Wicked Laser Case

New pictures added and a new video added.
The video shows how the case is water proof. I was so confident with my case that I put my $150 laser in it.

This instructable will tell you how to easily make a heavy duty laser case and a regular laser case.
It is meant to replace the bulky laser cases that often come with the laser. Tthis case will prevent the laser from getting scratched up and the lens from getting full of dust and dirt. It can also protect it against drops, water, and even having it ran over by a car.

First you will need to decide if you want to have a heavy duty case, which will be bigger yet stronger, or a regular case, which will be smaller but not very strong.

For the heavy duty case you will need the following:
- Laser point. WickedLasers.com sell some awesome high powered lasers.
-6" long 1/2" I.D. (inside diameter) PVC Nipple.
-(2) end caps that fit snug on the end of the pipe.
-Styrofoam packaging from anything.
-A knife, or razor blade.
-plastic glue (optional)
-plastic paint(optional)
-Teflon tape(optional)
In the picture you can see the threaded end caps I used, and the tube that I used.
IMPORTANT The inside diameter of the pipe might be different for different lasers, so check your laser diameter before you buy the material

When choosing the end caps, if you decide to use threaded end caps like I did, then you don't have to worry about how tight they fit onto the tube/pipe, but If you aren't using threaded end caps then you will need to make sure that have least one of the end caps can come off easily, but not too easy.

How to choose which end cap you want:
Threaded end caps:
- Heavy duty
- Make the laser case bigger.
-The removable end cap won't slip off on accident.
- The laser case is water proof.
-Overall design looks better.

Non-threaded end caps:
-Not as heavy duty
-Laser case is smaller.
-Removable end cap can slip off on accident.
-Laser case is most likely not waterproof.
-Overall design looks plain.

I was unable to build the regular case but I can tell you all the materials that you will need.
You will need the following:
- Laser point. WickedLasers.com sell some awesome high powered lasers.
-6" long 1/2" I.D. rigid acrylic tubing. This can probably be found at your local hardware store or online. This site sells the tubing that would work. http://www.busada.com/cat2.htm.
Model Number: GT0625062072
-(2) end caps that fit snug over the tube, for this you can also use PVC end caps, but I would suggest using plastic or rubber end caps that you would put on the end of a metal tube.
-plastic glue (optional)
-plastic paint (optional)
IMPORTANT The inside diameter of the tube might be different for different lasers, so check your laser diameter before you buy the material

once you have all your parts you can start to assemble your laser case.

The following steps are the same for both the heavy duty laser case and the regular laser case.

If you have threaded end caps use the following steps:
1. On one end of the pipe put Teflon tape around the threads in a clockwise direction. This only has to be done if you want yo make your case waterproof.
2. Firmly tighten one end cap onto the Teflon tape side of the pipe.
3. If you didn't use Teflon tape then it doesn't matter which end of the pipe you screw the end cap onto. If you want you can also apply a small amount of plastic glue to the threads to keep the end cap from coming off.
4. Make sure your laser fits inside the pipe and doesn't stick out the open end.
5. Screw on the second end cap, but not too tight

If you don't have threaded end caps, use the following steps:
1. Apply glue on the end of the pipe and firmly push on the end cap.
2. Make sure your laser fits inside the pipe and doesn't stick out the open end.
3. Press on the second end cap, and make sure that this end cap can easily be removed.

The Styrofoam will be used to pad the end caps so the laser doesn't hit hard against the end caps.

1. You will need to get a Styrofoam piece and make sure it is bug enough to fit into the end cap. It is OK if it is too big.
2. Press the end of the pipe firmly against the styrofoam so it makes an indentation. Look at the image below for more help.
3. cut around a square out around the circle. (image 2)
4. Cut off the corners of the square, so it becomes an octagon.
5. Cut the enough styrofoam off the bottom so the main piece only fills about half of the end cap.
6. Firmly push the styrofoam into each end cap. (image 3)
7. repeat steps 1-6 for the second end cap.

This whole step is optional.

Once all the glue is dried and you are done assembling your laser case you can paint it and make it look good.
You will want to remove the price tags that come on the pipes and end caps, and make sure you get all the sticky residue off since that will prevent the paint from sticking properly.

Once I have time I would like to paint my laser case all black, and then have it look like a laser dot is being shown on the top of the end cap, and have 4 large laser "rays" going down the side.
I provided a very rough drawing i made in paint of what I'm looking to do. I wish i knew photoshop, but this is the best I can do now. I hope I can soon get a real picture up.

To buy some awesome laser pointers at the following site: Laser Pointer

To find out more info on these awesome lasers check this forum: Laser Forum

Posted by Laser Community member: SWargy

Here you can see the finished product minus the paint.

My cat decided to jump up on the stool while I was taking pictures so I included my curious cat.