The microwave transformers are what gets people killed, using a neon sign transformer is a lot slower but the voltage won't send you flying, they're better for detail work too imo. The microwave units immediately set the wood on fire and you lose a lot of the fine filigree.
Yeah I mean as long as you respect what you're doing it's pretty safe. You set the leads into the wood (I tap finish nails into the end points) and then make sure you have some mechanism where you can turn it off immediately with a button and you can watch from a distance.
I've been wanting to try it out for burning patterns into guitar bodies. The first thing that came to mind was using a sewing machine foot pedal as an on/off switch on the mains input side, since it would sort of double as a deadman switch. Well, that and some kind of current limiter across the output windings so you don't immediately eat shit if you manage to short the leads (e.g., putting them too close together or getting your solution/electrolyte mix wrong).
OK, that and dummy thicc lineman's gloves and coveralls. I wouldn't want to go near one of those contraptions (not even my own) unless I were kitted out to go climb an electric pole.
I just use a surge protector since I kinda DIY'd the neon sign transformer to work for what I was doing. There are transformers you can buy that are kitted out to do this specifically but they're more expensive.
Sad to read the stories of people that have died doing this :( They look so nice but it's so dangerous!
The microwave transformers are what gets people killed, using a neon sign transformer is a lot slower but the voltage won't send you flying, they're better for detail work too imo. The microwave units immediately set the wood on fire and you lose a lot of the fine filigree.
Ooh good to know, I'm still definitely too terrified of anything high voltage (maybe not high voltage if it's with a neon sign transformer) to try it.
Yeah I mean as long as you respect what you're doing it's pretty safe. You set the leads into the wood (I tap finish nails into the end points) and then make sure you have some mechanism where you can turn it off immediately with a button and you can watch from a distance.
I've been wanting to try it out for burning patterns into guitar bodies. The first thing that came to mind was using a sewing machine foot pedal as an on/off switch on the mains input side, since it would sort of double as a deadman switch. Well, that and some kind of current limiter across the output windings so you don't immediately eat shit if you manage to short the leads (e.g., putting them too close together or getting your solution/electrolyte mix wrong).
OK, that and dummy thicc lineman's gloves and coveralls. I wouldn't want to go near one of those contraptions (not even my own) unless I were kitted out to go climb an electric pole.
Edit: Your desk looks awesome, by the way.
I just use a surge protector since I kinda DIY'd the neon sign transformer to work for what I was doing. There are transformers you can buy that are kitted out to do this specifically but they're more expensive.