I’m sure we’ve heard about lightsabers, the fictional laser sword made popular by the epic Star Wars films. Until now, lightsabers have been just that, fictional, but laser enthusiast Drake Anthony brought the imaginary weapon to life right at home.
Drake Anthony's DIY lightsaber acts as a powerful torch. (Image via Drake Anthony)
Anthony began DIY laser projects back in 2006 when he was just 12 years old. Now 19 and studying chemistry at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, he is sharing many tutorials and DIY projects that we can undertake at home.
His most recent project is a 3,000-mW blue laser that he calls a “lightsaber,” uses a 9-mm 450-nm laser diode and runs on two 18,650 Li-ion batteries.
“I usually try to refrain from using the term ‘lightsaber’ when referring to my lasers, but there really isn't much else out there to describe this laser,” Anthony explained on his YouTube channel.
Check out the video below, where Anthony uses the powerful lightsaber to burn right through a sheet of paper and set a whole bunch of items on fire. In one scene, he even uses the laser to make a solar toy car drive.
Anthony features some tutorials on his website so you can attempt some of his projects at home. For example, he offers tutorials for building a high-powered burning violet laser, modifying a green laser into a burning laser, and even making a smoke bomb. His YouTube channel features some step-by-step projects as well.
Happy torching!
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