Thread: Lichtenberg pyrography

Originally Posted by Penpal

At our Annual Canberra Show in the woodwork section a very poor effort was shown, the judge apparently dismissed it as not fitting the section.

Peter.

Lichtenberg pyrography just like any other hobby can be done poorly or very tastefully, so in my opinion it's no different at all to using pyrography, inlays, engraving, etc, etc to enhance a product. I have a long way to go to become proficient at it, but the trick is to tease the current in the direction changes you want to really subtlety enhance whatever your working on. In America it's quite popular, although Yanks seem to favour using modified microwave transformers which I would consider way too dangerous to consider. On the penturners website they have some nice examples of which I've inserted a couple of pics from.

And yes you would never burn them with the tube in, the other minor hassle is you need to use a conductive solution as it tends to want to flit across the very top surface, but you then need to be able to neutralise the conductive solution as well without having any residue that can affect finishing coats.

Forgot to add, notice the incredible resemblance to the look of spalted woods? Of which I've never understood how wood that is partially rotted/fungus infected can make it dramatically more valuable than un-spalted (non-spalted?, whatever) wood, but there you go!

cheers, Ian