Noob question on scanners.

[TechJunkie]

i don't think a height adjust will be needed, but once i get the diodes running and the dichros glued, i will make that determination. there's no problem going with L-brackets if i have to.

Can you use the same diode mounts to mount the dicros too? They would be at the same height, and the beam should be centered.

[swamidog]

no. you really need to be able to twiddle the angle adjustments on the dichros. however, dichro height adjustments were not necessary.

di-circle.jpg

Can you use the same diode mounts to mount the dicros too? They would be at the same height, and the beam should be centered.

[TechJunkie]

So were can you find cheap adjustable mounts, or is there a DIY version I can make?

[swamidog]

i strongly recommend mm1 (like i used) or mm1 clones. you can find them used on ebay or new at onestoplasershop.com.

http://www.onestoplasershop.com/hardware.htm

So were can you find cheap adjustable mounts, or is there a DIY version I can make?

[TechJunkie]

Thank you sir.

Is there anything cheap about this hobby?

I thought lasers in general where an expensive hobby, but even a simple analog DIY projector, out of used parts, trumps my whole laser collection combined. Now I know why people buy cheap Chinese projectors. I can buy one of those for less than half what a crappy DIY projector would take to build. I might as well just buy one of those RGB box lasers, and shoot it at some 20k scanners.

EDIT: Sorry, ranting a little. This stuff isnt really high tech, I dont understand the price level on some stuff.

[norty303]

So were can you find cheap adjustable mounts,

You should've got your Goldenstar price list from Winni by now, if you contacted her when advised.
There's '3D' 3 axis MM1 copies and flexmounts listed there for good prices.

P.S. Just like the Personal COmputer market, for the 'stock' stuff it is now no longer as cost effective to build your own.
My next projects will start with a very reasonable 'bare bones' off the shelf system, and modified as necessary from there. Its cheaper to buy the components already built into a product than it is the loose components these days. You just have to take it apart first before you can build it

[Galvonaut]

Is there anything cheap about this hobby?

Not really!

I thought lasers in general where an expensive hobby, but even a simple analog DIY projector, out of used parts, trumps my whole laser collection combined. Now I know why people buy cheap Chinese projectors. I can buy one of those for less than half what a crappy DIY projector would take to build. I might as well just buy one of those RGB box lasers, and shoot it at some 20k scanners.

If you want beams, sure. Otherwise you might find you have difficulty sourcing what you want. Just remember that you get less than what you pay for most of the time. Investing the time and less money than buying an equivalent build, in your own build is well worth it. What you learn along the way is invaluable.

EDIT: Sorry, ranting a little. This stuff isnt really high tech, I dont understand the price level on some stuff.

It isn't high tech but it is precision! Optics mounts have tight tolerances (or at least should have). You are paying for the care that is taken by an engineer to actually give a damn about their work.

Keith

[planters]

It isn't high tech but it is precision!

This is absolutely correct. Think about a large refactor telescope from 1900. This is not at all high tech, but the best ones are still about the best telescopes you can buy.

I can buy one of those for less than half what a crappy DIY projector would take to build.

You might be right, but I'm not so sure. The advantage of the commercial projector is that they have sourced all those niggly bits like a dichro elevation bracket. Where the DIY shines is the care you invest in focusing, aligning and balancing the power of the lasers. This "can" give outstanding results.

[TechJunkie]

You should've got your Goldenstar price list from Winni by now, if you contacted her when advised.
There's '3D' 3 axis MM1 copies and flexmounts listed there for good prices.

Yes, I did receive the price list. I only checked out the galvos. Unfortunately I dont have enough free uses on my Office program to keep looking at it. I tried to covert it to a PDF, or simular viewing file but failed. I'll look on the web and see if I can find a free viewer somewhere.

Where the DIY shines is the care you invest in focusing, aligning and balancing the power of the lasers. This "can" give outstanding results.

I agree completely. My only issue is financing. I'm on a fixed income, so if I want to create anything decent in a timely matter I'm going to have to sell off some other stuff, which I dont like doing.

Believe me when I tell you my passion for photons are as deep as everyone's here. I just have to weigh out priorities at the moment. I live month to month. Right now its Christmas time, next month there are numerous birthdays, including my girlfriends, then Valentines day, then my 15th anniversary the month after. I'm starting to think this is never going to happen.

[norty303]

OpenOffice is free and should open it