HOW TO AMP UP YOUR LASER POINTER

Your laser pointer could be doing so much more than highlighting PowerPoint slides and messing with your cat’s mind.  It could be sculpting ice, sparking campfires, or searing slogans on your leather jacket.  From the January issue of Wired magazine, here is how to give a standard laser pointer a power upgrade.

1.  Disassemble the unit by removing the batteries, opening the housing, and taking out the laser module.

2.  Search the circuit board for a variable resistor.  Resembling a tiny Phillips-head screw, it’s the key to boosting the current.

3.  To intensify the beam, use a small screwdriver to gently tighten the resistor.  Just don’t tighten it all the way or your cheapo laser pointer will burn out instantly.

4.  Reassemble and aim your newly potent pointer at safe targets like ice, wood, or plastic.  (Please, no people, animals or airplanes!)

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February 5th, 2010 | Tags: Laser pointers | Category: Daily Blog