Turn a flashlight into a handheld burning laser

johnnymk · 08-09-2007, 11:38 AM

WARNING: Can be very dangerous to eyes when in use!

http://lifehacker.com/software/diy/t...ser-287252.php

DIYer Kipkay extracts the laser from a DVD burner and mounts it in a small flashlight to create a handheld laser burner that can light matches and burst balloons. Hit the play button to see how he did it. This project isn't for the faint of heart: it involves pretty specialized components and soldering, but that'll all be worth it when you're camping with your pals and you start the fire by pointing your homemade handheld laser at the tinder. For more info, Kip posted the laser mod over at Instructables, too.

UPDATE: Several readers rightly point out that your burning handheld laser could pose a safety risk to humans, especially when pointed at eyeballs. Watch your kids, proceed at your own risk, treat as you would a weapon, etc. Thank you.

Maarchk · 08-09-2007, 02:54 PM

Thats pretty cool. I could see that being a helpful camping device... although i'd imagine people already have one? Or maybe its just a zippo. i guess the point of a laser beam is just to look cooler? I do have old drives, so maybe i will give this a try. Umm does it have to be dvd, or do you think a cd would work? I will have to see what old drives i have.

cool article.

uncledaddy · 08-09-2007, 03:33 PM

Man, I've got to try this!

johnnymk · 08-09-2007, 04:05 PM

Yes, it must be a DVD laser and it says 16X.

gwilks98 · 08-09-2007, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maarchk

Thats pretty cool. I could see that being a helpful camping device... although i'd imagine people already have one? Or maybe its just a zippo. i guess the point of a laser beam is just to look cooler? I do have old drives, so maybe i will give this a try. Umm does it have to be dvd, or do you think a cd would work? I will have to see what old drives i have.

cool article.

I think CD burners use IR instead of a colored laser.
The comments of the original posting indicate that these are extremely dangerous to eyesight, even if reflecting off a surface like glass. Someone was saying it can damage your retinas faster than you can blink at that output, even if reflected off a surface like glass.

But I'm on board with everyone else, I really want to try this...
I wonder what kind of laser you could built off a full size maglite.

Airencracken · 08-09-2007, 06:20 PM

Much cheaper than www.wickedlasers.com.

johnnymk · 08-09-2007, 06:50 PM

How many batteries are in a maglite/ Two or four?

If you put it in a larger case with let's say a 9 volt battery, would the circuitry or laser be destroyed or would it create a more powerful output?

uncledaddy · 08-09-2007, 06:53 PM

That flashlight was a Mini Mag and uses 2 AA batteries.

gwilks98 · 08-10-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnymk

How many batteries are in a maglite/ Two or four?

They make a variety. In the mini? 2 AA. They've got some form of a micro, as well.

Then the regular ones come in 2D, 3D, 4D, and God knows what else.

Chgoman · 08-11-2007, 01:58 PM

Lets see if the AA one lets me start fires, with the 4D one...

uncledaddy · 08-12-2007, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwilks98

They make a variety. In the mini? 2 AA. They've got some form of a micro, as well.

Then the regular ones come in 2D, 3D, 4D, and God knows what else.

Micro use 1AAA and 2AAA. and Regulars up to 6D. I've never seen anything larger. Also there are rechargeable versions.

johnnymk · 08-12-2007, 12:05 PM

There are additional postings on this link. This device is just about as dangerous to a person's eyes as imaginable/ It can blind you or cause permanent damage to your retina in an instant.

uncledaddy · 08-12-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnymk

There are additional postings on this link. This device is just about as dangerous to a person's eyes as imaginable/ It can blind you or cause permanent damage to your retina in an instant.

As with any other high intensity light. A regular laser pointer can do the same. Wouldn't think as fast though.

MrGreg · 08-12-2007, 11:35 PM

I've been trying and trying to come up with a legitimate use for one of these. I really want to build one, but feel I need at least one good use. Any ideas?

DarkFury · 08-13-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGreg

I've been trying and trying to come up with a legitimate use for one of these. I really want to build one, but feel I need at least one good use. Any ideas?

Lighting cigarettes?

(not that anyone needs to smoke...)

Starting a fireplace (kinda like an electronic "Aim and Flame" unit?

Paymaster · 08-13-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGreg

I've been trying and trying to come up with a legitimate use for one of these.

Easily "erasing" CDs/DVDs before discarding them?

Markel · 08-13-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGreg

I've been trying and trying to come up with a legitimate use for one of these. I really want to build one, but feel I need at least one good use. Any ideas?

I wonder if it would work to zap flies that are buzzing around your house?

Paymaster · 08-13-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markel

I wonder if it would work to zap flies that are buzzing around your house?

You might just end up with blind flies.

Napoleon54 · 08-13-2007, 12:00 PM

DIY electrolysis, give yourself a permanent bikini wax.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paymaster

You might just end up with blind flies.

ROTFL

gwilks98 · 08-13-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGreg

I've been trying and trying to come up with a legitimate use for one of these. I really want to build one, but feel I need at least one good use. Any ideas?

hmmm...I wonder if this thing is powerful enough to burn off unwanted butt hair....

johnnymk · 08-13-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markel

I wonder if it would work to zap flies that are buzzing around your house?

But if you don't fully zap it,

"BE AFRAID......BE VERY AFRAID"

08-09-2007, 11:38 AM	#1
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	Turn a flashlight into a handheld burning laser WARNING: Can be very dangerous to eyes when in use! http://lifehacker.com/software/diy/t...ser-287252.php DIYer Kipkay extracts the laser from a DVD burner and mounts it in a small flashlight to create a handheld laser burner that can light matches and burst balloons. Hit the play button to see how he did it. This project isn't for the faint of heart: it involves pretty specialized components and soldering, but that'll all be worth it when you're camping with your pals and you start the fire by pointing your homemade handheld laser at the tinder. For more info, Kip posted the laser mod over at Instructables, too. UPDATE: Several readers rightly point out that your burning handheld laser could pose a safety risk to humans, especially when pointed at eyeballs. Watch your kids, proceed at your own risk, treat as you would a weapon, etc. Thank you.

08-09-2007, 02:54 PM	#2
Maarchk Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Where the east meets the west. Posts: 3,066	Thats pretty cool. I could see that being a helpful camping device... although i'd imagine people already have one? Or maybe its just a zippo. i guess the point of a laser beam is just to look cooler? I do have old drives, so maybe i will give this a try. Umm does it have to be dvd, or do you think a cd would work? I will have to see what old drives i have. cool article. __________________ "The girl is crafty like ice is cold." "I left my heart in san francisco... And my liver at Moe's Tavern." A real friend is one who listens to you as much as they talk to you.

08-09-2007, 03:33 PM	#3
uncledaddy Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: With Me, Myself, and I...wondering why we can't get along! Posts: 2,583	Man, I've got to try this! __________________

08-09-2007, 06:20 PM	#6
Airencracken Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: California Posts: 6,681	Much cheaper than www.wickedlasers.com. __________________ "I remember my first orgasm, I just wish someone was there to share it with me..."11-05-2003 05:33 AM - Topane They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, & the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opiate of the masses. - Karl Marx Hell is other people - Jean-Paul Sartre

08-12-2007, 11:35 PM	#14
MrGreg Captain Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,529	I've been trying and trying to come up with a legitimate use for one of these. I really want to build one, but feel I need at least one good use. Any ideas? __________________ -The nerd formerly known as vectorcalculus

08-09-2007, 04:05 PM	#4
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	Yes, it must be a DVD laser and it says 16X.

08-09-2007, 06:50 PM	#7
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	How many batteries are in a maglite/ Two or four? If you put it in a larger case with let's say a 9 volt battery, would the circuitry or laser be destroyed or would it create a more powerful output?

08-09-2007, 06:53 PM	#8
uncledaddy Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: With Me, Myself, and I...wondering why we can't get along! Posts: 2,583	That flashlight was a Mini Mag and uses 2 AA batteries.

08-11-2007, 01:58 PM	#10
Chgoman Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 696	Lets see if the AA one lets me start fires, with the 4D one...

08-12-2007, 12:05 PM	#12
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	There are additional postings on this link. This device is just about as dangerous to a person's eyes as imaginable/ It can blind you or cause permanent damage to your retina in an instant.

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