There is a technique using salt water (or Borax disolved in water) and high voltage and current that can create gorgeous patterns on wood. I am planning to try this at some point but all of my electrictronics experience is telling me to be very incredibly careful. A lot of people are doing gorgeous work with this but there have been some horrible accidents too - here is the most recent from the Walla Walla, Washington Union-Bulletin:
Local man electrocuted using dangerous wood art process
A Walla Walla man died from electrocution while attempting a dangerous technique for sculpting wood, authorities said this morning.
Robert Riggers, 47, died outside his home in the 1400 block of East Alder Street sometime Thursday night, according to Walla Walla County Coroner Richard Greenwood.
His death was reported to the Walla Walla Police Department around 3:37 a.m. Friday, according to police spokesman Officer Tim Bennett.
Riggers had been attempting to create a picture frame using a process called fractal Lichtenberg wood burning, Greenwood said. The process involves running an electrical current through a block of wood soaked in salt water, causing it to burn and fracture into unusual patterns.
Riggers, Greenwood said, had likely used the method before, as many pieces found in Riggers’ residence were apparently products of the technique.
While the process can create fascinating art, it is very dangerous, Greenwood warned.
Here is a video of the process - the action starts about one minute in:
I feel truly sorry for Mr. Riggers accident and his death but this is a known dangerous activity and there are safety procedures that can be taken.
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