Using a magnifying glass for starting a fire

[Stitch]

My wife carries a small glass one in her first aid kit and it has been awhile since I have practiced this method. It had rained the day before and the tinder was damp, too. It was about 1550 in the afternoon. The small tinder bundle is made from Shaggy Juniper.

 

[Mistwalker]

My wife carries a small glass one in her first aid kit and it has been awhile since I have practiced this method. It had rained the day before and the tinder was damp, too. It was about 1550 in the afternoon. The small tinder bundle is made from Shaggy Juniper.

Yep, on a good day for it a fresnel lens works great. I keep a plastic one in my kit that works pretty well, and makes a good magnifying glass for digging out splinters and stuff.

 

[kgd]

Good stuff. As Mist says, you can find the plastic card lens that are the same size as a credit card and fit nicely in your wallet. They are often one of those things found in a drug store by the cash register. Ben's Backwoods sells them for a couple of bucks also. I have a bunch stashed in my kit. Also, many baseplate compasses have a little lens built into them that although small (requiring more sunlight) work in a pinch.

 

[DrivebyTrucker]

On the same subject, has anyone found a very large magnifying glass that would be good to carry for starting fires? Like what Stitch is using, but say twice as big.

 

[Stitch]

I have a 5 inch one that I found at Goodwill for a few dollars. I took the handle and chrome lens holder off. I forgot it at home. I will try to get some pictures of it posted soon.

 

[CoyotePhysics]

There are large fresnel lenses (8"x11") that do a rather incredible job of starting fires. On a good day they will ignite tinder without any blowing.

 

[Starlight1967]

There are large fresnel lenses (8"x11") that do a rather incredible job of starting fires. On a good day they will ignite tinder without any blowing.

I was going to mention the A4 sized fresnel lenses. They're still only a couple millimetres thick, but I remember setting light to a 4"x2" pole once, while I was up in Queensland. Only problem I've found is that they're rather susceptible to scratching, so keep it in a plastic envelope.
G

 

[umberto00]

Funny - I was at the beach this weekend, and my Zippo ran out of fuel. Instead of making the trek back to the beachhouse to get a new lighter or matches, I used the fresnel lens that I keep in my wallet to light my cigarettes. Worked like a charm!

(I know that this wasn't a 'Survival Situation,' -- but for a smoker, not having a lighter or matches is life and death

 

[Angus McGunnigl]

I ahve used both the wallet sized and 8 x 11 and had little trouble getting fires going.

If you REALLY want to have some fun, get a free old bigscreen TV off craigslist. asthe front screen is usuallly a huge fresnel lense. I have one and it will ignite a 2x4 instantly on a sunny day. DANGEROUS

 

[LupaWolf]

That's awesome. We did fire starting with magnifying glasses at one of our outdoor gatherings and the kids just loved it. Kept them busy (with supervision) for quite some time seeing what all they could get to burn. One little girl burned designs into a piece of wood as a gift to her dad. I love that kid!

 

[abo4ster]

Fire requires heat, fuel and oxygen. Preparing your tinder properly can help overcome weaker magnifying devices...

[video=youtube;H1QVCkdgmlY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1QVCkdgmlY&feature=channel_video_title[/video]

 

[powernoodle]

I tried it once with the small magnifier on a Victorinox SAK. Couldn't do it. All of the planets have to be aligned, and that tiny magnifier couldn't grab and focus enough light to do the trick.

 

[Mack]

As long as the sun is out and I have this kit I will have fire. Thanks again Rick.

 

[kgd]

As long as the sun is out and I have this kit I will have fire. Thanks again Rick.

Proturist, you are sadly mistaken. What you have there is a man-ifying glass. Not a magnifying glass. Just thought you should know

 

[Codger_64]

Tedd Cash used to make those kits in brass, german silver and tin. I wonder if he still does?

ETA: Yep, he still does. It is called a "Hudson Bay Tobacco Box". Also available in copper now. :thumbup:

 

[Mack]

Proturist, you are sadly mistaken. What you have there is a man-ifying glass. Not a magnifying glass. Just thought you should know

Thank you for the correction. I'm absolutely sure that what you say is true.

 

[DrivebyTrucker]

I tried it once with the small magnifier on a Victorinox SAK. Couldn't do it. All of the planets have to be aligned, and that tiny magnifier couldn't grab and focus enough light to do the trick.

I've yet to start a fire with a magnifying glass. I believe I've tried before using a big magnifying glass that you buy at office supply store. It was a no go.

 

[Joezilla]

Here are some magnifying glass setups from a friend's collection. I thought they were neat

 

[dmourati]

I remember using a small magnifying glass and dryer lint in the cub scouts. It didn't light right away but it definitely worked.