I think I have broken it....

[marcusfox]

Well, I was carrying my laser pointer in my pocket and I think some dirt or stuff must have gotten on the lens. When I turned on the beam on the wall, it was not at all a clear point and looked like a large diffuse fingerprint with a bright spot in the middle. I decided to try and gently clean it off with a q-tip through the hole where the beam comes out, but even using the slightest force I felt something budge inside the laser and now the beam comes out with a similar but different pattern, but it is now off centre and very blurred.

Before I damage it further trying to rectify this - what do I do? I can't see any way to open the laser pointer except to access the battery compartment. It looks to have a screw cap on the end where the beam comes out, but no amount of force can budge this. Thanks!

 

[Harold_B]

There's probably a thread locker on the ring. If that's the case then about the only methods I am aware of to break it free are heat or solvents. Either way you risk damaging the parts inside. If you use heat you can damage the diode or the optic if it is plastic; if you use a solvent you risk damaging the lens if it is plastic and if you use the wrong solvent. Acetone will breakdown most thread lockers but will damage a plastic lens. If the lens is glass then no problems. Acetone evaporates quickly. Get pure acetone, don't use fingernail polish remover because the perfumes in it will leave a film on your lens. If the lens is plastic you can use IPA but don't use rubbing alcohol for the same reason as not using fingernail polish remover. The issue with IPA is that if the adhesive that held the lens was a UV cure it will make a mess that will need to be cleaned up.

If you try heat start slow and low and heat sink the tube just beyond where you are try to warm the parts.

Before you do anything though you might post a couple photo's so that others can give more informed advice based on seeing your actual problem.

Good luck!

Harold