The "Laser"

[timmeh87]

Welding glass comes in different tints, that block more or less of the light.

But that laser was like 15w/cm^2. I feel like that would go right through welding glass. And if it was absorbed by the glass then it might start to melt or crack. That kind of intensity makes things catch fire.

[bassmasta]

What are these lasers even used for? Possibly the types mounted on Boeing planes that serve as air to air missile defense? But then I suppose the reflection off of the missile could blind someone on the ground.

[timmeh87]

The boeing kind are giant chemical lasers. Thats a semiconductor laser from a projector.

[Life of Brian]

Yes, welding helmets block UV.

And yes, this laser is super duper powerful - doesn't that make you want to see what you can cut and burn with it?

[palmertech]

I am actually really, really worried. I have 6 lasers in various colors, ranging from 30mw to 380mw, and safety goggles to match each wavelength, so I know what I am doing... But this thing really scares me. I will probably end up getting one, but this thing needs to be treated with even more care than a loaded gun. What is really scary is that normal people can actually afford this, and they WILL be stupid with it. You might not cause blindness, but just using this thing indoors basically guarantees cumulative eye damage over time. Just looking at the dot on a matte black surface with less than 10% reflection will leave a permanent spot in your vision.

Not to mention that the entire hobbyist market for high powered lasers just got demolished. This is the same to the laser scene as a $60 N64p or an $80 GCp would be to ours.

Welding goggles would be useless. Lasers are mono frequency, they put out light in a very tight wavelength. Unless the goggles are engineered to specifically block that wavelength, they will do little to nothing.

[Basement_Modder]

There will be lawsuits. I guarantee it.

[humakabula1]

hey, hey!
guess who just picked one up!
i can do the balloon through a welding visor test when it gets here

[Triton]

The boeing kind are giant chemical lasers. Thats a semiconductor laser from a projector.

Pretty sure the boeing system is a Free Electron Laser actually.

[blaze3927]

This is actually very very scary,

[humakabula1]

hey blaze
i will aim it towards Canberra and you tell me if you can see it!

Obviously i'm joking

[SonyPortableizer]

dude dont buy it, only bad can come of it

[timmeh87]

The boeing kind are giant chemical lasers. Thats a semiconductor laser from a projector.

Pretty sure the boeing system is a Free Electron Laser actually.

The original model they tested was a dye laser IIRC. wiki says they completed the initial FEL design... three weeks ago.
Further wiking says that the YAL-1 Airborne Laser Testbed used a "chemical oxygen iodine laser"

I think the problem with a FEL is how do you power it if its on a plane?

[humakabula1]

this thing is fricken awesome!!!

I did something like this to my wall in around 2 seconds

Don't worry guys, I read the instruction manual!

[Triton]

i hope for your sake and the sake of those around you that you put that thing away and dont mess with it. i can see the headlines now...

[humakabula1]

never!
jokes
but on a more serious note i tested the welding helmet with the balloon = POP!
the goggles that came with it = no POP
i got an extra pair of goggles to do some tests with and the goggles melted before the balloon popped.