Cautionary Tale or just grown donkey ears

So we finally had a nice sunny day in SW Va. and upon entering the 2nd floor loft that has two skylights and is where i tye flies,I smelled something burning. I was drawn to my wooden tying table and found the source of the burning smell. I had left my portable lighted magnifying glass on the table underneath one of the skylights. The sunlight passing through the magnifier ignited a piece of paper and burned a hole into the wood desk. Fortunately I found it in time and averted a disaster (the table was littered with combustible tying material) .So keep that in mind if you have direct sunlight access where you tye. When I looked at the set up on the table I immediately grew donkey ears and then had to explain to the war dept.(wife) where the smell was coming from.
Best,
Steve

Wow, close call.

I am glad you caught it when you did. The insurance adjuster was never going to believe what your paid for a bunch of feathers, and the wife would find out too.

What would have been worse is telling my wife what I really paid for all the rods and reels I have. Of course, my fly fishing friends would have had a pretty good time with it.

Close call and scary. My sister melted down the interior of '63 Buick Riviera in a similar accident. Jim

It takes a lot of heat to ignite a piece of wood in the middle of it, but it can happen. I remember in my property insurance days a malfunctioning florescent light fixture igniting a ceiling made of plywood in the middle of a shop office. I never dreamed something like that would get that hot.

I had a similar mishap with the magnifying glass on my Giraffe light. It burned through a plastic bag holding loose feathers. No fire but it sure did smell and fortunately we were home and smelled the smoke. I keep the glass in its protective bag now.

I put the fly tying magnifier away after use, not only to protect the piece but also as a safe guard as I tie right by a large window. Reminds me of when I was a boy scout and we started a campfire or two using a magnifier.

I'm glad it didn't any other damage but am also glad you posted this. I moved my magnifying glass because afternoon sun was hitting it. Thought maybe I was a little paranoid when I did that but now I feel more justified. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean chit can't happen.

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Originally Posted by RS2

I had a similar mishap with the magnifying glass on my Giraffe light. It burned through a plastic bag holding loose feathers. No fire but it sure did smell and fortunately we were home and smelled the smoke. I keep the glass in its protective bag now.

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Ever since getting a Giraffe light & magnifier back in the 80's, the lens has been covered with a cloth bag something like a Seagrams with a drawstring when not tying. Once readjusting the lens it ended up under the light & way too hot for a paper towel that started turning brown......