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I have to put on a demo of this fractal burning at the guild meeting and I thought I should have all the wires and the transformer covered up for safety. Along with building the box for it, I made some electrodes like I just saw in a video yesterday. One is weighted to stay down on the part and the other is a wand made of PVC so I can easily start a pattern anywhere without stopping to unplug and relocate the clips . The last shots show it working on a scrap piece of maple burl that was cracked. Now I'm ready to go!!

The second shot is the top of the box with a little burn pattern in it. There are lots of holes in the box to keep the transformer cool.
The box is made from any scrap plywood the was the right dimension for the parts needed. It is painted black and the top and rocking electrode are coated with clear lacquer.

Cheers, Jim

I just reworked my old transformer box for fractal burning on 10-21-18.
I used a different transformer and made new safer electrodes and put in a variable rheostat for low voltage burning and a switch and pilot light. it also has a swing down handle to get out of the way of the switches on top. This box is going to Arizona.










Cheers, Jim

Gallery

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Nice set up Jim. Good luck with the demo.
 

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6,953 Posts
I've got to try this!

Did you use anything to help make the wood conductive? I've read that Baking soda/water sprayed on the surface aids in creating the conductivity.
 

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CRAZY… Just plain CRAZY!

AWESOME!

You've GOT IT!
 

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My sisters' husband was a welder for Com ED for 30+ years and I asked him if he could make one for me and he sure he could, but he wouldn't because he was afraid I might kill myself.
That makes two of us. So I am glad you know what you are doing!
 

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I've been thinking about doing this for awhile. I like the idea of putting everything in a box to help keep from accidentally touching the transformer. Gotta be REAL careful but the results are worth it.
 

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What an awesome art form Jim. Good luck with your demo.
 

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Good luck with the demo Jim, just make sure there are no fire detectors armed ::)))
you don't want a bill for a false call out
cheers bud
Pete
 

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Amazing result, nicely done Jim
 

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Hi Jim I like what I se, believe it or not I have been looking at this process in the last few weeks and it's som that I want to do as well' do have anymore info as to how you made yours.
 

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Thats scary looking kit Jim, but have to agree with th other LJs , it produces some very interesting results.
 

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Jim that's really cool. I'd love to see a video of that process… Will definitely be looking this up later
 

· In Loving Memory
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Your on another path now Jim, your set up looks tops but how many elves were sacrificed in the process? Joke.
Not being a electrician I have asked three different tradesmen if they could make me a burner, all rejected the
offer on safety reasons. I'll have to find something new to play with. Look forward to seeing your art work.
 

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Thanks for the nice comments and the interest.

Hi Lew, to make this work, you have to coat the area to be burned with water with baking soda dissolved in it. I tried lots of other liquids but that works the best.

Hi Ray, it is dangerous so you don't drink beer and use this! I made that long PVC wand to keep me away from the tip for that reason. I did not put a switch on it because I wanted it always to be unplugged before I pick up the ground connector.

Hi Pete. Good point. I should do this one outdoors. The smoke might just set off a fire detector. I'll do it on the hood of Joe's truck!! He'll like that!

Hi Mrkixx. To do the burning, you need a high voltage transformer from a microwave or a neon sign. You connect one wire to the ground of the transformer and the other to high voltage side and then make the ends of the wires contact the wood with clips, nails or weights. Keep the contact 2" or more apart or the voltage will jump from contact to contact if you get them too close and it will pop the breaker where you have it plugged in. Coat the wood with the water with baking soda and plug it in. Keep your hands far away from the wires.

Hi Tooch. Here is a video that shows it working ( not mine though)


Hi Bob. I had to take the elves off the table I'm building to get this done and tried out. Here is a bowl I burned before I made the new want and ground rocker: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/256370

I would not make one for someone else or let them use mine either. Too much risk involved if they make a mistake ( and maybe a fatal one).

Cheers, Jim
 

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Really cool Jim. Thanks !!!!
 

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Nicely done! I've incorporated an outlet on mine that the wand plugs into on the front along with an on/off switch. I like the idea of the weighted piece…make it a bit more safe. I may borrow that idea. I've also found another transformer that I may wire into it as well…you know, so I can smoke out my shop more efficiently!

Great work Jim and thanks for the ideas.
 

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That's a demo I'd love to see, Jim!
 

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Hi Jim
Looks like a mad scientist at work in the lab but the results are incredible .
It all looks nice and safe the way you got it rigged up and good luck at the guild demo.

Klaus
 

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Cool! Good luck on your presentation.
 

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Thanks Mike, Bobbo, Candy, Klaus and John.

Hi Bobbo. That is the exact same transformer I have (GE Microwave that I bought at the Restore). I got the idea for the rocker ground pin from a video but I cannot find it to show you. I used to put nails in and then use alligator clips on the wires for the nails. This is a whole lot easier to use. I had a 9000 volt Neon transformer but it must have burned out because the output quit. I had to take out the GFI circuit to use it because this is a direct short .

Hi Candy, come to East Kentwood High School on Sept 13th at 7:00 to see it in person.

Hi Klaus. I don't know about the scientist part???
 

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It's a great set up and I hope the demo goes well Jim. I still turn a little green when I look at it. This one will be a while down the line. If I lived closer I would consider coming to the demo.
 
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