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Fame Shock News

fractal burning machine

Author

Olivia Hensley

Updated on August 08, 2026

Microwave oven transformers operate with alternating current and are commonly used in the process of fractal wood burning as they are generally easy to access. They can generate extremely high voltage ranging between 1000 and 15,000 volts (V), which can create a fatal current of 500 to 2000 milliamps (mA).

What do you use for fractal burning?

The “fractal burning” technique creates lightning-like etchings by using jumper cables and disassembled microwave oven parts to run high-voltage electricity through a piece of wood soaked in a chemical solution.

Can you use a welder for fractal wood burning?

You already know that you can’t do fractal wood burning with a welder. Because a welding machine will not give you the power that is needed in a wood-burning process.

What is the best wood for fractal burning?

The best 5 woods for fractal burning are cedar, oak, maple, walnut, and olive. There are 3 things in wood that determine the best results from fractal burning. The density of the wood, the tightness of grain, and the grain pattern.

How do you burn fractal wood at home?

Mix 2 tbsp (29 g) of baking soda into 1 US qt (0.95 L) of water. Fill a bowl or container with tap water and set it near your work station. Stir in 2 spoonfuls of baking soda—this will help the wood conduct electricity, and will help you choose where your fractal designs will go.

What can I use to make a Lichtenberg machine?

You can use a microwave transformer to build a machine that will produce Lichtenberg figures.

What transformer is best for fractal burning?

Clearly, the neon transformer is the better way to go, which is fortunate because it also produces better looking fractal patterns.

How do you make Lichtenberg figures at home?

Make Lichtenberg Figures the Original Way
Place a sharp metal point in the center of the sheet of plastic. A nail is a good choice. Zap the metal object with static electricity. Electricity travels through the metal and across the plastic insulator. Blow powder over the surface of the plastic sheet.

What is a Lichtenberg generator?

Lichtenberg generators are often promoted as wood-burning devices that are intended to create art or abstract objects. They rely on high-voltage electrical currents to produce patterns, a technique called fractal burning.

What is a Lichtenberg machine?

Fractal burning, also called Lichtenberg, is a process that creates images such as these on wood using high-voltage electricity and a conductive solution. Fractal burning is continuing to wreak havoc, causing a death and three severe injuries in two unrelated accidents in the past two months alone.

How do you burn wood like lightning?

It’s called lichtenberg and involves running a high-voltage charge through specially treated wood. As the charge burns from one contact to another across the wood, it creates a lightning or tree-shaped burn that branches out across the wood.

What is wood burning art called?

Pyrography or pyrogravure is the free handed art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks resulting from the controlled application of a heated object such as a poker. It is also known as pokerwork or wood burning.

What do you need to electrocute wood?

You need to make sure that you are able to lower resistance. This will help electricity to flow through the wood better. You can do this by using a thin coat of water. Water alone though is not a great conductor and that is why you need to add either baking soda or salt in it.