeez guys you need to calm down. and BTW this topic was on slashdot too. i dont think kids are going to go out buying dvd burners, laser modules, and mag lights all of a sudden so they can me a cool laser pointer.
How do I mount this laser onto my sharks?
so is 150mw output power or input,
and even if you do try it, put in a potentiometer or a resistor so you dont burn the laser diode.
its really dangerous and can harm your eyesight
Duely noted. I hate that some people think its everyone else's responsibility to protect the ignorant. If someone has the know-how to follow this tutorial, they can certianly read the warnings. It's not a matter of irresponsible posting if someone cooks their retna, its a matter of irresponsible use of the information provided. You want lasers outlawed because some kid around where you lived crashed a bus? Well, the same thing happened in my area, only instead of a laser, they used a bunch of bb's in a hankerchief. Those kids were never caught. Why not outlaw bb's BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO YOUR KID'S BUS?? Additionally, bazookagun's rant is insane. The prices on those 200 - 300MW lasers are upwards of $1700. What kind of irresponsible child is going to have that kind of money? Why dont you all go pester the websites that tell kids how to make explosives with the same chemicals you keep under the sink, or do you have a lock on those cabinets? Now thats an idea! If you have spare DVD burners, lock them away, JUST IN CASE your little evil genius decides he wants a cool laser that burns stuff. Alternatively, you can permanantly affix a welder's mask to their face if you are worried about someone elses' child going through all the trouble to build this. Even better, why not buy some shackels and chain your kids to a wall in your basement, that will keep them from harm. Forget about this post. Just because the information is out there does not mean that your little Bobby is going to get blinded within the next week by one of his 4th grade classmates, in fact it is much more likely that you and your child will be killed tomorrow by a drunk driver. Happy life! :)
where can one get those pieces neede to do that mod?