Build Your Own Laser, Phaser, Ion Ray Gun and Other Working Space Age Projects (Paperback)

~ (Author), Robert Iannini (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

no description --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 390 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-hill Inc; 1st edition (November 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830606041
• ISBN-13: 978-0830606047
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #169,746 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Serious Electronics, December 9, 2003

By A Customer

This book teaches practical,
hands-on experience with some exciting
science projects that you aren't likely to
encounter elsewhere.

The ultrasonic listener extends the sense of
hearing to the realm of sounds above 20kHz.

The low-power one-transistor fm radio
transmitter is a useful tool to have in
your bag of tricks; it can be built on an
hour's notice, and for under $1.

It is an educational and worthwhile book.

That's the good news.

Now for a word of caution:

What I'm suggesting here is that you approach
the projects in this great book with wisdom and
an ability to think vigorously and persistently.

On one hand, If you mangage to complete and operate
all this book's projects, including adjustment of the
high-voltage supply of the cutting CO2 laser, and still
have not qualified for a postumous Darwin Award, then you
have demonstrated you are either a bizzarrely lucky fool
or a master technician who has the iron will to stay
alive by sticking to impeccable safety procedures.

And before you make your own homemade EMP generator,
consider that, at the time Mr. Ianinni wrote
this wonderous book, the electronic landscape
was much less involved, without the so many
co$tly thing$ like cell phone$ and PDA$ in it.
The radius of de$truction could lead irate
villagers (now reduced to a technological level of
torches and pitchforks) directly to your laboratory.

At least one of the devices i.e taser, have gotten
negative legislative attention since the book was
first published.

Ok; so now you know some of these projects
are genuinely hazardous.
Take care. Pay attention. Get old.
Keep one hand in your pocket.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Book, New Electronics, December 20, 2001

By	Justin Aplin (Oviedo, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Build Your Own Laser, Phaser, Ion Ray Gun & Other Working Space-Age Projects (Paperback)

This is an exlent book of electronics fo beginners and experts alike. It gives step-by-step instructions on building real lasers, imitation lasers, cutting lasers, sonic devices, ultrasonic devices, magnetic disturbance detectors, and much more. Requires little or no electrical experience.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really cool home built projects, September 4, 1998

By A Customer

~Good Stuff~: I found this book every interesting. The author shows you the basic of some simple projects and then improves on them. ~Needs help~: Some of the advanced projects require a solid foundation in electronics if you want to understand what is going on with it. Some of the contruction diagrams are really hard to follow, they are not diagrammed clearly, and some info is missing on one or two. The author never gives you a rough estimate on the cost of building each project.