Lichtenberg Boards Without Death - CNC & Laser Engraved Lichtenburg Wood Burning Effect DIY Tutorial

[@theskyehiker]

#3 looks the best to me. The two on my right might have popped better with a lighter epoxy. But I understand why you stayed with blue.

[@matthewwarfield4302]

Have you thought of running the laser over it in multiple passes to gain depth? Say overall twice and then a third for just the main roots...

[@TotalBoat]

You would never be able to tell it wasn't real Lichtenberg boards! Great work!

[@MakeEpicThings]

They are close... but I think we can improve the raw vector we use on the laser, and use a consistent process to get near identical.

[@HappyTailsSupport]

Most people buying these designs don't even know how they're made. Hopefully you will save some lives or at least some extremities for the creators trying to sell their pieces as "authentic" death causing pieces.

[@vijfsnippervijf]

Looks all right, though lasers aren’t 100% safe either, especially at this power. They can burn your eyes if you don’t wear safety glasses or use an enclosed engraver.

[@harleyhaynes]

I am not arguing the cnc would not have as great a detail as a laser, but v-carving toolpaths in Vetric products is constrained by the vector. The bit will only go as deep as the outside vectors will allow it. It should not have lost that much detail. I have produced some very finely detailed projects using a 90-degree bit. If you want more depth, you can run the same toolpath with a 60-degree vbit. I think something was off with your settings, possibly, or that vbit or collet had a pretty bad run-out. ( possibly debris in the collet) That being said still a very cool demonstration and test.

[@josephstaup8868]

Conestoga Works makes a commercial unit that is alot safer. Microwave and neon light transformers are 9000 -15000 volt same for output. The one from Conestoga Works is a 12000 volt unit with only 35 mili amps. Alot safer, but slower and not as deep.

[@TheGreenHeartofItaly-fl3wv]

Great work on many levels. First, laser gives you the ability to actually apply some artistry. Lichtenberg, you fool with the probes, but basically you take what you get. Sometimes frankly, it doesn't look that great.

[@trishvenz4921]

I can't find your follow up video for this? 🙏🏼

[@RobSandstromDesigns]

Good experiment. I think it looks pretty good. Thanks for sharing the idea.

[@MakeEpicThings]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Download the zip file and give it a try yourself.

[@johndeaux9987]

very cool, thanks for posting the files - I'll have fun with those.

[@luisf9856]

So manly. Aaay💋💅🏾 "I'm scared of using a real burner"😂😂😂🎉so 😺

[@joeldwarika8356]

Excellent work.thinner cutting tool will add more detail and its safe,sadly I can't afford a cnc or laser engraver.wil just continue with the 'death trap' transformer.keep it up👍

[@MakeEpicThings]

Haha! Just keep it safe to stay on the right side of the grass.

[@Frankinsteinguitar]

No risk, no gain.

[@SS-gu2tx]

You are right! Go do it for real!

[@OnlyJalenPhd]

Is there any other method, other than laser? Burn paste, using these patterns?

[@mcoutu6849]

Could you do both methods with the same design to get the depth as well as the burning?

[@MakeEpicThings]

You could... but you would have to be deadly accurate when setting up the origin point for the CNC and origin point for the laser. Making sure they were both perfect 90 degree angles etc. It would be easy to mess up but sure worth a try!

[@nsmwoodcraft]

Wonder how it would look if you cut with a CNC and then ran the same file with the laser?

[@MakeEpicThings]

I had thought about that, but I feel it would be near impossible to line them up exactly (setting the exact origin point). Even off by 1mm would likely be obvious.

[@backtoobasics]

I have been pondering the incorporation of both tools to achieve the same outcome. Possible a multi tool cnc/laser (snapmaker style) to eliminate the setup zero point. I understand on a large scale it would be real difficult. Stsy safe and take care

[@MakeEpicThings]

@@backtoobasics If you do it, I would love to see the results. The multi-tool CNC/laser would likely be a good way to do it to avoid any setup point issues.

[@jonsaircond8520]

@@MakeEpicThings I bet if you added the print and cut it could be done. Basically gives you cross hairs to line up in lightburn

[@CraftedElements]

@@jonsaircond8520 That would be something to test for sure.

[@veterancustomwoodworx9858]

Great job

[@MakeEpicThings]

Thanks! Appreciate it.

[@mcoutu6849]

Search out dendritic agate!/quartz! This would look amazing done on an epoxy board to mimic dendritic agate or dendritic quartz

[@MakeEpicThings]

Will check this out...

[@mcoutu6849]

@@MakeEpicThings it is my absolute favorite stone! Same concept as doing it on wood, but a clear or marble look epoxy block with dendrites imprinted then another clear thin layer of epoxy on top would be so cool

[@legalizefreedom451]

Cool, how much did that CNC machine cost?

[@MakeEpicThings]

Its from Axiom CNC and I believe they are around $16K USD.

[@bengibson8528]

Could you use the "offset" feature to darken the edges on the laser boards to get the effect you're referring to?

[@duaneheda3236]

Can this be done with a 40 watt diode laser?

[@MakeEpicThings]

Duane. I honestly doubt it, the diode lasers aren't very powerful when compared to a CO2 laser. You could certainly engrave the design on the wood, but I dont know if you could get the depth required to be able to back fill the engraving with epoxy.

[@lennyreed4637]

How long did the laser versions took to burn?

[@MakeEpicThings]

1hr 42 for the large laser one, roughly 40 minutes for the 2 smaller ones.

[@andrewlloyd4702]

Not as good as the real thing.