YouTuber Builds 250-Watt Handheld Laser, 50,000 Times Stronger Than Pointers

A YouTuber and chemist has built what he claims is the world’s most powerful handheld laser, boasting 250 watts of power—roughly 50,000 times stronger than a standard laser pointer.

Credit: styropyro

Drake Anthony, known online as Styropyro, showcased the device in a recent video, demonstrating its ability to burn through various materials and even leave marks on diamonds.

Typical handheld laser pointers emit just 0.005 watts. In contrast, Anthony’s creation far exceeds the 5-milliwatt legal limit for handheld lasers in the United States, placing it closer in power to industrial cutting tools.

Anthony constructed the laser using second-hand components sourced from online marketplaces such as eBay. He repurposed industrial-grade laser diodes, including those originally designed for cinema projectors, and combined them using knife-edge combiners to produce a single, ultra-powerful beam.

Despite the device’s extreme power, Anthony took safety precautions during testing. He wore specialised goggles and operated the laser in a controlled environment to avoid injury.

“This laser is so far off the laser danger rating scale that its eye hazards are incomprehensible,” Anthony said in his video.

In addition to burning objects, Anthony used the laser to craft synthetic rubies by focusing the beam on materials until they crystallised into gem-like structures.

Although the device is “dubiously legal,” Anthony’s careful handling and private testing may keep him clear of legal consequences. However, his work continues to push the boundaries of DIY laser technology.

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• YouTuber Styropyro built a 250-watt handheld laser

• The device is 50,000 times stronger than standard laser pointers

• It exceeds US legal limits for handheld lasers

Source: INTERESTING ENGINEERING