Q&A for How to Build a High Powered Laser

The laser becomes very hot, and with electronics, heat is bad. With too much heat, components wear out or fail completely.

This is a 100mw laser diode, so it could light a match, burn the surface of wood, and possibly cut electrical tape.

It works by using a driver to regulate the power coming from the laser, and from there the power flows into the diode, lighting it up and producing a lot of light, which can be focused into a single point. The heat sink is to make sure that the diode does not overheat, but you still should not run it for a long time, because it still heats up.

It is not really a modification, but yes you can. The first thing you need to do is adjust the driver to your desired current. After that, you should connect the driver to the diode, and last but not least, put the driver and diode in a module and hook it up to a power source. Make sure you use eye protection.

It can burn the surface of wood if it is focused, but it will not burn through it.