Building my CO2 Laser

This forum really needs a hobby section.

I want to build a CO2 laser. I have seen many plans on the internet for them, and they seem to be well within my techinical ability and price range. I am thinking in the neighborhood of 100 or 200 watts. Enough power to cut metal or vaporize other materials.

I used to want to build a rail gun, but it seems like too much of a pain in the rear end. And the power you get out of it is negligible unless you have really expensive equipment.

Laser tubes are so easy to make, and so cheap, that I thought it might be fun.

Imagine the fun of burning holes in stuff with an IR beam.

Anyone here ever do this, or have any suggestions?

Arkaleus

Originally posted by Arkaleus
Imagine the fun of burning holes in stuff with an IR beam.

Then imagine burning your finger right off, WHAT FUN!!!

(if I recall the beams are invisible)

at 100 W you will get a nasty, deep burn. If you continue to hold your finger in the path of the beam, it will burn right through it.

Lasers are great fun. I plan to hook mine up to a fiber channel and get a wand like the surgeons use. Then I can blast flies right off the wall. Or cut stuff usefully.

I just need a cool hobby.

Ark

i say take up warhammer 40k. its a good time

Ya, I play that too. I'm Arkaleus there too. Look for the guy starting up philosophical conversations. I'm the guy with the all devils chasing after me.

Arkaleus