Lens Side Red dot alignment options

[Tim Mellor]

Just off the 3D printer this afternoon and after I have just finished aligning the mirrors on my Laser without one. Lots of burnt smokey tape and targets close to nice clean mirrors was losing it's appeal by the end of the procedure. My Laser is to close to Mirror one and only has a glass end so it is not really practical to do something similar to Russ's devices.

So out with Fusion 360 and roll a prototype to take the place of the Lens Tube in my little Laser. Obviously very easy to raise the diameter for 18, 20 etc tubes. Designed to take one of the Laser dot modules available from evilbay or aliexpress with the adjustable front lens. With these generally the dot is only roughly inline with the barrel and even at a metre 25-50mm deviation is common.

So two rows of 2mm screws for lateral and radial alignment are needed. May not be obvious but each of the screws is running through a knurl nut to suit. The front lens on the pointer can still be adjusted down the barrel if needed when the barrel is locked in place.

The little adjustment stand just needs a minor adjustment but that is a tomorrow job as is setting the Laser in the barrel. General principal is set the Laser from a surface then rotate the Barrel until you get no movement of the dot by playing with the screws.

Thoughts welcome and when I am happy with it I will drop the STL files here and some links on where to source the bits for those interested.

[fred ungewitter]

I built a similar gadget many moons ago, using my 3D printer as well. With the "typical" presentation pointer, I was able to use an ordinary cylinder with an ID suitable that the pointer was pushed in, causing the on button to be depressed. A bit of wiggle room allowed for alignment adjustment.

The concept is sound and made it easier for me to locate a damaged mirror mount which would have otherwise gone undetected. It also had made it nearly impossible to properly adjust my mirrors until I corrected the mount.

Without the reverse-laser option, I'd have given up on the laser entirely!

You should note that the final mirror (or first mirror for forward alignment) at the laser tube will have to be adjusted in the "traditional" manner. You have to ensure that the laser strikes the same point on the first mirror outbound that the red dot hits inbound.

Your mount will make things substantially easier overall, based on my experience.