One of my goals this week was to figure something out for a laser pointer for my boring bar, which I haven't used yet. My brother, who did most(all)of the fabrication on it keeps asking me when I'm going to use it. So, I'm one step closer. To be honest, when the week started I didn't know exactly how I was going to do it. This is what I came up with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post is 3/4" black iron pipe and the pointer arm 1/2" iron pipe. The block is glued up from 5 pieces of baltic birch 3/4" plywood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first block I made was smaller and I used big box plywood. When I tried to clamp down on the laser bar the plys separated and then it was ruined. I had always planned to do the "good one" out of baltic birch so it was no big deal. With this one I reinforced the plys with a couple 1/4" through bolts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The holder for the laser diode is a 1/2" compression by 1/2" iron pipe thread on the other end. I split the ferrule and it tightens up nicely on the diode. I got the idea from the collet handles that  I make. I have a battery holder on the way and as soon as it arrives I'll be good to go, I think.

 

The real test will come when I try hollowing. Vibration can make a pointer move off location so I'm anxious to see how this one works out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

Cool!

 

What voltage is required for the laser?

Nice!

7 minutes ago, lew said:

Cool!

 

What voltage is required for the laser?

 

Lew, it's supposed to be 3-6 volts. It's the same diode I linked to in a reply to Gerald yesterday. This isn't the actual diode I'll use in the pointer as it produces a line in lieu of a dot. I have a couple of those ordered as well.  The only real difference between the two diodes is the lens.

 

Steve

 

 

Looks good and should work, keep us posted

Looks heavy duty Steve.  I have seen others that I thought were too flimsy.  I like it.

Looks good, gonna be a lot of weight. My concern with the weight is that if it vibrates the weight would intensity that. Look forward to the test.