Do NOT DIY: 40W laser shotgun destroys everything in its path
While lasers might have gotten their start on the pages of sci-fi novels, they are now firmly planted in our everyday lives. We use lasers to align our machines, cut intricate patterns and shapes, and much more. But ultimately, we just want to see lasers used for their original purpose; blasting unsuspecting objects into oblivion. I can not stress this enough; do not try this at home.
According to Popular Mechanics: "Sure, the military is working on 30 kilowatt death lasers, but you don't have to have the defense budget of a nation in order to get in on the laser gun fun. Youtuber styropyro build an insane 40W laser shotgun by himself in his garage, and the result is both stupidly dangerous and stupidly awesome.
Powered by a giant lithium-poylmer battery, this DIY laser shotgun has an array of eight 5W blue lasers that fire in parralel through a focusing lens. The result is a laser cannon that can pop balloons, set paper on fire, blow up a ping pong ball, and totally blind you if it gets in your eyes."
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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