15 Jun
2008
15 Jun
'08
4:03 p.m.
I just tried lighting a match with my laser, this time using a lens of 250mm focal length to focus the spot to a smaller size. While before, the match took about six to eight seconds to ignite, with a focused beam it takes 2 to 3 seconds. Smoke forms almost instantly. Dark match heads work best. White ones never ignite, I have to color them black with a Sharpie. Matches stored in the garage (camping gear) also never seem to ignite, perhaps from absorbing too much moisture from the air.