Lichtenburg (fractal) Figures
in Wood Turning. On May 20, 2017, I
attended my wood turning group (BAWA) meeting in Pleasant Hill. At that meeting a presentation was made of
making a homemade Lichtenberg figure wood burner. This device can be made from a neon light
electrical motor or a refrigerator electrical machine. The device once plugged into a standard
American socket can transmit Thousands of watts of electricity. Two metal probes are attached to this
homemade device and used on a piece of wood to make intricate designs. You can see this being done by going to You
Tube. German physicist George
Lichtenberg discovered the device. He used
it to make fractal patterns with it with appearances such as lightning or
trees. During the demonstration we were
warned to be very careful because people using this device had experienced
heart attacks when 1200 volts of current went through their chest. After the demonstration our parent wood
turners organization (American Wood turners Association) out lawed such
demonstrations at our meetings. Not being
brave enough to make my own device, I ordered one from Conestoga Works. After ordering the device, I almost returned
it because of safety concerns. Linda,
very bravely marched us out on our patio and we used the device. It operates off of a foot pedal. I set the device up and from a distance,
pushed the pedal. A solution of baking
soda and water must be spread on the piece of wood being electrocuted to make
it work. I followed these instructions
and the designs on this bowl you see is the result. Many burnings were required. Linda had me stain the piece orange. I am sure it will be one of our Halloween
decorations. We like how it turned it
out. The piece is made of Oak and is 3 ¼
by 6 inches.
About Me
- Gary Bingham
- Please see other web addresses: http://westwood2.blogspot.com/ My Employment for 27 years in The Calif. Dept. of Corrections; 31 ½ years in the U.S. Army; Vietnam story, pictures; Prison story, picture http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/24135 : Library of Congress: my military history
Best of Show San Bernardino County Fair 2011
spalted wood vase
suspended vessel, candlesticks
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Saturday, June 3, 2017
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