Forge Idea magnifying sun from digital light projection

My son's solar project of the day, he tore apart an older DLP TV and using one of the magnifying layers from the screen my son Loryn is going to use this in place of coal in his forge. The sky is slightly over cast today, the sun is covered with thin clouds, enough sun to still see our shadow. A piece of paper burst into flames in 2 seconds. It takes a little longer to bring metal to a bright yellow glow color he needs to work the steel. Absolutely amazing green eco project to save on using up our earths fossil fuel resources.

Brenda

Hey Brenda did you see this thread?

https://permies.com/t/21924/solar/making-glass-grid

Wyomiles Hogan wrote:Hey Brenda did you see this thread?

https://permies.com/t/21924/solar/making-glass-grid

No, I didn't see this thread but I did briefly browse a few of the solar forums looking for magnifying lenses from DLP's.

i'd be interested in viewing a youtube of his results. my experiments with fresnel lenses had led me to believe that the recycled tv ones make a more diffuse angle, which works just fine for cooking, but something like forging would require the "spot" fresnel lenses, which are angled to better focus light into one tiny point.

chrissy bauman wrote:i'd be interested in viewing a youtube of his results. my experiments with fresnel lenses had led me to believe that the recycled tv ones make a more diffuse angle, which works just fine for cooking, but something like forging would require the "spot" fresnel lenses, which are angled to better focus light into one tiny point.

The point he is stuck, the tv screen from a DLP it seems to be too hot for the metals. How to adjust the temp. He said he needs to unfocus the screen so its not such a focused point. I'll have pics soon, we need to build a tripod for the screen. 2 guys holding the screen kind of crude! lol

you could shade the lens to reduce the incoming light if you need to. or adjust the lens closer or further from the spot.

chrissy bauman wrote:you could shade the lens to reduce the incoming light if you need to. or adjust the lens closer or further from the spot.

He'll get it right. Wants to make a video on this for sure. Maybe not having to deal with the coal, the art of blacksmithing will grow back.