Desktop Helium Neon Laser Lamp Build
Here’s another fantastic tutorial from Jay, a DIY lasers expert. See all of our DIY laser projects. I’d like to show off my new desk top laser lamp! It’s a fairly simple project and makes for a nice display piece. Basically, this is a 10 inch tube with a gorgeous laser inside.
I bought some basic materials and a project box from Radio Shack. The acrylic is from Tap Plastic. Total price (less than $100 dollars), was actually pretty cheap considering the laser is included in the overall cost.
I added some solid rods in the front just to add stability to the mount. The acrylic material with the flame polished edges is great for shining a blu-ray laser into. Hope you enjoyed this project!
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June 11th, 2009
Great project. Question, where did you get those two black end mounts for the laser tube? Thanks man.
June 26th, 2009
Thanks!
They came with the tube. I picked it up used from a guy on LPF, and he had the mounting clips with it…
Jay
July 4th, 2009
what parts did you use? i love it, this is awesome
July 5th, 2009
The tube came with the driver and power supply. So all I did was find a nice way to mount it using a cheap project box from RS, and some plastic from Tap Plastic…
Jay
July 8th, 2009
…this isn’t really a tutorial though. Just “I bought some stuff” and “look, pics”…you bought all of that from rat shack? i haven’t seen anything like most of that (the plastic bits sure, but none of the rest of it).
July 8th, 2009
The HeNe lasers are really pretty basic. They come with a high voltage driver, the laser tube, some contact points for mounting the tube, and a AC/DC power supply for the driver.
All I did was find a cheap (but cool) way of mounting the tube! I got the acrylic pieces at Tap Plastic, but the project box and switch at Radio Shack…
Jay
August 19th, 2009
Love the project and want to build one. Where did you get the laser? Pardon my ignorance, I don’t know what LPF stands for. Thanks.
August 19th, 2009
Oh… sorry, laserpointerforums.com
I got the HeNe laser from a member who was selling it. You can check the BST section there. Or Google HeNe laser tubes…
Jay
October 16th, 2009
Jay, thanks again for this post. I managed to make one myself. For those curious on where I got the parts it contains a parts list.
http://www.sapethemape.com/2009/06/my-homebuilt-hene-laser-lamp/
Cheers.
April 14th, 2010
Very Cool!
I have two questions:
1) Do you have to use a HeNe laser?
2) If so, do you have to use both mounting brackets?
April 14th, 2010
Nope, you don’t have to use a He-Ne laser. You can use any type you’d like.