Wiktor Wise
Fractal wood burning, also known as Lichtenberg burning or wood fracking, is a technique that uses high-voltage electricity to create intricate patterns on wood. While the results can be stunning, it's important to approach this art form with extreme caution. High voltage electricity is extremely dangerous and has resulted in numerous fatalities, even when performed by experienced individuals. The process involves applying an electrolytic solution to the wood, which reduces surface resistance, and then passing a high voltage current through electrodes placed on the wood. This causes the surface to heat up and burn in a pattern radiating outward from the electrodes. The charred surface of the wood becomes mildly conductive, contributing to the unique fractal patterns that form.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the technique | Fractal burning, Lichtenberg burning or wood fracking |
| Process | Burning a Lichtenberg figure into wood using high-voltage electricity |
| Surface preparation | Applying a coat of electrolytic solution to the wood surface to reduce resistance |
| Electrode placement | Two electrodes are placed on the wood |
| Voltage | Voltages of around 2,100 volts are produced |
| Current | A fatal current of 500-2,000 milliamps |
| Safety concerns | Numerous incidents of death or severe injuries have been reported, with at least 33 deaths between 2017 and 2022 |
| Safety precautions | The American Association of Woodturners has banned demonstrations and sales related to this practice at its events due to safety concerns |
| Wood type | Tighter grain wood burns better |
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What You'll Learn
Choose the right type of wood
Wood burning art, or pyrography, is a fun way to turn any wooden piece into art. When choosing the right type of wood for your electricity wood-burning art, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, safety should be the top priority. Avoid burning poisonous or toxic woods, as they can release harmful fumes. For example, oleander and poison ivy are poisonous woods that should be avoided. You can check wood toxicity charts online to identify which woods are unsafe to burn.
It is also important to ensure that the wood you choose is raw, untreated, and dry. Burning woods with finishes, stains, paints, or other treatments can release toxic chemicals into the air. If you do choose to burn treated wood, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and wear a gas mask to protect yourself from inhaling toxic fumes.
When selecting wood for your project, consider the grain tightness. Tighter grain wood tends to burn better and create more precise and detailed designs. Additionally, the type of wood you choose can impact the darkness and smoothness of your burn. For example, knotty alder is known for producing smooth and dark burns, while birch is a popular choice for wood-burning projects and can be easily purchased at craft stores.
Lastly, always trust your judgment and be cautious. If you are unsure about a particular type of wood, perform a small test burn and observe for any allergic reactions or sensitivities. By following these guidelines, you can choose the right type of wood for your electricity wood-burning art safely and effectively.
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Prepare the wood surface
Preparing the wood surface is a crucial step in the process of electricity wood burning art. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Firstly, select the right type of wood for your project. Tighter grain wood tends to burn better, creating more intricate and detailed patterns. Look for wood with a tight grain pattern and a smooth surface, free from any large knots or imperfections.
Before beginning the burning process, it's important to clean and prepare the wood surface. Use a soft cloth or brush to remove any dust, dirt, or debris from the wood. You can also use a mild wood cleaner or wood prep solution to ensure the surface is free of any oils or residues that might interfere with the burning process.
Once the wood is clean and dry, you need to apply a coat of an electrolytic solution to the surface. This solution will reduce the resistance of the wood, allowing the electricity to flow more easily and create more intricate patterns. You can purchase specialised electrolytic solutions or make your own using a conductive material, such as salt or steel wool, dissolved in water.
After applying the electrolytic solution, allow the wood to dry completely. It's important that the wood is dry before proceeding, as moisture can affect the conductivity and the overall results of your burning art.
Finally, you'll need to attach the electrodes to the wood surface. Place two electrodes onto the prepared wood surface, ensuring they have good contact and are securely attached. The exact placement of the electrodes will depend on the design you wish to create, but they should be positioned carefully and deliberately.
Now, your wood surface is prepared, and you can proceed to the next step of creating your electricity wood burning art. Remember to exercise extreme caution when working with high voltages and always prioritise safety.
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Safety precautions
Fractal wood burning, also known as Lichtenberg burning or wood fracking, is an art form that involves burning wood with high-voltage electricity to create intricate patterns. While the results can be beautiful, the process is extremely dangerous and has led to several fatalities. Here are some detailed safety precautions to follow if you choose to attempt this art form:
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Put on appropriate safety gear, including insulated boots and gloves. The insulation will help prevent electric shocks by inhibiting the flow of electricity through your body. Safety goggles and a face shield will protect your eyes and face from potential sparks or debris. Consider wearing a full-body insulated suit for maximum protection.
Work in a Safe Environment:
Always perform fractal wood burning outdoors or in a well-ventilated area to minimise the risk of inhaling harmful fumes. Set up your workspace on a flat, level surface away from flammable materials and other potential hazards. Ensure that the area is isolated and free from bystanders to prevent accidental contact with the high-voltage equipment.
Isolate Your Workpiece:
Place the wood you'll be burning on an insulated mat to electrically isolate it from the ground. This helps prevent accidental electric shocks by providing a barrier between the wood and any conductive surfaces. Make sure the mat is thick enough to withstand the high voltages involved.
Use Remote Activation and Kill Switches:
Set up remote activation switches to control the electrical current from a distance. This allows you to turn the power on and off without being in direct contact with the electrodes or electrical sources. Additionally, install remote kill switches that can immediately cut off the power in case of an emergency.
Maintain a Safe Distance:
Never hold the electrodes or electrical leads in your hands. Use clamps or stands to secure them in place, ensuring that they are a safe distance away from your body. This minimises the risk of accidental contact with the high-voltage current.
Use a Dead Man's Switch:
Consider using a dead man's switch, which requires constant pressure or activation to keep the circuit live. Typically, this involves using two momentary switches in series, so both hands must be pressing the switches for the electricity to flow. If you release the switches or move your hands away, the circuit breaks, and the power is cut off.
Avoid High-Risk Equipment:
Do not use microwave oven transformers or similar high-risk equipment. These devices can output extremely high voltages and currents that are difficult to control and can cause serious injury or death. Instead, opt for lower-voltage alternatives or specialised equipment designed for fractal wood burning.
Understand Electrical Safety:
Before attempting fractal wood burning, ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of electrical safety. Familiarise yourself with the equipment, voltage requirements, and potential hazards. Know how to respond in case of an emergency, and always have a plan for mitigating risks.
Stay Informed About Dangers:
Recognise that fractal wood burning is a dangerous activity that has led to severe injuries and fatalities. Stay informed about the risks involved, and do not underestimate the potential consequences. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with the risks, it is best to refrain from attempting this art form.
Remember, even with these safety precautions, the nature of fractal wood burning involves inherent risks. Always exercise extreme caution and discretion when working with high-voltage electricity.
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Applying voltage
Coating the Wood Surface: Before applying voltage, it's essential to prepare the wood surface properly. This involves coating the wood with an electrolytic solution, which significantly reduces the resistance of the surface. This step is crucial because it ensures that the electrical current can flow more easily through the wood, enhancing the burning effect.
Electrode Placement: The next step is to strategically place two electrodes on the wood surface. These electrodes will conduct the high voltage electricity and create the fractal patterns. It's important to place the electrodes carefully, as their placement will influence the direction and shape of the burning patterns. Artists may experiment with different placements to achieve varying effects.
Applying High Voltage: This is the most critical and potentially dangerous step in the process. A high voltage source, typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand volts, is connected to the electrodes. The specific voltage level will determine the intensity and speed of the burning process. It's important to note that the voltages used in fractal burning are much higher than standard mains electricity, which is why this technique can be extremely hazardous.
Controlling the Current: When applying voltage, it's essential to carefully control the electric current. Fractal burning involves using a high voltage with a relatively low current. A fatal current level can be as low as 500 milliamps, so it's crucial to ensure that the current remains within a safe range. Artists should be extremely cautious and use appropriate safety equipment to prevent accidental electrocution.
Monitoring the Burning Process: As the voltage is applied, the current passing through the electrodes will cause the wood surface to heat up. The electrolyte will eventually boil, and the wood will start to burn. The charred surface of the wood becomes mildly conductive, allowing the burning pattern to propagate outwards from the electrodes. Artists must closely monitor this process to ensure the desired effect is achieved without endangering themselves or their surroundings.
It's important to emphasize that electricity wood-burning art, particularly the application of voltage, is inherently dangerous and has resulted in numerous fatalities. Artists must exercise extreme caution, wear appropriate protective gear, and have a thorough understanding of electrical safety before attempting this intricate and risky art form.
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Art patterns and techniques
Wood burning art using electricity, or Lichtenberg burning, involves using high-voltage electricity to create intricate, tree-branch-like patterns and custom textures on wood surfaces. This technique results in unique and mesmerizing designs, but it is important to approach it with caution due to the potential risks involved.
To begin the process, it is crucial to select the right type of wood. Most woodworkers prefer thin plywood or underlayment because the thin layer of wood at the top and bottom provides a suitable surface for imprinting fractals and other intricate designs. Walnut and cherry wood are also popular choices due to their rich colours and beautiful grain patterns. Additionally, these woods are sturdy and dense enough to withstand the electrical process.
Before applying electricity, the wood surface is brushed with an electrolyte solution. This step ensures that the electricity can flow through the grain of the wood effectively. The positive and negative leads of the transformers are then connected to the ends of the wood, allowing electricity to flow through the grain and create intricate burn patterns.
During the burning process, it is important to exercise caution and maintain a safe working environment. This technique should not be attempted by those unfamiliar with electrical wiring and safety protocols. It is crucial to work in a well-ventilated area due to the potential emission of chlorine gas. A fire extinguisher should also be kept nearby in case of fires.
After the burning process is complete, the wood needs to be cleaned to remove any burned pieces and residue. A soft brush and slow-flowing water from a hose can be used for this step, taking care not to damage the intricate pattern. Finally, the wood can be coated with a thin layer of polyurethane to protect and enhance the artwork.
In conclusion, creating electricity wood burning art involves a combination of artistic creativity and technical knowledge. By understanding the basics of electricity, conductivity, and wood behaviour, artists can safely employ techniques like Lichtenberg burning to create unique and mesmerizing designs on wood surfaces.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity wood burning art, also known as fractal burning, Lichtenberg burning, or wood fracking, is a technique where a Lichtenberg figure is burned into wood using high-voltage electricity.
By applying a coat of electrolytic solution to the surface of the wood, the resistance of the surface drops. Then, two electrodes are placed on the wood, and a high voltage is passed across them. The current from the electrodes causes the surface of the wood to heat up until the electrolyte boils and the wooden surface burns. Since the charred surface of the wood is mildly conductive, the surface of the wood will burn in a pattern outwards from the electrodes.
Electricity wood burning art relies on high voltages, much higher than normal mains electricity. Even a small fraction of the current used can be fatal. Due to the galvanic isolation in the transformer, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or residual-current device (RCD) may not be able to break the circuit in the event of an electric shock. Between 2017 and 2022, at least 33 people died from attempting this practice at home.
Tighter grain wood tends to burn better.
Given the significant risks associated with this practice, it is important to prioritize safety. Ensure that you are properly isolated from the ground and do not touch the wood or cables during the process. Consider wearing insulated boots to protect yourself from electric shocks.
