Would anyone care to recommend an online source for credit-card sized fresnel lenses? I'm looking for something like the one in Doug's PSK.

Bear

Your wish is my command:

Fresnel Lenses

Although, I just pick them up at my local bookstore.

I've bought a few from this site:

http://www.campingsurvival.com/crcamaposifr.html

I got some good ones from Lee Valley Tools. They came in a 5-pack, I think. Gave away a bunch for Christmas. They're credit-card sized, flexible, have a protective pouch, and are quite good optically. Though to be honest, I haven't tried them for firemaking.

I believe you can get them online at http://www.leevalley.com/home.aspx

Bookstores, office supply stores, and sometimes even drug stores (near the reading glasses) have these.

I get mine from a bookstore/jewelry combo store called Le Parchemin. Regular bookstores don't always have them it seems.

I find them easy to carry in the wallet and they DO start a fire, but I found it "touchy" in getting the sunlight into that nice round beam of light. It's kinda squarish and I don't think it is as hot and quick as a regualr mag glass lens (although, it lit my char cloth instantly and from that, I was able to easily get a fire going.)

Michael

Try widgetsupply.com - they have a lot of interesting stuff.

Great pricing, communication and fast shipping. Just got an order from them yesterday. Placed the order Thursday afternoon and they contacted me with a question Friday morning. Stuff shipped Friday and I got the Priority box on Monday. Pretty good considering the time difference and distance.

http://3dlens.com/shop/fresnellens.php

I bought small, medium and large fresnels.., work great, and inexpensive, but it takes about 3 weeks to get them..., they're from Taiwan.

Walmart carries them. Look in the pharmacy area next to the reading glasses.

Greg

I've picked them up at both Walgreens and Staples.

Just to resurrect an old thread that I never followed up on...

Many (most?) of the links above are for 2x and 3x fresnels. Some had difficulty getting fires started. From another thread, Bestglide makes:

http://www.bestglide.com/fresnel_lens_firestarter.html

has fresnels in 4X. For those of you who have used both...is there that great a difference in firestarting ability???


Also, at this location:

http://3dlens.com/shop/infraredfresnellens.php

they have IR fresnels...but I couldn't find any info as to how they were different or what that would mean to a user...anyone???

I found my set in a local electronics supply shop, along with soldering tools, vises and such.

My understanding is that the magnification is irrelevant, and that it's light-collecting ability that matters for fire-starting.

Has anyone ever tried the lenses from a dead overhead projector, about 18" X 18"?

Instant fire but difficult to carry in your wallet.