DIY laser pointer

[axle01]

Made myself a laser pointer, first I got a 200mw laser module, (way over the top), a 30 or 50 would of been cheaper and done the same job without lighting up the neighbour hood and leaving burn marks in the moon and planets.:lol:

I also got a heat sink, a on/off switch some wire and a 3'' dovetail.

I mounted the module in the heat sink and bolted the heat sink to the dovetail then mounted the on/off switch in the dovetail behind the heat sink and routed the wires under the dovetail to keep it tidy.

I then connected the other end of the wire to a 12v to 3.7v converter and installed a male cigarette lighter socket to the end so I can use my battery pack to light the laser.

I can inter change the laser when not in the city or air traffic space with a finder scope or a Telrad finder by just clamping it to the Vixen X-Y Guide mount.


http://i43.tinypic.com/2lbfb77.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2w5j1oo.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/rirytf.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/8xpurp.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2mrsgt0.jpg

[Starless]

Nice work.
Does it need some way to accuratly align it with the scope axis?

[bojan]

Good job !

Where did you find the dovetail?

[axle01]

Ring Steve
http://www.astroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-096I

[axle01]

That's what the Vixen X-Y Guide mount is for.
http://www.astroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-007D

I am making another mount (below) with a 2 way laser mount but not sure wether it will adjust as well as the Vixen.

http://i41.tinypic.com/16m1t0l.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/etgs5u.jpg

[bojan]

Thanks!
BTW, have a look at this: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=35298&highlight=laser+holder
I made it from Al 20mm channel, and mounted it with screws on OTA.. however, dovetail would be more versatile.

[ChrisM]

Hi Alan,

I have to agree that 200 mW is way over the top, and in fact is dangerous, because your eye can't blink fast enough to protect itself. With this power, even reflected light from something that inadvertently passes through the beam can be strong enough to cause eye damage. The way around this is to wear appropriate laser safety goggles, which sort of defeats the purpose for astronomy.

I have a much lower power laser attached to my scope, and installed a key switch in series with the on / off switch to reduce the risk of it being turned on inadvertently.

Chris

[axle01]

Chris After using the 200 i realise it's to much and I have a 30 on the way.