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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

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burning line comparison *LINK*

Posts

burning line comparison *LINK*

#1

burning line comparison *LINK*

Dick Coers

John K. Jordan posted a while back about his technique for burning lines on the tapered surface of a top. I suggested using a sharpened edge of high pressure laminate to do the same thing. He sent me a sample, wood, and even some piano wire. If you check the picture, you'll see his technique provides a finer, more crisp line. I used a sample of his dogwood. It's very hard and it abraded the edge of the laminate as the friction grew. I kept almost no pressure on the laminate, and really cranked up the lathe speed. No comparison to the quality. The one point I think I did win with, is that I didn't have to do a second cut like he does on his technique. But if you really need a fine crisp line, use the link below.




http://www.woodcentral.com/woodworking/forum/turning.pl/pro/search/pmd/sread/srchid/13470CUJJbKiq7VG3YkV1453503852/spage/1/sanc/490442/sbid/2000/md/read/id/490437/sbj/friction-burning-on-a-slope-with-a-wire/

Re: burning line comparison *LINK*

#2

I cheat ...

Geoff Whaling

Dick, I went back & read JKJ's post, great idea.

The extra steps required for JKJ's tip makes it not so great for production. I cheat - I make a small Vee cut with the tip of a skew & a sharpie pen. With varying results I have also experimented with nails and nail punches, center punches etc to make the burn lines on steep surfaces such as tops.

It seems that the object being pressed into the spinning wood also has to retain heat to make it a crisp & successful burn line. Anything that acts like a huge heat sink doesn't seem to work so well & takes longer to produce results. Should get serious one day and experiment.

Re: burning line comparison *LINK*

#3

Re: burning line comparison

Dick Strauss

Did you sharpen the laminate to a point? That makes for a finer line. If you leave the laminate wider, it rubs on more wood and leaves a wider line.

Re: burning line comparison *LINK*

#4

Re: I cheat ...

John K Jordan

> great idea.... not so great for production.

Thanks!

Fortunately I'm not interested one bit in production. That sounds like work. :-)

Besides, I'm so slow at turning that I could probably make upwards of $1 an hour, maybe $2/hr on a good day.

I do keep getting offers to go back to work as a consultant but I'm happy feeding the animals, pounding on the piano, and playing in the sawdust. Life is good!


JKJ

Re: burning line comparison *LINK*

#5

Yep, sharpenend to a point

Dick Coers

The line is narrower than the laminate is thick, but, the dogwood is so hard it was difficult not to almost instantly burn off the thin laminate.

Re: burning line comparison *LINK*

#6

the dogwood is so hard

John K Jordan

Dick, I forgot what you said - had you turning dogwood before? If not, how did you like the way it turns? It is hands-down my favorite local wood for small turnings. It cuts so cleanly and holds fine detail ALMOST like boxwood.

The dogwood I've been using now has been drying for years but I'm starting to run low in the smaller squares! Fortunately I have more stacks drying on the shelf and more in logs waiting to be processed into blanks.

Did you get a chance to try burning with the wires? I've tried various wires and sizes and that is my favorite. (If anyone wants to try them I can easily mail a few - send an email. I don't have an infinite supply but certainly enough to share. The post office might wonder why I'm mailing an envelope that seems empty!)

JKJ

Re: burning line comparison *LINK*

#7

Re: I cheat ...

Geoff Whaling

I reckon I work for about -$50 ph. If I worked the hours I put into wood turning as overtime I would be much better off financially but definitely not as content.

John, enjoy the animals looks like a nice day for it.