Hey bro, be VERY CAREFUL ❗.A friend of mine lost her son trying wood frackin', and was electrocuted, he was only 14 yrs. I use to do it back in the early 1970's, but I KNEW EXACTLY what I was doing. I was only 10 or 11 yrs old at the time. And emphasize this, IF YOU/THEY THINK THEY KNOW, THEN THEY DON'T. Remember that a 'microwave' transformer can generate upwards of 20,000 - 30,000 volts, and the current will be DEADLY‼️. 🥺🥺🥺🤠🤠
Working on microwave ovens... the output winding has one side connected to the body of the transformer, which is why the one lead goes to the base. The reason for this arrangement has to do with the magnetron tube used for making the microwave radiation. The plate of the tube is also the body of it so the transformer, case of the oven and body of the tube can all be connected together and connected to the green wire on the plug. As long as the case is not removed, there is no shock hazard. But making a wood burning machine is pretty much the definition of a lethal shock hazard. When used as intended there is also a capacitor and a high voltage diode forming a voltage doubler to produce the voltage the tube needs with cheaper parts. While the cap has a built in bleeder, never trust it. The cap can have a 2600 volt charge on it, act accordingly when stripping an oven. There is also a low voltage isolated winding for the filament supply on the tube. Safe to ignore just don't short it. Wire... neon signs use wire with an insulation rating over 10,000 volts, that would be a good choice. Some RU-vid videos show people using car booster cables. Those are rated for at least 30 volts. Only advice If you come across one of those setups, stay far away and if you don't think the owner needs to die advise them to never plug it in. It might work for awhile but as soon as the insulation breaks down it might as well be bare wires.
All you people trying to sound smart are missing the biggest point and that's the amperage when your body is the conductor. Pretty much every way you build this will be safe. Until it isn't.
@@YoureNotSoSmartBro If you make yourself the conductor, the amperage is academic. It is quickly lethal. You are mostly salt water, same as the conductive material on the wood. Just picture that lovely fractile pattern going through whatever is between the two contact points on your body. Ps 120 volts can kill through burns but it takes a little while. The power is volts × amps. As V=IR the power increases with the square of the applied voltage ( P=V^2/R combining Ohms law and the power formula) so at 10 times the voltage, approximately, a microwave transformer should be able to kill 100 times faster. Permanent injury in maybe 100 milliseconds, if between hands and so across the heart probably death in that time. Do you think booster cables with a rated breakdown voltage of 30 volts are safe to block 1500 volts? How do you safely hold them while energized?
@@garygough6905 This is pretty much my point. Everybody seems to speak about this project like it's the transformer specs that need to be evaluated but nobody seems to consider what the specs are when you're part of the circuit. Nor do most of these people seem to understand that this transformer will cause it to keep supplying current until it's turned off or the circuit is broken. So if you become part of it you're going to be a part of it for way longer than it will take to kill you. Honestly anybody who holds on to their fractal wood burning tool while it's being used is an absolute idiot. This whole comment section, aside from like 2 people, is filled with stupid people and quite frankly the dude who made this video is worthless. It pisses me off that he does this with his kid.
@@lunarrn ac power is a sign wave that is only up at a set rate (cycle)… one will either have a single phase or 3 phase panel feeding a given piece of equipment. Each phase A/B (single phase really has 2 phases) or A/B/C in 3 phase is generating a sign wave like guns fire once each in a set pattern. So, a wire that is connected to phase A will never be at the same frequency as Wire B or Wire C…. This only matters to the equipment used or when sharing a neutral wire between phases. ( can be done but very dangerous for others if it’s not known) Imagine 3 base drummers hit at a 4/4 time…. Then, add a bell in between each drum beat…. The bell would be the neutral wire carrying the signal ( drum beat ) back to the ground for each phase.
It is unfortunate that people have died doing this. But it’s because they are uneducated on the process or they don’t use the proper safety precautions. But statistically that is not as bad as 1 person dies every 75 minutes from walking across the street.
The step up transformer steps up the voltage from 120V to7-8-9000 volts . #8 wire isn’t needed for this because it’s low amperage going through the wire. #14 or #12 is more than enough. It’s the type of the insulation that dictates the voltage the wire(cable) can handle. The size of the wire dictates the amperage it can handle. Most consumer wire only has 600 volt jacket (insulation )on it. You do need a high voltage insulation on the wire if you do this type of stuff to prevent leakage.
I love idiots explaining shit to other idiots in comment threads and the first idiot is always like "Bro thank you! Everything makes so much more sense now!" Let's just ignore the fact that there are books and entire studies published on electricity. I'll just take some random dude's opinion from the internet. This dude is completely wrong in this situation. Not to mention the amperage when your body becomes the conductor. And your dumbass sits there like "omg I understand now...."
Ive used DLO for large brake resistors coming off of 100 HP VFD's. Brake voltage is up to about 875-900V, if I remember right. Also, you need a good pair of leather gloves to put outside your HV gloves. it protects the rubber glove from pin holes..
Cool, I didn't know, to be perfectly honest any of that. I accept you as accurate, meaning what I thought I knew before, from I couldn't say where was exactly wrong. Most sincerely, I appreciate it
No disrespect but sharing this with green noobies will undoubtedly kill someone. Unless you are trained on handling live circuits, you are at risk! I am speaking to you as a 44 year electrician and I’ve seen a lot of dangerous shit. Be safe kids.
First comment I've seen with common sense lol! Also it's very clear that not only is he sharing it with the greenies but he's very green himself. Stupid people showing stupid people how to do things in the most stupid of ways. This darkhorse dude is the last person I'd ever listen to.
Videos like this were not available when I made my first burner. I built my first one 10 years ago and would have loved to have this video to help me out as a green noobie.
You clearly don't understand how electricity works, so you're definitely not the guy who should explain this to others. Some points: Switching live and neutral wire colors (though polarity doesn't matter in this case. Not understanding why there's a return path connected to the transformer HV side. Choose this wire cause the electrician said so. Screws connected to HV GND on the transformer possibly in contact with your metal workbench, which then also becomes dangerous to touch. Remember that GND will still be floating (not at 0V) and this case still lethal. etc. etc. You would do well to remove this video cause people in the comments are already copying this jank device, and possibly hurting themselves. Coming from an Electrical Engineer.
Ordinary rubber gloves are not high voltage rated rubber gloves. The transformer belongs in a properly rated plastic enclosure. The ethical thing to do is discourage people from this unimportant use of dangerously high voltage because it's just for making decorations. There are plenty of ways to play with wood but burning for some reason fascinates adults who should know better than to want this dangerous foolishness. Not everything cute is wise and the woodworking world did fine for thousands of years without it.
Interesting seeing the comments. Some are educational, but the ones that say " you're playing with fire", "this is dangerous", etc are pointless. It's like- thanks for letting everyone know electricity is dangerous.....i wouldn't have guessed....
I am an experienced engineer, and your setup and instructions are pretty safe. Engineers tend to complicate safety. But you cannot over-emphasize safety in this configuration. A microwave transformer is a death machine and can kill you. You are a good instructor.
Did you catch that the secondary is connected to the transformer frame, which is screwed into the mounting board, ALSO, that the other secondary lead (red) has a junction screwed into the same board? If you are saying "engineers tend to complicate safety", I seriously question your experience. Sorry bud.
@@TheGreenHeartofItaly-fl3wvI know that i am not very experienced. I am announced that through my videos. I do have to say that engineers do complicate safety. I just so happen to work directly with a bunch of them for the department of the army and other engineers from around the world. I appreciate your feedback back and thanks for supporting my channel.
@@darkhorsecreationswoodshop They are not "complicating" safety, they realize how far you have to go in terms of component reliability, safety by design, and many other aspects. "Safe" under non-real world conditions is not safe. And it takes a lot of work, what you call complications, to make MIL or medical or consumer gear safe in the real world under real world use conditions. Not everything is as simple as we would like. Still, decent job, you have at least made some of the really terrible hardware out there look as "rickety" as it is. But if you get more sensitive/knowledgeable about the other areas of accident probability (beyond the hardware itself) you will be doing the woodworking community a better service. Education never stops.
wow so i am assuming you hold those electrode leads in your hand when the burner is energized? Wow amazed you are still alive. The only safe way would be to clamp the electrodes to the wood, go back 20 or so ft and power the leads using a 2 handed dead mans switch. Then maybe it is safe.
I worked on high voltage valve equipment as a younger man and I'm telling you straight, I would NOT operate this device, the potential for self harm is outstanding. Using a wood screw into wood to clamp a connection is only the start. Please do not be insulted but be safe, this stuff will kill you and then cook your remains.
NOT a GOOD idea! I have over a decade of experience with Fractal buring using various transformers. Do not loop your "8 ga." wire out the top of your poly pipe! [it should be GTO wire actually IE Gas Tube Only], but the reason to NOT LOOP IT OUT THE TOP is when you spray your electrolyte solution [and you will eventually],, the fine mist/solution is invisible and there is a line of current that can easily jump from your nail probe to the top of the poly pipe. When that probe is constantly higher on the nail end side, the electrolyte solution will run down the poly pipe and YOU WILL GET A SHOCK! I am speaking from experience as I grabbed one gto wire several feet from the probe and got a small shock, then realized the spray solution [disolved in a salt after it dries and is invisible]. The 20kv gloves help, but lets face it, we dont wear them all the time. A "dead man" switch is good too, but when doing slabs, you must constantly keep moving the probes. IF YOU HAVE TO MOVE A PROBE when hot, do so with one arm and the other arm behind your back. That way the current is less apt to travel up your arm and across your heart to the other arm. If one arm, then the current would find "ground" more easily by travelling up the arm, then down the same side leg to ground, bypassing your heart [which is how peeps die]. A NEON LIGHT TRANSFORMER can save lives vs Microwave IMHO [30ma vs 500ma!][ BE SAFE
Glad you are still alive and kicking👍One other small tip is to use white pvc instead of black HDPE for your insulators. Black material contains Carbon Black and is slightly conductive. I can't remember if you are using a MOT or NST, but I would also stay away from the MOT's. You have a slim chance of survival if zapped with a MOT system, vs a better chance of survival with a NST. Also, the NST's do not create a flash burn when the two fractals connect. Kick some more ass!
These things are dangerous as hell . My friend built one had been using it for while this past weekend he was electrocuted by it he lost his thumb on right hand an index finger on left hand . So it's not worth it
That is unfortunate. I hope your friend is more careful in the future. I built one of these 10 years ago and have been making burnt wood and selling it. It's been worth it but I still have all 10 fingers.
Cars are dangerous as hell. Glass is dangerous as hell. Water is dangerous as hell. Alcohol is dangerous as hell. O2 is dangerous as hell. Tablesaws are dangerous as hell . A girlfriend finding someone else’s underwear is the most dangerous. See a pattern? It’s just like chemistry; everything is a poison. It’s all about length of exposure(amount ) and time of exposure(type of exposure) If you were dying of thirst in the desert, and someone handed you a bucket of ice, cold water, you would think you received, unless they held your head under the top of the water surface ; suddenly it’s more dangerous than the desert heat.
I use 4 mot’s for mine And a blower out of an old downdraft stove to suck the smoke outside through five inch dryer vent just a hobby for me. Nice work looks great
I would be hesitant about black polypipe, it is pigmented with carbon, so it is likely to not be as insulative as non pigmented, or colour dye pigmented pipe.
The guys your talking about is "Josh and Jason Destroy Everything". I found the same issues when searching for info on RU-vid, great job on explaining everything.
You are absolutely right. I should lean more about electricity before I try teaching others. I also claim to not know anything about it in the video. I post videos about specific things not the broad spectrum of electricity. So as I learn more about electricity or anything else I will be posting video. You are more than welcome to subscribe to my page and we can all learn together. If not have a blessed day. .
On the setup of the nail's personally I used heavy Guage pvc pipe and ran the wire through it but drilled a hole in the pipe at the end and ran the wire out of it to connect to the screws that I use but to hold the screws tight I made a dowel out of scrap wood to fit into the end of the pipe and ran the screws through the pipe and wood it holds them in quite well and I wrapped the end of the pipe completely with electric tape to avoid contact with the power
Thankyou just started my research to build my own and will be following your tick tock i have got a large j box to use to inclose the burner so that its safe
@@darkhorsecreationswoodshop Not being able to find poly pipe by the foot might be a regional difference on what's available. I've noticed hardware stores I've been to in different areas have different selections. I was surprised by the difference between home depot stores in different states I've worked in.
@@darkhorsecreationswoodshop look for PEX. Specifically look for (uphonor/wirsbo type A) cross-linked polyethylene tubing. If you get the type A, it can be heated to return it back to its original form after it cools. Also, for your connections, I would look into service box connectors for main panels; like the lugs that you use to connect ground, wires to grounding bars.
Just trying to help you out here nothing else so don’t think that. The black wire is the hot, white is neutral, ground is recommended for safety purposes. Machine looks good, keep up the good work and stay safe.
...good info...thanks...one thing...I don't know what your footswitch is rated for, but it will likely arc between contacts when opening and closing...that's the nature of AC. There may come a time when they weld themselves together and then it won't shut off when you remove your foot...I'd make sure I could get to the wall outlet easily to yank the plug if/when that occurs, or wire in a normally closed emergency stop switch... Stay safe, and thanks again... Matt
This is not even helpful advice and you're thanking him. The blind leading the blind. The world will be a better place if you idiots stick with this hobby.
big props for the focus on safety; this is "lucky to keep two fingers, and your thumb isnt gonna be one of them" levels of voltage. Good idea with the piping.
You're holding both leads in both hands at the same time. Better to mount one lead to the piece and use the other lead to prod, less chance of getting something through your heart (moisture on the pipe or hands), but I understand how much faster you can work holding both leads, it is increasing risk though. Your art looked amazing. You should know that after you mounted the high voltage lead with a screw through the plastic into the wood you lost all isolation protection the plastic under the mot provided. The only isolation from the earth is the thickness of wood under the screw. One end of the high voltage winding is attached to the core of the transformer. By sitting the tranformer on plastic and and mounting the lead to the wood through the plastic, you are isolating the output high voltage by the resistance of the plastic the transformer is sitting on and the wood. Its a good idea to mount the whole thing inside some thick plastic and get a lightbulb wired parallel to the primary so it is lit up whenever there is power, incase your foot switch ever fails (mots short circuited can draw over 15 amps and its unlikely your foot switch is rated that high and could fail closed circuit and you would never know its still live.
@@darkhorsecreationswoodshop Robert Murray smith makes the best video ive seen on the safest way to operate one. He uses 2 momentary push buttons in series and a parrallel light on the transformer primary indicating powers on. This ensures that you will never be in contact with the output (both hands have to be on the switches to activate power), the double switch is also a nice backup incase one fails closed circuit. Although if you never get careless, what you're doing in my opinion can work somewhat safely and has high speed and efficiency. I suggestested mounting one lead but that in itself might get you shocked because you have to move it more often with power off. Your chicken stick leads are long and you are never directtly touching the output, as long as your body never brushes up against the wood or gets wet... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EZ2CQMf1NRc.html
You did a pretty safe job. I’m a licensed electrician and have done this. Even me having knowledge and always working in hot panels. I am overly cautious and safer than I usually am even working in 277/480 panels. It’s an extreme output and can also sometimes retain energy even after unplugged. Thanks for explaining safety the best you can. It’s beautiful art but very dangerous art. Everyone be safe out there! You can never be too safe and don’t get in a rush just because it looks awesome!
@@derekiwi haha! Well first off . My clientele doesn’t request that I fractal burn for them. Secondly. I was simply saying that he was taking more proper precautions than most do. So don’t come at me questioning my professionalism as far as electrical work. You came here looking at fractal burning for a reason. Have you done it?
@@darkhorsecreationswoodshop it’s the internet. You will always have smart asses telling you how you can do things better. Most of them haven’t tried or researched. At least you post your work. I say piss on the haters. Do you and be safe man.
Will any microwave do? I have a small OLD microwave (It has dials!) - would that be too weak? Then I have a quite big one which turns on and runs BUT it doesn't heat anything up, so would that mean that it wouldn't work for this or does it just need to be able to run? Thanks!
Welding clamps like for a stick welder worked well for me. Sorry for blowing your comments up but this is one of my favorite things to to it’s my zin time lol I have a few on my tictok also but not a real big page
I have a 40 year old microwave which still works like a charm. I opened it up and it appears to have a small transformer and a larger one. Do I need both or will the larger one do the job?
...GFI outlets will work even without the ground wire attached...in older units, the "test" button won't work without the ground, but newer units have changed the circuitry so that it will... However, that will only protect you if you touch the input voltage side (120V)...the high voltage side is completely isolated through the transformer...👍
My burner has been cutting out (loosing power) after a short period of burning. The wires are all good & it doesnt seem to be getting too hot or anything i have noticed. Any suggestions as to why I am loosing power?
To be honest it could be a multitude of Things. It could even be the mixture of water baking soda you are putting on the wood. I had issues once because there was not enough moisture on the wood. When it comes to electricity, I am no expert. It could be the internal wiring to the outlet you are plugging it into. I have had that issue. My garage plug had really old wiring and would not push the current. It could also be the power source of the burner itself. I had one that would not burn at all. I hope this will steer you in the right direction. Good luck.
The wire used to connect neon tubes is 100% silicone and can withstand 15,000 volts at 50 hz 60 miliamps...called G T O wire any sign company can help you out
electrical current through baking soda water also makes hydrogen, highly flammable. glad your still here and I want to try it too. I'm thinking I'll go with some kind of clamps. don't want to be anywhere near that kind of voltage.
Hey man, I don't know if you haven't uploaded or if my RU-vid is messing up but when I go to your homepage I only see this video and one other one and nothing in any playlists or anything. Did you decide not to do this? Your video is by far more comfortably instructive when it comes to the setup and safety and I was looking forward to following your instruction with my own device. I'm glad someone posted the name of the Creator who made the husky box so I can go check them out but I was really looking forward to seeing more videos about this from you. I understand life is hectic at times especially when you have kids like you do and sometimes you're interested just change or something falls through so if you are planning to upload videos and just haven't done it yet then I apologize for being impatient but if you're on the fence about whether or not you should upload more videos I would encourage you to do so because someone like me who has never done this before but wants to do it safely and properly could get a lot of good information that may even save a life from someone who knows what they're doing. Thanks for all your effort. I appreciate it.
Man I appreciate your words of encouragement. I do plan on getting more videos on there. And I’m not trying to make an excuse, but there has been a lot going on. I promise I will have a video up shortly and I do appreciate your comment. It puts me back on track. Everyone needs that from time to time so I do appreciate it. There will be a video shortly I promise.
I loved the video, brother. Have been intrigued by this method of wood burning and have been wanting to learn. Looks a bit intimidating. I subscribed to your channel, and I am looking forward to seeing more. One thing u didn't answer, tho. Where exactly did u get the 8 gauge wire? U said don't buy your run of the mill hardware store 8 gauge. Did u buy it from an electrician? Keep up the great work, brother.
You don't need 8 gauge wire because the current on the high voltage side is only a couple of amps, at most. 12 or 14 is more than big enough. However, what you do need is wire with high voltage insulation. This whole thing is very dangerous. Since 2016, at least 33 people have died using such devices, and every one of them thought they knew what they were doing. Think about that!
So im finally burning, i just tried salt water, my question is how to get bigger deeper burns is it the solution or the denseness of wood, or should i leave it burning longer whenever the two burns contact each other?
Honesty I have never used salt water. I use baking soda and water. The type of wood does make a difference. The more dense it is , the harder it is to burn. I will coat the wood multiple times through the burning process until I get the burn that I want. I do leave it on there longer for deep burns. I try to connect the burns through the grain of the wood. Its almost like the electricity has a better connection through the grain channels. Keep working with it and be safe.
Hi again, it's Richard. Last week you where very kind in getting me the info off your transformer. I looked it up and found it on the internet to purchase. My dilemma is it has a few wires on the output and don't know which one to use. I want to do this right. Can you help me with this? Thanks !!!
For the output I have 2 8 gage wires that I bought from an electrician. One of them is connect to the body of the transformer. There should be 2 male prongs on one side of the transformer. That is where you have connect the plug for the outlet. On the other side there should be one male prong. The other output is connected to it with a red wire. Tied into the 8 gauge wire that runs down to the nail. There is going to be a bunch of little red wires that are useless. I cut them off and the ground wire.
Bro if you don't know how to take this out of a microwave from goodwill then you probably don't know how to do this in general. Just sayin. It literally will electrocute you to death. The only things that will stop the current when you get hit is you falling away from it because you died or got lucky and just fell. Because your body will cease up and you can't move. It will kill you if you have no clue.
Dude, take yourself on an electronics course, learn the basics of circuitry and electrical engineering, and don't touch this thing until you understand just how lethal that contraption is.
my transformer has the the 2 red wires 1 white wire. Do i cut the whitr wire off or attach it to the base of the trsnsformer? Great video thanks for sharing
I would attach the white wire to the base. It sounds like to me that is your power wire. The little red wires. I had some of those as well and I cut those off.
You mentioned not using the green grounding wire. If I were to connect it, would the burner still work, or would it disable the burner?? Also, you could try to reduce your investment for the polypropylene tube by selling two pieces of it in 2 or 3 foot lengths.
Poly is not even expensive and you come here like "Hey bro. You should cut corners on this electric chair." Of course a dude named paganwizard that lives in fucking neverland would say some dumb shit like this. Welcome to reality. Dude thinks he's pagan 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 maybe stick with world of warcraft and having mommy wipe your ass there bud.
Keep it out of reach from other family members and use some dead man switch or pedals at distance ensuring your hands are never near this voltage. Never trust your gloves as such voltage can easily jump through a microscopic damage and kill you. Professionals dealing with such lethal voltage will use certified gloves that are checked regularly with special equipment.
@@darkhorsecreationswoodshop Yes, complacency is what kills people in this hobby. I hate to see videos of people playing Russian roulette with this hobby such as relying on some consumer gloves that some day easily can fail e.g. if some chemical touches it or even a needle or some spiky nail pricks through it. Trusting a rubber glove to keep 1000s of volts from the skin is like trusting a condom to be 100% reliable. But having an extra baby is less harmful and sort of opposite of getting killed.
Hi there, if you´re still looking for the guy with the black toolcase I guess it could be BruceBurns Woodshop - he also improved the concept with a dead man switch
at 71 and being the "dark horse" all my life I have been playing with this type of thing for awhile. But I am still having a duce of a time getting my burns to go across the grain like I want them to. I have tried graphite traces, scoring, small steps (which is hard with the transformer). I get it done but would like to have a bit more control.. Got any ideas? Just thought I would ask.. "dark horses" always know the secrets.. But hardly ever share them..
I have been doing a lot of research of the same thing. I have not tried it yet but I am going to. I have seen a lot of people only wet the wood where the want it to burn. They are designing a lot of different shapes and even faces when they do that. I have been meaning to try it. Just haven’t had the time.
@@darkhorsecreationswoodshop Thanks.. That it kind of what I have been doing to make just the burning around the perimeter of a block of wood so that folks can make signs inside of the borders.. Just wet the section I want to burn.. but that cross grain thing really gives me mixed results. Well, I guess I will just continue to play with it.. thanks for the help.
I do alot of wood work . I have a wood working shop . I burn alot of the things I build with a torch. I would like to chat with you so I will know how to burn with electricity. Maybe I can give you some tips on burning with torch.
Thank you. But you know what is amazing to me. There is a bunch of people on here. That actually waste there time to write something negative on someone page. Thinking your opinion is a concern of mine. But in all actuality you need to find a better hobby of trying to put people down. What I do on my page is to educate and motivate. Not try to belittle people because that is what strokes your ego. So to you my friend, I would hope you subscribe and if I do have questions or if there is something that would make woodworking easier on my behalf or anyone else you would be there like any other respectable woodworker. Or if you chose to not subscribe. I hope you have a blessed day. And stay classy.
I threaded my nails for the contacts and put a metal wire connector crimped on the end of the wire and put a nut on the nail the my wire connector with a hole on the one end I put it on the nail over the nut then another nut on top and tightened it down. Works perfectly I don't know what the connectors I used are called
I originally started with a neon transformer I bought off Amazon. And it didn’t have any power. That’s why I built one. Is there a specific neon sign transformer you use.