DIY lasers was Re: High press. or Laser

Tom,

Yes, you can build a serviceable 25-50Watt co2 laser at home. Plans
for the LC05 are available from a company with a name something
like "amazing! or innovative products (which can be found in the ADS
section of ANY current USA hobby electronics magazine.) They sell
plans and kits for a variety of lasers, including yag and ruby. I've
only seen the co2 plans and they are for real. Most people on this
list, I feel could have some success with this. However,...

A sealed tube co2 from synrad will be a better choice, IMO. Pay
the "one time" price(tubes will eventually need re-filling, but the
time with these is measured in years of usage) and use it to make
things and money. The savings in "futzing around" is significant when
compared to the home made co2 lasers setups I have seen and read
about.

Optics for co2 are more available than in the past, and you can get a
focusing set for under 300 bucks. RA mirror included.

An "in between" choice is to use a tube from an older medical laser.
Power supply is also sometimes available. Again, check the mags and
surplus ads...

Yes, big caps can be made. There is one in one of my phase converters
in the shop. But, nowadays, I wouldn't. We live in an amazing time;
where things such as this are more available, and better priced than
at any other time in history.

Finally, cost could run from 250 bucks to over 3k.

Hope this helps.

Ballendo

> Can people really put together laser systems in their home shops?
>
> I have heard that the power supply needs are really challenging.

Large

> capacitors etc. Can big capacitors be homemade if the physical

size of the

> system is not an important factor?
>
> How much do you think would it cost to be able to do engraving in

wood, or

> build a 50 or 100 watt system like the one you saw, Jon?