The object of this hack is to remove the laser diode from a DVD burner and transfer it into the casing and driver of a hand held laser pointer. If you attempt this yourself. BE WARNED ... this laser diode is very dangerous and protective eyeware should be warn while working with it.

I will be stripping the laser that is used to burn DVD's from inside the DVD drive. I will transfer the laser to a hand held driver and casing that will be waterproofed. The end result is a device that can start fires in wet weather situations such as camping or hiking. Why? .... Aah ... Aah ... boredom.

PARTS NEEDED:

Just a set of fairly small screw drivers, a pair of pliers (pryers), some patience and a few loose screws. This log is not yet finished and so i have not fully documented it.

WARNING !! -------> error id 10t

Should you accidentally shine the laser into your eyes you will burn your retina instantly and be blind. I waiver all responsibility for any dumb ass acts you may conceive using a device such as this. The goal is to produce a hand held laser pointer that is capable of starting a fire while camping. While matches would do the trick just as well ... this method is way cooler and potentially water proof.

The first thing to do is find an old DVD burner that nobody wants. On the inside of the casing is a complex network of electronics working in sync to drive a laser. The laser physically burns the data onto the disk while it is spinning.

Once the casing has been opened you can see a pair of tracks that guide the laser along the axis of the compact disk or DVD. Grab a pair of pliers and use them to liberate the tracks from the casing. The only mechanism required is the unit that sits in between the two tracks. Laser Center Unit Once you have it removed you can rip the ribbon out and start on removing the diode in the center.

This particular model of burner has a lens on top that looks alot like the laser diode but upon dismantling it contains only a small lens. THe diode you are after sits in the side of the unit and you can find it by following the reflective lenses inside that redirect the laser beam onto the disk. Once you have this piece located you can undo a few screws and use a pair of wire cutters to bust it out of its home. The end result is one tiny laser diode which i will now attempt to transfer into the laser pointer housing. Laser dummy diode Laser Diode.

Not yet completed ....