Campfire Starting Laser

[Doctor2015]

I'm looking for a laser pointer with a bit of oomph behind it. I currently own a 450nm (maybe 420) laser that was listed as 1000mw on eBay. I can burn stuff like electrical tape and wooden surfaces with it at close distances (up to about 4 ft). I've homemade some safety lenses out of some spare acrylic I had that tested really well against the blue color.

How strong a laser would I need to, for example, start a campfire? I don't want a laser that sets everything on fire it instant it's turned on, but holding it to wood for 10-15 seconds ought to make some flames. Is this even possible? What wattage am I looking for? Is laserpointerpro.com a reliable source of lasers? I was under the impression 50,000mw diodes didn't exist.

What's the minimum laser I need to start small woodfires, and where should I look for legit eye safety equipment?

 

[WizardG]

" I was under the impression 50,000mw diodes didn't exist. "

They don't, at least not at visible wavelengths. Try Sanwu lasers. Get something 3 watts or higher. That will start a fire about as quickly as matches will. Laserpointerpro has a....... less than stellar reputation.

 

[Doctor2015]

" I was under the impression 50,000mw diodes didn't exist. "

They don't, at least not at visible wavelengths. Try Sanwu lasers. Get something 3 watts or higher. That will start a fire about as quickly as matches will. Laserpointerpro has a....... less than stellar reputation.

Thanks for the response. I took a look at Sanwu, and it looks like the cheapest 3W is $220, which I was kind of expecting, but hoping it would be cheaper. What's the difference between Single and Multi operational mode?

 

[hakzaw1]

just bundle a bunch of strike anywhere wooden matches- paint the target with black sharpie.
start far away (a tripod will help) and move in until the matches light. --and if you have laid your fire right --the matches will get it started-- as far as a laser that sets wood REALLY on fire- too spendy or does not exist.. btw good luck and know that a bunch of threads just like your happen a few times per year--
hone your searching skillz and find them
also'a black ballon with something excellarent inside might make an impressive kaboom. Hang it over your wood..
but be careful.. really take care..

 

[RedCowboy]

Many of us buy our laser safety glasses here and you need good laser safety glasses just to see how well your laser is focused at your target and to protect your eyes, accidents happen so get your safety glasses right away. > LINK


You can concentrate your beam so that you can make an open flame kernel on the surface of wood at a distance but that won't " light " your campfire any more than holding a cigarette lighter flame against a block of wood for a few seconds.......you would need a crap-ton of energy to instantly set a thick block of wood on fire but what you can do is use kindling just like we do when really building a fire, stack your logs on top of a stack of twigs with some cardboard and a bit of paper to get it started, you can stuff some brown paper bags with strips of cardboard and pile twigs and then branches on top and finish with your split logs then light the paper bags with your laser, works great but remember, safety first and always.

Safety Goggles

For current CE certificates for our Eagle Pair Goggles, please click these links: EP-1 through EP-10 EP-11 through EP-18

www.survivallaserusa.com

 

[hakzaw1]

just bundle a bunch of strike anywhere wooden matches- paint the target with black sharpie.
start far away (a tripod will help) and move in until the matches light. --and if you have laid your fire right --the matches will get it started-- as far as a laser that sets wood REALLY on fire- too spendy or does not exist.. btw good luck and know that a bunch of threads just like your happen a few times per year--
hone your searching skillz and find them
also'a black ballon with something excellarent inside might make an impressive kaboom. Hang it over your wood..
but be careful.. really take care..

My bad if this post was unkind-- working on that