[muawiyah]

We made a 4 ft diameter fresnel lens out of 2inch framing timber, a sheet of optically clear reflecting mylar glued on a piece of masonite, hog eyes, bailing wire, nails and staples.

Using a variety of thermometers and materials with different ignition points (including popcorn and hotdogs) we determined the best high noon midsummer temperature it would produce at something like 1000 degrees Farenheit.

You'll need a small saw to cut the spiral into the mylar. Been a while but I think there's a pattern available on the net.

These are not kids' toys.

We were able to use it to light up a Sunday newspaper with just moonlight, and you could read text even on a starless night.

I kept it in the garage for many years then one day I noticed it was focusing the light from the garage window onto a piece of wood ~ which was clearly hot.

That's when I took it apart.

[Kirkwood]

“We were able to use it to light up a Sunday newspaper with just moonlight”

BALONEY!!!

[thecodont]

I kept it in the garage for many years then one day I noticed it was focusing the light from the garage window onto a piece of wood ~ which was clearly hot.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0529603/