A question for woodworkers please.

[41Dude]

I only caught the last couple of minutes of a woodworking show.
Thet were using electricity to burn into a table top the pattern of grain. It looked like lightning bolts on the wood. Very creative.
Does anyone have experience with that technique?

 

[gnappi]

I've never heard of using electricity to burn a pattern in wood grain except with a soldering iron to burn in (see pic below) a design.

Back in the day, I made a couple of things with a technique by scorching the wood with a torch then taking away the softer bits between the growth rings with steel wool. Softer wood like pine works best and the amount of steel wool and or sanding left some pretty nice looking wood to finish.

Wood burning a design is pretty slow going but comes out pretty good.

 

[41Dude]

I've never heard of using electricity to burn a pattern in wood grain except with a soldering iron to burn in (see pic below) a design.

Back in the day, I made a couple of things with a technique by scorching the wood with a torch then taking away the softer bits between the growth rings with steel wool. Softer wood like pine works best and the amount of steel wool and or sanding left some pretty nice looking wood to finish.

Wood burning a design is pretty slow going but comes out pretty good.

That is beautiful

 

[C3Ranger]

I did a quick online search for scorching wood electrically which brought up several sites and how to videos. It is an interesting and beautiful result when done correctly.

 

[41Dude]

I did a quick online search for scorching wood electrically which brought up several sites and how to videos. It is an interesting and beautiful result when done correctly.

Thank you for the word scorching I did some searches with little luck using other terms. Scorching is a winner.

 

[Dan in MI]

I believe i know what you're talking about, but I can't come up with the name.

They soak, or coat, the wood with a salt brine. Then using the power supply from a microwave oven to let it burn whatever trace it decides to follow.

Dangerous as all get out if you don't know what you are doing. My nephew does it.

--- edit --- just ran a search "Fractal Burning."

 

[Busterswoodshop]

It is dangerous and can kill you.
Be careful.

 

[41Dude]

It is dangerous and can kill you.
Be careful.

Thank you for that I have zero interest in doing it. I just thought it was a creative idea.

 

[wheelgun1958]

It is dangerous and can kill you.
Be careful.

Hold my beer....

 

[WanderLust]

It's normally called Lichtenberg (or Lichtenburg) burning, also known as fractal burning. Relatively safe procedure, just use the same common sense as other hobbies, like, maybe, I dunno.....guns?

 

[el caminero]

Scotchbrite sort of sanding cloth does similar, taking the softwood and leaving the harder growth rings, you can then flame it to suit.
Deeper contrast can be done by torching it first, then scotchbrite.
Microwave power and salt is a new one to me.

 

[s4s4u]

My Dad used to put a propane torch to pine to raise the grain and give it color. It can be very pretty after applying the finishing coat.

 

[larry8]

I have to repeat this again: IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN KILL YOU IF YOU MAKE A SIMPLE MISTAKE.

 

[Kevin]

There is a Japanese wood burning technique called Shou Sugi Ban, I've seen it on YouTube. Really beautiful.

It makes the grain of the wood stand out, and would be incredible for a finish on some kitchen cabinets.