Death from Fractal Burning!

[Roger Chandler]

There is a news item where a turner [the article says he was making a frame] was killed using the Lichtenberg Fractal Burning technique....see link below....

http://www.union-bulletin.com/local/local-man-electrocuted-using-dangerous-wood-art-process/article_daf59a2a-3420-11e7-8508-c7eb2f3dc175.html

[Brice Rogers]

Roger, that is simply "shocking"!!!! (Sorry, but i couldn't resist the urge from my dry sense of humor...)

[Roger Chandler]

Roger, that is simply "shocking"!!!! (Sorry, but i couldn't resist the urge from my dry sense of humor...)
No offense Brice. We had a demo on this very technique last month at Central Virginia Woodturners. Folks really need to be knowledgeable and really well setup and protected when using this. To my mind the results are interesting, but it is an embellishment that does not do much for my tastes.....I considered getting a unit, but decided against it.

[Ralph Lindberg]

The local club (Bremerton area) had a demo on this last month.
The local that did it spent at least 30 min talking about the dangers of this effort and mentioned the, well morons, on You-tube etc that are making their own with regular (600V test) wire and probes.

But like me, he has a real world experience in HV.

[Shawn Pachlhofer]

The Board of our local club has decided to not have demos on Lichtenberg burnings

[John K Jordan]

There is a news item where a turner [the article says he was making a frame] was killed using the Lichtenberg Fractal Burning technique....see link below....

http://www.union-bulletin.com/local/local-man-electrocuted-using-dangerous-wood-art-process/article_daf59a2a-3420-11e7-8508-c7eb2f3dc175.html

Thanks for that note. I know enough about electrical power to have been concerned that someone might be hurt with these things since I first heard about them. There is a LOT of current from one of the microwave oven transformers people tend to use.

A friend of mine has been using them for years for demonstrating power - blasting holes in things, exploding steel nails, spot welding. (He uses a face shield, welding gloves, and insulated footwear.) In high school a friend, very well experienced with electrical power and devices, woke up about after an hour or so about 5' from where he was "playing" with power. He had a concussion where he hit his head on the floor.

Like you, I have personally not been that excited about the results. I've thought it was a cheap fad that would soon go away. I'd rather carve or distress the wood by beating on it with something. :)

JKJ

[Jamie Straw]

Oh, this topic really gets my blood boiling. The main reason people are getting hurt/killed using Lichtenberg burners is because they are building them themselves, without enough knowledge -- often after watching the idiots on YouTube with their "how-to" videos. I have seen two in-person demos of this device, one by Carl Jacobson and one by our President, Larry Lemon. Carl uses the commercial burner by Conestoga Works (http://conestogaworks.com/woodburners.html). These burners have several safety features built in, and apparently buyers are told -- "If you're not comfortable using this machine, return it for a refund, no questions asked."

Mr. Lemon is a professional electrician and electronics expert. He built his own burner, but does not actively suggest that others do the same. He spent the first half-hour or more of his demo explaining electricity, how the machine works, and how dangerous it is. His safety features were extensive (highly insulated wires, dead-man's switch, "On" light to show when the foot pedal was pressed and current flowing, design features to keep hands away from the conductor, and more. He demonstrated the absolute care that must be taken when using the device, step by step, how to avoid any pitfalls.

YouTube: Really should take many of the DIY videos down, or be found liable for not doing so. I can't even watch them, because I'd spend all day typing angry comments. Evidently, they show people using skinny little wires, barely insulated, attached to microwave transformers, nails in wood, wires strung across the floor, absolutely no understanding of how dangerous the stuff is they're working with.

I'm hoping we'll have a video up soon of the club's demo, it would be good viewing for anyone interested in this embellishing technique.

[John Keeton]

I have seen Charles Waggoner of Conestoga Works demonstrate his machine in a live demo and I do agree it is well designed with appropriate safety features. However, this is an inherently dangerous technique simply because there is a risk that the user will, by inadvertence or otherwise, not follow prescribed procedures. Turning is also an inherently dangerous activity, however, the "degree" of potential injury is much different. My son who was an explosive ordnance specialist (EOD) in the military once told me the risk of injury was very low. My reply was - yes, but every injury involves instant death!

So...while the better made devises greatly reduce the risk, it is still present and usually with fatal consequences.

I guess the thing that deters me most is more about "once you have seen one, you have seen them all." The technique doesn't lend itself to much in the way of varying effects. Like JKJ, I see it more as a fad. Obviously others see it differently.

[Roger Chandler]

The unit from Conestoga Woodworks is the unit that I briefly considered. If I were to ever go with the Lichtenberg burning, it would be with their commercial unit. They have put together what is probably the safest system.....the microwave units are more dangerous. Still, I think the type of embellishments it produces are not up to the effect one gets from carving, texturing, or many other effects that are out there.

[David DeCristoforo]

It seems to me that a whole lot of fuss is being made over a “technique” that offers very little to begin with. Fractal burning is a random effect that requires no skill or artistry. It’s an interesting effect but that’s about it. Most forms of embellishment, pyrography, carving, piercing, the various forms of coloring and the art of actually creating images on the work, all require much more real artistic ability than sticking two electrically charged probes into a piece of wood. The first time I saw this, I was as interested as anyone but it’s a novelty in which one very quickly looses interest.


As to the dangers involved, there is, as Mr Keeton pointed out, risk associated with just about every human endeavor. It is incumbent upon the individual to decide if the risk is justified. The outcome of the fractal burning technique is, in my most humble opinion, not worth the risk.

[Alan Trout]

It seems to me that a whole lot of fuss is being made over a “technique” that offers very little to begin with. Fractal burning is a random effect that requires no skill or artistry. It’s an interesting effect but that’s about it. Most forms of embellishment, pyrography, carving, piercing, the various forms of coloring and the art of actually creating images on the work, all require much more real artistic ability than sticking two electrically charged probes into a piece of wood. The first time I saw this, I was as interested as anyone but it’s a novelty in which one very quickly looses interest.


As to the dangers involved, there is, as Mr Keeton pointed out, risk associated with just about every human endeavor. It is incumbent upon the individual to decide if the risk is justified. The outcome of the fractal burning technique is, in my most humble opinion, not worth the risk.

David, I could not agree more. If I had to worry about all the extremely dangerous stuff I do in my day for work and pleasure I would not get out of bed in the morning. I take appropriate precautions in my daily life and then live life to the fullest everyday. If fractal burning is your thing be careful and have fun.

Alan

[roger wiegand]

It seems to me that a whole lot of fuss is being made over a “technique” that offers very little to begin with. Fractal burning is a random effect that requires no skill or artistry. It’s an interesting effect but that’s about it.

Kind of like spalting, burl, crotch wood feathers, ray flecks in QSWO and curly figure in wood, eh?

[David DeCristoforo]

No, actually not like any of those. All of those are far more appealing natural characteristics of wood.

[Adam Petersen]

At least it is a pretty quick way to go. Silver lining? Go in the shop doing what you love. Going in your sleep would be my #2 after that followed closely by Death by Snu Snu!

(Insert tongue in cheek emoji)

[Thom Sturgill]

New AAW policy just announced (in part because of this death):

It is the policy of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) that the process known as Fractal Burning is prohibited from being used in any AAW-sponsored events, including regional and national symposia, and that AAW-chartered chapters are strongly urged to refrain from demonstrating or featuring the process in chapter events. Further, the process of Fractal Burning shall not be featured in any written or online AAW publication, except for within articles that warn against its use. AAW publications will not accept advertisements for any products or supplies directly related to the process.

[David Delo]

New AAW policy just announced (in part because of this death):

It is the policy of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) that the process known as Fractal Burning is prohibited from being used in any AAW-sponsored events, including regional and national symposia, and that AAW-chartered chapters are strongly urged to refrain from demonstrating or featuring the process in chapter events. Further, the process of Fractal Burning shall not be featured in any written or online AAW publication, except for within articles that warn against its use. AAW publications will not accept advertisements for any products or supplies directly related to the process.




Not wanting to appear as an ol fuddy-duddy or stick in the mud to artistic expression and creativity, I couldn't agree more with AAW's position on this subject.

[Wes Ramsey]

Roger, that is simply "shocking"!!!! (Sorry, but i couldn't resist the urge from my dry sense of humor...)

This is sad to hear, but I share your sense of humor. Not to diminish the gravity of this man's loss, but it does remind me of a thief that died of electrocution in Conway, AR several years ago stealing copper from an a/c unit. I was sad to hear of the death, but could not contain my laughter when the local paper printed comments from the local PD officer...Major Shock.

[Peter Blair]

Well said David. I see that the AAW agrees and does not support this process.