Laser pointers.

One of the guys did a flea market run this weekend. He knew I was looking around for a source for cheap laser pointer/toys, so I could strip the lasers out of them..

He found me a deal. 15 Laser pointer-Animal toys, for $20 bucks.

These are key chain things with end caps you can change project images instead if just a point. The 3 button cells in each package alone, is worth more.

A good source for DIY laser projects.. I've made a few interesting things with them in the past.

Jamie

Reply to
Jamie
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Have you tried DealExtreme? A bit more expensive than that but they have greens and at least one violet lasers, too.

Reply to
krw

Pretty lame. Beyond lame, in fact.

Also, you do know that they are less than a buck each, and YOU paid MORE than a buck each for them, right?

Take a 200 mW laser out of a simple old DVD or CD burner, and replace the stupid one in your lame pointers.

youtube has many videos on how to do the changeout.

Reply to
Chieftain of the Carpet Crawlers

D'oh moment -- I've been trying to think of how to hand-machine nice button cell holders for things like active RF probes and other teeny handheld one-off bits of lab kit.

OF COURSE it makes sense to scavenge them out of laser pointers or flashlights or whatever.

D'oh.

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Reply to
Tim Wescott

Is there a Dollar Store where you are? Over here at the 99 Cent Store you can get a laser pointer plus the batteries for $0.99 each, plus tax.

But, at least you got a neat animal too...

Reply to
Michael

I've done that before, but that was when the first laser pointers came out. The cases were better made however, I guess you still can buy the chrome plated barrel cases..

Either way, you still need to machine the bushing for the probe tip, that is where a little lathe and collets come in, which I have :0.

Selection of material and thickness comes into play to keep the capacitance down at the tip. I found that thin teflon washers worked a treat with one experiment..

The units I got I wouldn't recommend for this use. The cases are plastic with a conductive coating inside the barrel. Of course, if that don't bother you then you're golden..

If you don't have any yet, you can find the cheap ones where they sell pet toys..

Jamie

Reply to
Jamie

Yes, we have a dollar store however, they don't have any laser pointers, at all and they don't stock them. Already looked.

Jamie.

Reply to
Jamie

Here's a one-stop shop fer lasers, as cheap as $3:

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Looks like they got it all. Free shipping, too.

nb

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Reply to
notbob

I needed some coin cell batteries in a hurry once and bought a $1 laser pointer at the dollar store just for the batteries.

Reply to
miso

You do realize DVD and CD lasers are different frequencies. The CD is invisible (IR).

Oh wait, it's the Chieftain asshole. He doesn't know anything. Never mind.

Reply to
miso

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