[reible]

A long time ago in a place far far away as I was growing up I knew this man that would I think take a blow torch and use it to burn the wood then if I recall correctly wire brush the surface to get the really burned bits off. Bird houses/feeders/other outside things and they seem to have an interesting look and some form of protection from decay. He was from Germany and taught me many interesting things...... but one of them was not how he did this.

Does anyone here know anything about what I'm talking about???

Ed

 

[fibertech]

I remember doing this in High School Wood Shop Class. The procedure was exactly as you stated. I think that I made a key holder using Cup Hooks on a large wooded key. Living in Western Washington State, I can't believe that it could be waterproof.

 

[angus]

After you burn the wood put a coat of clear poly on it. You can control the burn to creat different affects - it really works great on cedar - I make small wishing wells from cedar and "burn" them - they sell faster than the ones I don't burn

 

[jerrymayfield]

Polyurethane varnish is one of the worst things to put on any thing that will be exposed to uv .

jerry

 

[angus]

Polyurethane varnish is one of the worst things to put on any thing that will be exposed to uv .

jerry

Jerry there are poly products that can be used out doors - Zar for example - an oil based poly that contains ultraviolet radiation absorber and antioxidants. - There are also many Marine type poly products available - ever had a boat?

 

[reible]

Thanks everyone who posted!

I'm going to give it a try... propane rather then white gas of course. Since this will be for me and not to sell I think I will go with a raw finish and see what happens after a couple of years.....

Ed

 

[fibertech]

Use a small torch such as one that you would use to sweat copper plumbing. Set the flame so that it covers a broad area. The edges will have a tendency to burn more. You want to try and avoid this.

 

[jerrymayfield]

I have done tests and read the results of many tests done on clear finishes for outdoor use. Polyurethane varnish is always one of the very worst finishes. Any finish may be used outside that doesn't mean they will hold-up.The uv protection added to most finishes lasts from 3 weeks to 6 months. Investigate the results.

jerry

 

[Bob N]

Ed,

You are reminding me of the many years I have on me. A long long time ago, when I was a wee lad in school, we did a project in shop using a similiar method. We made a lamp out of a large board about 6X8 or larger (can't remember for sure the size). We took a section about a foot or more long and threw it in a camp like fire and let it burn a few minutes before removing it and letting it cool. After cool, we took a wire brush and brushed out the grain and lose ash etc. Afterward we drilled the center and wired for a lamp and shade. I have no idea of the finish we used, but I would be willing to bet it was plain old varnish of some type being that long ago. I used that lamp for a very long time and was so proud of it. I wonder what ever happened to it over the years.

I may have to go out to the shop and make another someday now that you brought this reminder about.

Hope you and everyone here are having a great hoiliday

 

[reible]

Ed,

You are reminding me of the many years I have on me. A long long time ago, when I was a wee lad in school, we did a project in shop using a similiar method. We made a lamp out of a large board about 6X8 or larger (can't remember for sure the size). We took a section about a foot or more long and threw it in a camp like fire and let it burn a few minutes before removing it and letting it cool. After cool, we took a wire brush and brushed out the grain and lose ash etc. Afterward we drilled the center and wired for a lamp and shade. I have no idea of the finish we used, but I would be willing to bet it was plain old varnish of some type being that long ago. I used that lamp for a very long time and was so proud of it. I wonder what ever happened to it over the years.

I may have to go out to the shop and make another someday now that you brought this reminder about.

Hope you and everyone here are having a great hoiliday

Gee now you have brought back a memory of a birdhouse my Brother made out of a section of 8" dia. tree. He made one end pointie (makeshift lathe) then..... well no need to go into to many details but combining your idea of the log in the fire and the bird house idea might just something a bit new for me to try and combine ideas is always fun.

Now all I need is a chunk of tree...... hey the fire would dry it too!!!! And then while its cooking I could make smores and sing old router songs.....

BTW if any of you are missing a tree from the backyard this coming week I did not take it...... honest.

Ed

 

[GoonMan]

Hey Ed all thanks for sharing this ideal on finishing I have been wanting to try some new finishing wood. Has anyone tried this on something like red oak.

 

[Bob N]

Hey Ed all thanks for sharing this ideal on finishing I have been wanting to try some new finishing wood. Has anyone tried this on something like red oak.

Randy,

I know it works well on soft wood like pine due to the softer grain. I would be very interested in the outcome on a hardwood like oak if you try it.

Cheers

 

[hairfolicle2]

I remember seeing something on DIY or something like that about using fire on the face of red oak boards before finishing, it makes the grain stand out like a neon sign.