Wish someone would make something like this and sell it. No one wants to make a buck anymore?
maybe even try to figure out something more powerful.

Mathew Adams - Because It's illegal to own a laser this powerful (in the US).

patrick has offered to make these for people in the past but they are very expensive.

Screw this for a weak effort - gimme the truck-mounted one also in this Gizmag post.

I think I have a more powerful stare, this is quite a feeble effort! :P

looks like a lot of work to melt ice, and burn stuff like my magnifying glass did as a kid

It's sad that a 7 watt laser needs cooling anymore than a CPU chip needs, easily done with metal heat sink or tiny heat pipe.
Why the need to 12kVolts? Wouldn't 3vdc LED's work far better for the energy source?

Why is there always someone making misleading comments, with no actual knowledge of what they write.
This laser is not illegal to own in the USA nor are most any other lasers illegal to own in the USA. It is illegal to do harm with them or point them at automobiles, aircraft or police officers but other than that anyone can own one. Most wood shops have lasers that can cut quickly through wood & many machine shops have laser metal cutters and printers that can heat metal quickly to bonding temperatures. You can even buy pretty powerful lasers for cutting from the back off magazines PS.

The annoying noise it makes it feel cheap too. Much stronger than a pointer, but will quickly feel like it lacks power...
Would make a great novelty cigarette lighter from twelve foot distances for parties and such.

Been there, made that, and this one, you can order your Plans to Laser-Cut the pieces, and assemble it! http://cncking.com/collaborations/laser-cutter/edgar-the-inventor/ray-gun.html