Does anyone know of a set of plans for building a laser?
What do you mean?
Do a quick google for diy co2 laser.
I think if you have to ask that question, you probably shouldn’t be building a laser.
@Tim_Rastall I agree but occasionally people have poor English and mean to ask for schematics.
@Camerin_hahn yeah I know. I have a terrible affliction where I’m compelled to make smart ass comments I’m afraid.
@Tim_Rastall you have no idea, I had typed that… then I was like nah we will see if he deserves it.
Give the guy a break! Perhaps he was asking “Is it feasible to build a laser?” “Are there good designs out there?”
Anyway, the LaserSaur gets good reviews, but it’s kindof high end. If you want something small and cheap, you can buy a chinese engraver, and upgrade the electronics, etc.
Http://buildlog.net have a really good set of plans and lots of support on their forums.
@Jeremiah_Ross1 given the high cost, you may want to try to find a hackerspace or a ‘new friend’ that owns one first so you can get a test drive. I had looked into these a few years ago and there has been huge growth since then, but the price is still way to high for me to consider 
Also, please invest in the proper wavelength laser safety glasses, those suckers are not eye safe
What does build a laser mean. As in pen/ pointer, cutter, sight or level. How can you answer half a question.
@John_Ridley I was being facetious. For the lulz as the kids say
For those of you who sincerely care about helping others even If the way they ask isn’t politically correct … Thank u your comments and concerns are much appreciated an very helpful and Eric Moy I’d like to give a special thanks to you you have been very polite and helpful on every one of my posts and I can tell ur pretty sharp with this stuff … A beginner like myself could defiantly use someone like urself to help get the ball rollin and I’m very thankful for ur help… Now as for the rest of u who think its fun and exciting to make smart ass comments and ask stupid questions … For example … Nigel dickenson … C’mon a lil common sense can really take u a long way obviously I’m prolly referring to a lil laser head u swap out w ur printer head on a 3d printer which allows u to cut parts out of different material rather than building them up using molten plastic… I mean I kno I’m not in a rocket science community but I figured the fact that I am in a 3d printer community would clarify … Guess I’m just an idiot go thinkin such a foolish thought… And for all of u smart ass / dumb asses if ur gunna be an ignorant prick I’m alright w that but at least put something useful or helpful In ur post … Anyway enough said about that … Thanks to those of u who care and understand that at some point we were all green ur advice is very helpful … O and to all smart asses I kno I dnt punctuate and I abbreviate my words thanks to texting…so what? Bite me… And to the rest of u I’m sry I kno it can kind of be difficult to read and I appreciate u trying to understand
@Jeremiah_Ross1 I would be willing to help, but if you cannot follow the essential safety procedures my help would be discouraging you.
Second, you catch more flies with honey, your comment will turn off potential persons whom honestly want to help you.
Third. Building a laser is incredibly vague. What materials do you want to start with (IE are you starting raw materials or are you starting with manufactured diodes/tubes/other components)? What power level is needed(a pointer is very different from a cutter)? what do you want to do with the laser? What is your budget? Do you have the protective equipment required? What do you have for electronics test equipment? Can you solder? And the list goes on and on.
Building a laser is not trivial.
@Jeremiah_Ross1 my point is tell us what you need. Its like saying I need a vehicle. So many answers but till you give details any answer is right. And learn to + a name you might spell it right.
So you want to cut stuff.
Materials and thickness.
Also you do realise to do it properly you need to build a machine to cut first print second.
@Jeremiah_Ross1 seriously dude, it clearly wasn’t obvious what you were asking for as everyone thought you were asking about standalone laser cutters. People on this group are generally really helpful but you need to respect that they are making time to answer your question, so the least you can do is make your question clear so folk don’t waste their time because they misunderstood you. If my comment hurt your feelings then I apologise.
Ok I haven’t been on in a couple days but the response I got back from u guys was not what I was anticipating which tells me ur not as bad as I thought so I owe u an apology I prolly over reacted but it had been a long day and ur comments rubbed me wrong but I do appreciate ur response because I am new to all of this and dnt fully understand it but I am also very intrigued by it… I consider myself very mechanically inclined but I’m not good at all w electronics but in anything I do I take all necessary precautions so no worries or need to discourage… Anyway not much else to say right now I just wanted to apologize for my reaction to ur comments