Can anyone tell me how to light a candle?

Hi,

Can anyone tell me how to light a candle with my 1W DL Spartan?

No matter what I tried to do, it won't ignite. The best I get is a lot of smoke, the wick gets red, but it won't go.

I tried different distances, no good. I tried lighting it first with a match, then extinguished it and then again with the laser- no good.

I tried different angles, no good. Different candles, no good.

I read somewhere that a candle will light at the focal point. But how can I find my laser's focal point?

:thanks:

Light the candle first with a match to melt the
wax on the cold wick.
Then blow it out and try again with the laser...
Don't forget to wear safety goggles.....

Jerry

You won't have to do that if you are doing it with a used candle but the heat from it just being burned could help it light faster. Also, try putting the laser and candle on still surfaces so the laser can heat up one point.
Some candles will be easier to light than others. Some won't light at all. I don't know why but I'm guessing each candle is different based on the type of wax or string it has.
Focus the laser to a point. The beam should look like this ><. The thinnest point in the beam is where it is focused.
http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/1-4w-laser-not-1-4w-60142.html
post #2 in this thread should explain it better.

:thanks:

I'll try.