[Show Ideas] - Home Built Laser Pointer?

[kevinsand]

I have been seeing a lot of D.I.Y. "Burning" lasers (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=DIY+Laser&search=Search) made from junked DVD Rom Drives on Youtube that can light matches, pop balloons, and cut black plastic! (i.e. Electrical Tape)

I have been looking into it and some of them aren't to hard to do if you know anything about electronics

I would bet that two guys like Mr. Norton & Mr. Randolph have most parts needed just laying around!

[wizmaster]

This is so illegal. Hell, regular pointers are basically illegal (in public, basically so cops don't "accidentally" shoot you).

[kevinsand]

What Country are you from? I have never heard of a laser pointer being illegal.
Hell I have a green laser pointer from Radio Shack that will pop a balloon. and no its not modified!

I Guess if you were being just plain STUPID with a laser it could get you into trouble with the law but I never though that they were "Illegal"

[wizmaster]

What Country are you from? I have never heard of a laser pointer being illegal.
Hell I have a green laser pointer from Radio Shack that will pop a balloon. and no its not modified!

I Guess if you were being just plain STUPID with a laser it could get you into trouble with the law but I never though that they were "Illegal"

Not so much "illegal" but frowned upon. So, essentially illegal depending on whether they feel like being assholes. I don't think it's a problem nowadays but a while back, stupid kids pointed them at cops who then assumed they were about to get shot. It's like the toy guns being made in bright colors with bright colored caps (without the "law"). I think the ho hum died down.

Whether it's an actual law or it was the cops taking ever more liberties, I don't know.

Depending on how much power (and how many you duct tape together) it could be illegal. Popping balloons is one thing but if your homemade laser is powerful enough, the law may consider it a weapon and pretty much all homemade weapons are illegal.

[kevinsand]

Guess I never felt it could be a weapon but people can be dumb from time to time and use it in such a manner

[scienceking]

In some local areas, laser pointers are illegal to use in public because they can be confused with the laser sight of a rifle.

[beamq]

the DIY of high power laser pointers is danger . Why not just buy it somewhere ?

[1_1_1]

the DIY of high power laser pointers is danger . Why not just buy it somewhere ?Large price diff (last time I checked anyway)(for cutting pointers)

[brakk]

I agree with OP. This would be a great topic.