Thread: Query: how to burn a line

For smaller diameters in particular, the highest speed available (or the highest that you dare) is generally best. Key to burning is surface speed, after all. The slingshot sounds like a great idea; thanks, Gil. I suppose a coping saw / fret saw or a hacksaw would also work well as a holder, like Barry suggests.

I think I'd avoid flat-wound electric guitar strings, as too easy to dislodge the thin winding; round-wound probably OK.

Joe

Piano wire works well also if you can find a piano tuner to ask for some.
I have 2 lengths of different diameters and have put a wooden handle on each end.

Ern, one more idea if you havent tried it yet would be to increase the speedto around 2000 rpms and push harder.I use a skew-made groove most of the time and lots of pressure.tm

This is what I was trying. Designed for cutting PVC pipe in awkward places.

A slingshot mount would help increase the pressure I imagine.

Hey Ern, try using an offcut of the redgum sharpened to a point.
Make the groove with a tool, skew, parting tool on its side etc & then push the pointy bit of wood into the groove & hold it there til it burns.

Steel fishing trace works well

Thanks again guys.

The job's done but the thread is bookmarked for next time.

DJ's bit of redgum has had me bouncing around all afternoon on the end of the Proforme handle. Thankfully the worm holes mean I can call it rustic and not sweat too much about the craftsmanship. Will post a pic after she's slurped some DO.

John, the Great Helmsman was Mao. 70% good socialist they now describe him as.
[PS, the wormy blank was my choice btw, not DJ's]

Originally Posted by rsser

Reversed the blade to open the groove up a bit and yep, it did some shredding.

rsser, aren't you supposed to try something you've never done before on a piece of scrap before you bugger up your fine piece? Felt tipped pen? Clever!

I tried the formica thing on a piece of scrap with varried results. Will try the guitar string (with handles of course). Picture hanging wire sounds like it might work well.

Note to all: I know we are all grown ups here. I'm normally not the type to caution, but if using wire or such, it would seem obvious that you should NOT wrap the wire around your finger for holding the wire. This has the potential of slicing your finger clean off, should the wire get caught in the piece. Makes for a bad day. rsser, your PVC wire with loop ends was meant for low speed work. I'd be afraid that a lathe could turn that tool into something nasty. YMMV.

Rance

Rance, ye sits best not to wrap the wire round yr fingers, the problem i had that day was that the loose ends got wrapped around the work and took off. I have used this technique a lot and now i hold the guitar string over the end of my fingers and close tot he work, supporting it and make sure i keep the loose end well out of the way. It works better holding it close, burns better and i have better control over the burn. there have been no problems with this for some time.

Yes piano string would be as good as guitar ones, possibly better as they are longer have different sizes etc.

As for the flat wound vs round wound thing, the rougher the better for grip and ease of burn. The only string degradation i have noticed is that after many dozens of burns they can become a bit smooth with the burnoff blackening the string.

Rance, yep, trial and error is a good idea. Happens I've become pretty good at recovering from error. Any case that was bowl no. nnnnn, or so it feels.

And thanks for the headsup; the thing was too long to use the handles in any case and I know about lathes and what they can wind up and wind off

rsser give me a line ill grab skew and we ill drop over i just dont know wy it isnt working for you ?

Hi Ern

I too use discarded guitar strings, but I've put little wood plugs on the end, so I don't damage my paws

I put the wire where I want the burn, starting pretty much straight out and then pull down towards the lathe at both ends. The pull and lathe speed determines how deep and how black.

Cheers

Robynmau

Ern
did wendy give you permission
to use the term "Rustic" !
I use old binding wire.

This is the bowl. A cleaner top groove would have given a better result with the felt tip pen but I can live with it.

Thanks for the offer Rodent.

Peter, any more bowls like this and I'll have to license the term.

[Edit: 25 x 8 cm]