Collimating a laser collimator

[Starkler]

Saw this gem of a how-to (http://home.earthlink.net/~celstark/id14.html) today.

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest.
I would not even consider using a laser to collimate a newt without doing this first.

[Mick]

Top stuff Thanks.

[gaa_ian]

I love it too ... so much that I will collimate my Laser & scope this weekend :work:
Might as well, there is a cyclone breing in the Gulf of Carpenteria, so there will be no viewing for the weekend :rain:

[janoskiss]

Word of WARNING.

I've been through the laser collimator collimation procedure, and the laser stopped working. It's easy to put too much pressure on the housing of the laser itself, which is just a keychain laser pointer. I don't know what's wrong with it. If I take it out, take the batteries out, tap it on the table, put batteries back in I can get it working sometimes. But when I try it in the collimator again, it eventually stops working again.

I ended up picking up another laser for $1.50 from one of the local junk shops. I managed to fit that in the housing and collimate it without breaking anything.

[ballaratdragons]

<font face=”times new roman” size=”3”><i><b> Thanks Janos, </b></i></font>:cool2:

<font face=”times new roman” size=”3”><i> You have just given me the idea of making my own laser collimator. </i></font>

<font face=”times new roman” size=”3”><i> Shouldn't be too hard at all. </i></font>

[janoskiss]

Been there done that too. Just couldn't get good enough quality 1+1/4" tubing. Even if you do it's pretty fiddly. And you still don't get return beam. (unless you're gifted of course)

[ballaratdragons]

<font face="Times New Roman" size="3" color="indigo"><i><b>I'll give it a go for the fun of it. If it doesn't work at least I won't be wasting too much money and I like to fiddle around making things.

I am currently building another Quickfinder. This time for the 12" dob. (yep, found more PVC tube in the shed!)</b></i></font>

[janoskiss]

Good luck Ken. Let us know how it goes.

[Roger Davis]

Yep, so if you have a refractor handy with a 1.25" focuser, put the laser collimator into it and point it a wall about 6-10 meters away. If you place a targe on the wall, like a huge crosshair (make one on your computer) A4 sheet size is fine. Switch on your laser and see if the line (yes LINE, a laser pointer is not a dot!) rotates when you rotate the laser in the focuser. Adjust the screws on the laser to minimise the eccentric rotation. There you go, you've now collimated your laser collimator.