The construction of a pulsed ruby laser and output measuring devices, built as a two-year undergraduate student project, is outlined. By using a silvered glass cavity with a linear flash-tube, thresholds as low as 180 J were obtained, and an energy output in excess of 0.20 J was observed at an input of 650 J. Emphasizing design and construction at all stages as opposed to acquisition of ready-made components, an attempt was made to use as many locally available parts as possible.