Dave Feder built a kayak and burned it. He also made countless tables, stools, benches, wine-bottle racks, cigar boxes, bowls, and plates and burned them all. And yet he has much more to show for his efforts than a heap of wood ash. He burns his woodworking by wetting it with an electrolytic solution—baking soda and water—and clamping a pair of electrodes to it. With a flip of a switch, electricity flows through the solution-soaked fibers and the heat it generates slowly burns out across the wood. If it sounds dangerous, it is. Dave notes, “I am playing around with 2,000 volts, so inherently the whole process is potentially lethal. It is fun, though.” The burnt wood takes on the same fractal patterns that lightning makes between clouds and earth, but while nature’s lightning is a fleeting bright white flash, Dave’s lightning leaves charcoal-black scars of equal beauty.https://youtu.be/9L0qhcfkckgThe tree-like patterns of electrical discharge were first created in 1777 by Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, a German physicist. He generated static electricity to create a discharge across a glass plate where a fine powder of sulfur and red lead was attracted to the paths of the electrical current. The tree-like patterns are known as Lichtenberg figures.
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Great looking kayak, Dave!
2000 volts, yikes!!! What do you use to generate the power for the burning process?
Thank you.
The most commonly used power source is a transformer stripped out of a microwave oven. This is a very dangerous hobby. People have died from being electrocuted while trying this process. I strongly advise caution and to not do this unless you have experience working with electricity and follow safety practices.
Dave,
Great Job on the Kayak. I do believe the Lake in the background is Lake Galena. I also like the Safety Reminder for peace of mind.
You have taken Kayaking to the next level!!!!!!
Andy L.
Your Greenland paddle looks a little wider than most. Is it your own design as well? Nice work.
So cool! My father was a high-voltage electrical engineer and he made these in Lucite blocks. He studied lightning. He knew what he was doing.