To answer some questions, I bought a burner from
Conestoga Works - Lichtenberg Figure Wood Burners 2017.
I didn't want to build my own because I only know the basics about electricity and when it comes to high voltage (12000v.) there is no room for mistakes. In addition, this has a higher voltage output than the microwave transformers, I understand.
Chuck, I am experimenting with the finishing. The ones I did for Christmas presents I fine sanded them back to the original wood color,as the electrolyte solution of baking soda in combination with the burning gives a weather beaten color to the wood. It also raises the grain. But it loses some of the fine figuring by sanding.
I am going to try vinegar and a water rinse and see if that works. Will update that later.
There is a ton of information on the Internet about Lichtenburg Figure Wood Burning.
I have noted that are 3 types of paths that the burning takes and they seem to be unpredictable,and depending on the absorption of the electrolyte solution.
1. What I call the lighting bolt type that looks like the the lightening in the night sky.
2. The Vegetation type that looks like a tree branch, or weathered scrub tree or shrub.
And 3. A variation of the two above,resembling more of a vine.
The grain seems to dictate what it does,although on the same board all can appear.
Different woods act differently, my favorites are ,Oak and Tennessee aromatic Cedar
I have tried,Peruvian walnut, white oak, poplar, aromatic cedar, Spanish cedar, spalted western maple, unspalted western maple,mahogany, beech, BB plywood,luan plywood,
Glad you enjoyed,
Herb
