DIY Tutorial: How to Burn Wood - FIRE vs ELECTRICITY!

In this DIY Tutorial, I am going to show you HOW I burn wood, using both FIRE and ELECTRICITY!
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As promised, the link to the video where I learned how to build my own Lichtenberg device. www.dailymotion.com/video/x75...
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So what do I mean by using fire or electricity to burn wood?
Fire OBVIOUSLY burns wood, however, using fire as a tool to burn wood that allows me, or any other DIY’erS the freedom to create multiple different design patterns and apply a unique finish to their woodworking projects!
There are few different ways to burn wood to achieve that true DIY feeling to any wood burning project you’re creating.
Number 1 - The match
Number 2 - The extended lighter
Number 3 - A torch (preferred)
The type of wood you burn and how long you burn it in a specific area has a direct impact on your finalized build. Additionally, how you FINISH your wood art project is EXTREMELY important. And as much as I’d like to get into the different finishing techniques for burned wood, and how you can apply them yourself, this video is already running too long.
However, my upcoming video will explain EXACTLY that - How to Finish YOUR Burned Art Wood Projects Like a Pro!
Now before we move on to burning wood using electricity to create that lightning design, do me a quick favor! If you are new to this channel, or DIY in general, or maybe you’re a DIY enthusiast, and you’ve been woodworking or building projects for years, consider SUBSCRIBING! That way you can always keep up to date with all my DIY tips, tricks, and new builds! And remember, every subscriber that hits that LIKE button, COMMENTS below and SHARES this video gets a chance to win a FREE build from one of my previous videos.
So with that out of the way, let’s move on!
Have you ever seen those lightning designed tables or those pieces of wood that look like a little tree with branches was etched into it? These designs are known by a few names, to include fractal burning, fractal wood burning, or Lichtenberg wood burning, just to name a few.
Now when it comes to fractal wood burning, or more formally known as, Lichtenberg wood burning, it’s important to note that these designs require you to build a device before creating your wood art pieces. You will need to either purchase or build a Lichtenberg device. It is a relatively simple project, but it can be EXTREMELY dangerous! You’re dealing with using a Microwave oven transformer with a very high voltage output, and if you are not well versed in the dangers of electricity, you may want to reach out to a licensed electrician before attempting to build one of these Lichtenberg machines. While I am a licensed general contractor, I am NOT a licensed electrician, so I am NOT comfortable teaching you all how to build one of these.
My step-by-step guide to burning wood with electricity.
Step one - Sand or plane the wood
Step two - Create the mixture
Step three - Apply mixture to wood
Step four - Place the burning pins in the appropriate places
Step five - Let it burn!
If you have any ideas for DIY builds, please send them my way! I try to respond to all comments!
I always promise to give away something for everything I build. Check out my other videos for the items I give away for free!
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My First Promise: To create items that are as original as possible! I will NEVER do a direct copy of any creation. This promise is also backed by free gifts, otherwise known as free giveaways!
My Second Promise: To always try my best to make my videos informative and fun to watch! I want you to succeed in ALL your DIY projects, and if I can teach you even one new thing, we both win!
My Third Promise: To provide those less fortunate with a better future!
Until next time, Cheers!
Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Kevin Mechling, owner of Vin's Academy, will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Kevin Mechling is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

[@michellegriggs3798]

Your videos have been the best and most informative. I have been wanting to do the fractal burn project since i started wood burning with a heat gun. I want to get a machine not make one. However the MANY videos of people torching themselves scared me a bit. Keep rockin these videos. I would love to see a smaller wood burn (like a sharcoochie board) and a way to finish it without a planer.

[@annahernandez2051]

Awesome tutorial!

[@roygatlin3620]

Your projects are awesome!!

[@nicholaslonas9517]

My mom loves this so I shared it to her

[@dawnclaudettemoyer8754]

I am just learning this technique. Your tutorial helped tremendously!! Thank you......

[@user-nz9ps1me3w]

Very interesting! Like the way you do things! Thanks!!!

[@lindalacy9777]

The result is beautiful!

[@joannay3669]

Magnificent. Will happily and enjoyably watch your projects anytime I can. Looking forward to attempting to make beautiful things myself. Thanks for your time and talent.

[@jamesr2121]

I love to work with wood creating all kinds of artistic furniture and I draw different designs for hand designed wooden doors. I haven’t made 1 yet but looking forward to creating custom doors. I don’t have the tools needed.

[@the208nono]

Just getting into wood burning...just built a fence around my deck....still deciding. Thanks liked & shared....deady for the win....I need a build....plant stand

[@chipschroeder2500]

Love the turn it on electricity burn

[@KairleWright]

Very interesting and informative. You answered a lot of my questions. Thanks for the great viedo

[@musiciansvoice]

Wow I love how you teach thanks

[@user-cw2jf7ic8n]

I love this project, thanks for sharing.

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

Thanks for watching!

[@shannonsanders5357]

Great information

[@katiatzo]

Thank you!

[@timmalloy180]

awesome!, thank you want to learn more!

[@teresacoleman7581]

Wow 😮I love it

[@mattwestberry]

Awesome I wanna build my own

[@dianarobinson8934]

Lighting wood NAIL desk with blue waterfall resin ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤New subbie here 🤞 🙏

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@cathyekendahl8837]

Great video,

[@theiceman2100]

First time for me, and I’m wanting to look into the electricity with the wood I have always liked the way that design looks and have wanted to do it. as well as burning wood, and making designs on wood. I subscribed I will definitely be checking out more videos.

[@terrendaniell401]

That's so cool

[@user-qj1iu5rn4h]

learn more about using fractal wood burning and how to finish the wood once it is all doe i am very interested in this

[@candydorminy1545]

I want to learn to build a power source for electricity wood burning.

[@tonylyons2618]

AWESOME WORK

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@chrischapin3170]

Finishing electrical burn on kitchen island

[@wandaalmand8675]

I'm 60 years old I'm just now getting into woodwork I love the burning and using this epoxy resin could you show more of that and train me I need a private trainer thanks for the video

[@michelekennedy1013]

New to your site. Very informative

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

Thanks for the sub!

[@chantelgenest1414]

Can u show me how to do Murphy furniture like a bar and desk out of pallets

[@jamesromboldsr1852]

Can you use a welder to do the same thing.

[@Stelzy3]

New subscriber here. Thanks for your videos…. As per your request: I’d like to learn lichtenburg burning. It reminds me a lot of beautiful sparring I’ve seen in the past. I’m an artist in many mediums, so those things fascinate and captivate me. I’ve done wood burning for years. Thankfully I have a younger brother that is an electrician and he just may help me out…

[@richardunderwood3138]

I've been fractal burning with the lichtenberg process. Just expressing safety first. I've made some beautiful pieces. Ive never shot a video. If i succeed may i send it to you?

[@34813ctr]

I use a torch on some of my signs but would like to try fractal - I have a neon transformer. Good video

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

I would love to see some of your signs! I am also very curious as to how a neon transformer works in this capacity...let me know after you try it!

[@mattbrockman720]

Would a car battery charger work the same way?

[@redduke2506]

Very cool ,I'm a wood worker and I burn wood and make beautiful things and give em to family but I want to learn electrical bun ,need specs to build device . Never kept any thing I've made and only make one of a kind .would love to make something unique...want to see you build something USMC....I'm a old Marine

[@antoniosparaskevas9132]

Make a burned wood bar attached to shed

[@rustyshackelford8206]

pretty cool stuff,, Can you just hook up cables to 110v and put a switch on it and do the same thing?

[@nateb-runs5053]

If your asking this type of question this shows you know absolutely nothing about electricity. No 110v isnt even a fraction of what is required to do the burn method. You need at least 10,000 volts output Dc. I work on massive transformers with outputs of 24,000 volts plus, capacitors, ballasts, and multiple other types of power supplies everyday.

[@donnarae131]

I want to learn how to work frack

[@teamcrazyawesome8819]

I wanna learn how to make hidden cup holders in a gaming table

[@Mr_Chuckles]

Beautiful....but so dangerous. Leaning over the work which is full of electricity to turn it off is a huge safety mistake. At least place the switch away from the work or better yet use a "dead man" type switch which requires constant pressure to activate eg. foot pedal or dual push button switches.

[@micahebarb8349]

Can you make wood rings

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

I haven’t tried, but that sounds like fun!

[@tidwellemt1]

New subscriber and would like to see you do a wavy American flag build.

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

Now that is a challenge for sure!

[@justonshively4239]

wood burnt epoxy table

[@BrianMiller-ci5bp]

I would love to this but not fond of electricity lol

[@livannal.t.9068]

its also very very dangerous.

[@richardhoffman6428]

Why can't you use a welder or batteries

[@matthewrodriguez948]

kerf cutting

[@fmegg1519]

WARNING! This is an extremely dangerous technique. Dealing with 2000V and more does kill you on your first error. Period. This is not your typical 12V as the jumper cable might tell you. The U.S. woodworker guild banned their members from showing this, because of its dangers. Since 2017, more than 33 people died from this in U.S. only. Even disassembling the microwave comes with serious dangers, even when unplugged. Do not do this unless you are an expert on high voltages.. no DIY project is worth dying for.

[@AlpacaLaca88]

Shut up nerd

[@clarencegreen3071]

I would add that licensed or certified electricians may not have the skills or knowledge to deal safely with voltages in the thousands because they do not deal with voltages that high. High voltage electricity is a whole different area than, say, residential wiring.

[@acewilliams408]

It’s the amps that kill you not the volts. Trust me! Been hit with a stun gun more powerful than 2000V. Hurts but doesn’t kill you. Higher amps = electrocution.

[@fmegg1519]

@@acewilliams408First, people have died frum stun guns. Second, unlike something connected to the grid, a stun gun will only apply a tiny and finite amount of charge. Third, what you said is not corrwect. Electrical welding has thousands of amps but it is not life threatening. A balloon, that you rub on plastic has thousands of volts but is not life threatening. It takes some expertise to know what is and what isn't but the amount of deaths linked to the lichtenberg burning speak for itself.

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

What's your preference? Fire or electricity? And let me know how many of you decided to build your own Lichtenberg device!

[@Mrmatts227]

I’d like to see a sign with wood lettering that’s backlit with strip lights.

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

Noted, thanks!

[@Nicholas-tk5ow]

Baseball bat

[@pascopirate]

Old treasure box

[@BrianMiller-ci5bp]

My wife thinks it’s awesome

[@ThinkingBetter]

This is not a proper safe setup for Licthenberg burning. Get a pedal switch and place it away from the setup such that power is only applied when away from it and the pedal is pressed; and be alone when you do it. And cables used to charge a car battery are designed for high current but low voltage. The voltage out of a microwave transformer can be nearly 3,000 Volts and easily jump through air in any gap and kill instantly. The equivalent of those wood burns will happen in a human body if a body is in the loop and it doesn't take much of a mistake with such terrible setup. Actually our body is more conductive than the wet wood, so imagine much worse things happen inside your body much faster. Death is a split second away. That wall switch is completely useless when your body is executed and you can't move. A microscopic fracture on the insulation material of the wiring and clamp is enough to kill someone. Don't copy this guy and as a minimum, use a pedal switch that is enough far away that you never have power enabled unless you are out of reach, and for extra safety, you should put two of such pedal switches in series such that if one fail (get stuck), you will still survive!!!

[@kramnull8962]

Looks like he burned up a perfectly good 2x6. At least he got 8.8K views.

[@asapincome.RealEstate]

This is GREAT advice, seriously! Listen and read this for sure. Thanks for the detailed information! I no longer use this set up at all, as I was unaware of a number of these issues. Thank you!!

[@richardhoffman6428]

I don't understand why it is so dangerous? It is the same as arc welding

[@onyekaanyaora2556]

No it is not ,and it is extremely dangerous because this can kill at the instant,HV is what we are talking about kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5aTapxqf7Z0j9U this link will give you insight to dangers involved

[@emmanuelgrc4]

the amount of voltage used kills people really easily. you don't just get a little zap, that much voltage can burn off your hands or fingers. A small mistake and you're gone.

[@emmanuelgrc4]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHPIhH6Cbt-JqNE&ab_channel=bigclivedotcom

[@user-pu2ro8ok3r]

I have made a fractal wood burner with dual microwave transformer 4000V , and it works perfectly and safely. I will also teach my children to use it.

[@thyubernoob]

I'm not one to preach.... Just do your own research on the dangers of burning wood with this device...

[@Mbkelite]

I mean, I feel like it'd be nice if you kinda elaborate on this?