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Athoul
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 7544
Location: Canada
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 Posted: 4/15/06, 9:38 PM Post subject: FAQ |
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Chief117 took some time to write a FAQ that might help address some of the questions that seem to come up over and over again. I'll add more to it as I get the time as I think this can help many people out, especially when asking questions in the forum.
MY LASER STARTS BRIGHT, THEN DIMMS AND FLUCTUATES LIKE THIS FOR A FEW SECONDS.
All DPSS lasers have an initial spike of power, in some cases this is more visible then others however. This fluctuation which may look like dimming and flickering is completely normal as long as it lasts for only a few seconds or so. If it keeps flickering for an extended period of time, then you may have a stability problem.
MY LASER WON'T POP BALOONS.
If you are trying to pop balloons with your laser, and it wont do it, try marking a black spot on the side of the balloon with a sharpie or other black marker. Try using a darker colored balloon. Try blowing it up further. If it still doesnt work, drop a post about it in the help section. Keep in mind, you might not be able to pop balloons with the 15mW or 35mW wicked lasers.
MY LASER WONT CUT BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE.
If you are failing to cut black electrical tape with your laser, try putting some weight on it so that it streches. The ability to cut tape varies with the different types of tape, some being thicker, some being thinner. Keep in mind, the lowest power you can have if you are looking to cut tape is about 75mW, so anything below that is not defective if it wont cut tape.
MY LASER WONT LIGHT MATCHES.
This is a very difficult trick, the videos of it that you can see in the gallery usually have taken many trials before they were successful. You will need to use a match that is either red or coloured black, a sharpie or any permanent marker works great for this. Also, try aiming the laser at the crown of the match head, as this seems to help. To begin to even be able to light matches, you will need at least a 75mW model while a 95mW is suggested.
MY LASER LIGHTS MATCHES WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS, BUT THEN NO LONGER DOES SO.
You are using the peak output to light the match, this is the initial high rise in output that is characteristic of DPSS lasers. If your laser is not a model that is known to light matches, consider yourself lucky as not all initial peak outputs are the same(in duration or how powerful).
Also, lasers known to light matches may not be able to once the laser gets too warm or hot. However, once you let it cool down, it should once again be able to light them. This occurs because heat causes the pump diode and crystals to become less efficient then under normal room temperatures.
_________________
Cheers,
Sean.
Visit My Laser Gallery for images, video's, comparisons and more. http://www.pulsed.ca
Some videos I have submitted:
http://www.lasercommunity.com/movi_page.php?movis_id=78
http://www.lasercommunity.com/movi_page.php?movis_id=77
http://www.lasercommunity.com/movi_page.php?movis_id=76
http://www.lasercommunity.com/movi_page.php?movis_id=84
Last edited by Athoul on 7/04/06, 8:46 AM; edited 2 times in total |
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Rand
Fusion Laser
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 485
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| Posted: 6/16/06, 7:45 PM Post subject: |
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Hey Athoul..about the cutting of the tape.. You said that the 75mw is the lowest version that can..my 55mw can easily do it.. so if you want to change it..and delete my post..that would be fine. Just lettin ya know.
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Detrimental
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 2093
Picture(s): 3
Movie(s): 1
Location: Florida, USA
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| Posted: 6/16/06, 8:27 PM Post subject: |
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It may be that your 55 is operating around 75mW. I would imagine that Athoul has actually tested lasers outputting at the specific levels (with a power meter) to ensure that his FAQ is accurate (although as I said I am assuming). Just keep in mind that just because your laser is as 55 does not mean it cant be operating above the spec.
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http://www.altmank.com |
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Athoul
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 7544
Location: Canada
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Gadgeteer
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 30 Jan 2006
Posts: 2304
Location: North Texas
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| Posted: 6/18/06, 7:04 AM Post subject: |
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I forsee a rather inexpensive power meter in several folks future. Dial style meat thermometer is a no go for any kind of accuracy.
Digital thermometers may work and testing is in the works. I believe it's going to be a step back and using either thermistors or some reliable type of photodetector.
I decided on the dial style originaly since batteries would not be an issue. Serious lack of resolution there so save your cash and don't bother.
Eventually, I will make some more tests with the thermistor and photodetector sensors and will sure try to keep the group advised of the outcome.
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http://gadgeteer.home.pipeline.com/laser/laser.htm
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/gadgeteer_x1/albums |
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Rand
Fusion Laser
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 485
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| Posted: 6/18/06, 9:46 PM Post subject: |
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| Athoul wrote: |
| The problem is not all 55mW s will be able to cut tape. As mentioned yours might be operating a bit above 55mW. I've tested it with a laser that was operating at about 52mW. It was having trouble cutting the tape in half, though it "did" cut it eventually...it took a few minutes. I consider 2-3 passes at most as being able to cut the tape, or a fairly slow single pass that takes 60 seconds or less. If it takes longer then this, it's more of a chore rather than a neat "trick." |
Alright..i dont have a lasercheck so i wouldnt know.
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Athoul
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 7544
Location: Canada
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boticron
Elite Laser
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 231
Movie(s): 1
Location: ny usa
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| Posted: 11/13/06, 8:50 AM Post subject: |
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| how do lasers checks work? and are they available for moderate prices? |
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Stephanie
Fusion Laser
Joined: 25 Jul 2006
Posts: 369
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 11/13/06, 9:14 AM Post subject: |
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Generally, there are two kinds of laser power meter - ones that measure light and ones that measure resultant heat. Here are two pocket-sized examples:
The LaserCheck by Coherent uses a silicon photodetector and measures relative brightness. It is more sensitive to the IR wavelengths and less sensitive at the shorter wavelengths, but compensates for this uneven curve. You tell it what wavelength you are measuring, i.e. 532nm or 650nm and it compensates accordingly. The LaserCheck is good for up to 1000mW and is pocket sized and relatively inexpensive. The only drawback is the LaserCheck can't take accurate readings of lasers that emit on more than one wavelength, i.e. DPSS green lasers which, through lack of an IR filter, are also emitting lots of IR. The retail price of the LaserCheck is about $330.
The other kind of laser power meter measures the rate of heat absorbtion in a known mass. This kind of laser is not affected by wavelength or multiple wavelengths, as it is measuring the heat energy the laser causes in the target. The Synrad PowerWizard uses a block of black anodized aluminum as the target mass, and measures how fast the temperature of the mass increases to determine the power of the laser. The PowerWizard used to be available in a 10mW to 2000mW range but it's discontinued, now they only have one that measures 1 Watt to 250 Watts. The PowerWizard retails for about $500.
-Stephanie
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wedgekahr
Modified 10mW Greenie
Joined: 03 Jan 2007
Posts: 11
Location: Tejas
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| Posted: 1/03/07, 2:58 AM Post subject: |
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my brand-new 95mW nexus pops balloons only at extremely close range (even then it's only the over-inflated ones that have been sitting out for awhile) and it takes some effort to melt trash bags at point-blank range. is this something that will change over time? i'm about to send it off for repairs to the button, should i mention this at all?
thanks in advance  |
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roarg
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 08 Jan 2006
Posts: 1686
Picture(s): 23
Location: Vancouver, BC, CANADA....home of olympics 2010
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| Posted: 1/03/07, 5:57 AM Post subject: |
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im guessing its the all black model?
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Pulsar*- sold to: Laserhigh for $250
Fusion- the truth is out...broken by friend
*plus goggles, dragoncase, Wickedcaps set |
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wedgekahr
Modified 10mW Greenie
Joined: 03 Jan 2007
Posts: 11
Location: Tejas
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| Posted: 1/03/07, 11:43 AM Post subject: |
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| yes, the one with the gold tips and black body |
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chickenfish
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 22 Aug 2006
Posts: 1167
Picture(s): 52
Movie(s): 34
Location: UK
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Athoul
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 7544
Location: Canada
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cybermario
25mW Classic Wicked Laser
Joined: 26 May 2007
Posts: 31
Location: Wrocław
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| Posted: 6/04/07, 6:38 PM Post subject: |
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| which googles are better sport or laboratory type? why? |
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