Working Handheld Homemade Pulse Laser Weapon

Like, not a toy one. Like, will punch a hole in a piece of thin metal with one shot. Like, kids, don’t try this at home.

This quote from maker Patrick Priebe is via Alan Parekh’s Hacked Gadgets:

It holds a small pulse laser head, capable of generating aMW-pulse [sic] of coherent infra-red light. One shot can punch through a razorblade, plastic, 5mm styrofoam when focussed [sic]. Effective range on 3m (dark surfaces)…you will see a stinging flame and a 5mm stain will remain on target. The goal was, to create handheld device…AS COMPACT as possible. Its 320mm long and weights about 2 pounds.

Materials used: Plexi for the center-plate, and brass / aluminum for the casing. Each and every part, handmade…took about 70 hours of work.

The claim of penetrating a razor-blade impresses me, although I note the only metal penetration in the video is thin aluminum, which has been painted, possibly so that it will absorb more light energy. There’s also some cool shots capturing the pulse’s plasma ball in midair.

15 Responses to Working Handheld Homemade Pulse Laser Weapon

SomeWhiteGuy on March 11th, 2011 at 5:21 pm said:

So, you’ll let us know when an instructable is up?

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Anonymous on March 11th, 2011 at 5:28 pm said:

Taking bets on how long before there is prohibitive legislation specifically aimed at these.

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David Schmidt on March 11th, 2011 at 5:46 pm said:

oh yes, please make an instructable!

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- Trevor Nestor on July 21st, 2011 at 5:27 am said:
  
  (look below)
  
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- Trevor Nestor on July 21st, 2011 at 5:27 am said:
  
  (look below)
  
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- Trevor Nestor on July 21st, 2011 at 5:27 am said:
  
  (look below)
  
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D Traver Adolphus on March 11th, 2011 at 6:01 pm said:

Nifty, looks about as energetic as a small BB gun?

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Justin Wilczek on March 11th, 2011 at 8:50 pm said:

Why the horrible grip angle?

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Halfvast Conspirator on March 11th, 2011 at 9:04 pm said:

Can we boost the output at all? Set it to 11? Get it off STUN? I would want one with a bit, no a lot, more power. But a nice job all around.

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Anonymous on March 12th, 2011 at 12:14 am said:

It needs a sighting laser pointer, running parallel to the IR laser. One trigger to activate the red pointer while the capacitors spool up, then a second trigger to fire the IR pulse. This would be good for shooting womp rats killing roaches.

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Stephen Ritchie on May 14th, 2011 at 1:31 am said:

So any chance of seeing a price tag? or estimate value? because i must say id love to have my hands on one of these.

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Anonymous on May 14th, 2011 at 8:17 pm said:

Of course it’s highly regulated, as any dangerous device or weapon is. I actually heard that the Import of Lasers (and possibly sale, etc.) is regulated by – get this – the FDA! Argument is that advent of Laser usage commercially was for Medical Purposes and that’s how they acquired their foothold of control. Typical Government BS…

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Trevor Nestor on July 15th, 2011 at 5:43 am said:

Links to how to make one

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Trevor Nestor on July 15th, 2011 at 5:43 am said:

Links to how to make one

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gangsta on March 16th, 2012 at 6:31 pm said:

Yes, very cool, BUT HOW DO YOU MAKE IT?!?!

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