How to Build a Laser Pointer

Last Updated: June 4, 2020 References

A laser pointer is a small handheld device, which emits a narrow and coherent beam of light. A homemade laser pointer is cheap, and easy to make. This quick guide will teach you how to make a laser pointer at home.

Steps

1
Gather your materials. Most of the materials mentioned in the things you'll need section can be procured at online shopping sites or hardware retail shops. Some, such as the laser diode, can be found in other electronic devices such as a disk burner.
2
Keep the law in mind. Many countries have laws governing the use and power of laser pointers. You can even be prosecuted for having a laser pointer which exceeds the permissible power limit. Be sure to keep the law in mind and tone down your laser pointer as and when necessary.^{[1]
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3
Drill the holes. You will need to drill two holes in the casing. Drill one on the top of the casing. This will be the switch. Drill another hole on the side of the casing for the laser.^{[2]
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4
Insert the laser diode into the casing. Some casings come with laser diodes built in. If your casing comes with a built in laser diode, check whether it is powerful enough for your needs. If it isn't, gently remove the laser diode and replace it with a new one.
5
Add a power source to your laser. Any battery pack will do, as long as it is powerful enough.
6
Attach the power source to the laser diode. You can solder pins on the laser diode to make the attachment easier.^{[3]
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7
Put on the finishing touches. Add a switch, and solder all the components to the casing.
8
Test your laser pointer. Check whether it works. If it doesn't , you may need to replace the power source or check whether all the components are attached correctly.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

Question

How can I increase the power of the pointer to 1 watt?

Community Answer

Get a new (more powerful, more expensive) laser diode. They can be purchased on eBay and various Chinese sites (Banggoood, LightInTheBox, etc.).
Question

Is a laser pointer harmless if I touch the beam?

Community Answer

It depends on the power of the laser, laser pointers like the one you will find in pens are mostly harmless unless you shine them in someone's eyes. Though burning lasers will burn you hand but a laser pointer is not that kind of laser.
Question

What is an ideal battery when building a laser pointer?

Community Answer

The ideal battery should be reliable, rugged (doesn't break when you drop the thing), rechargeable (so you can keep using the pointer), capable of storing tons of power and match the voltage and amperage requirements of the diode.

Warnings

Never exceed the permissible limit by law for the power of the laser.

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Never point your laser pointer directly at someone's eyes. This can result in permanent damage to vision.^{[5]
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