Lasers have been used for many applications; be it the technology upgrade of many electronic devices, industrial sector or unmanned space programs and research. Lasers are deemed to be dangerous toy to play with, but this doesn’t deter DIY’ers from exploring the possibilities lasers provide for electronic projects. By the way lasers should be handled with utmost precautions, as mishandling can burn you very badly. So let’s take a ride down the laser alley for some of the cool laser driven projects that rocked the charts.
#1 World’s first BIC style laser
If smoking wasn’t already dangerous enough, making a Lighter Laser Burner surely diminishes your chances of survival! No that’s not true, I’m just kidding. This BIC-style laser lighter is made from a blue laser diode, mini-driver circuit, cell batteries and magnets.
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#2 Laser Security System
Take a few transistors, capacitors, mirrors, a bunch of HandiTak and one laser; this is all you need to build a DIY laser Security System. Now no unwanted trespassers will escape unharmed when they trip over this security measure.
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#3 Laser Spy Microphone
As opposed to the Laser Security System DIY, the Laser Spy Microphone can be used to infringe on private conversations. Mind you this Laser Spy Microphone DIY project can home-in on conversations over long distances.
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#4 Hardcore laser engraving and cutting
This DIY project is the daddy of all the laser projects, as far as the danger element is considered. Put anything lean in front of this laser and it will burn them up in hell. The project can be used for engraving on a hard surface like metal.
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#5 High power laser build with thermoelectric cooling
Making projects which are applications of laser in one way or the other is good, but making a laser itself is even better. This high power laser which is cooled using Peltier plates with smoke effect is super cool. Other things used to make this laser are Meredith glass lens, FlexDrives, twin LiPo’s, fan, heatsink and box. The project is a spectacle in itself, when it is finally made.
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#6 RGB White Dye Laser Light project
To make three dyes to oscillate in a single cuvette is no mean feat. This laser project made by Jon Singer does exactly that, and the dye is pumped using a flash-lamp.
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#7 Laser engraving iPod/iPhone with CO2
If you like your things customized with your own impressions, then this project is perfect for you. Etch you iPod/iPhone with a design file (made on your PC) and then get the exact graphic on your Apple device. the CO2 laser vaporizes the color so the result is permanent and crisp.
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#8 Laser Tunnel Glove DIY
[Chimera14] has posted this project over at the instructables that projects laser in two modes. The two modes (tunnel or dot) can be toggled by simply clutching the fist. This reminds of those science-fiction movies, where weapons have some cool lasers over-board.
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#9 Burning laser made from DIY flashlight
Build out of a high output laser diode (taken out from a DVD player) and a flashlight, the laser can light up candles, match a fire, pop balloons, and much more. It depends on you how you use this laser DIY for various other purposes.
