DEADLY DIY
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- čas přidán 10. 11. 2022
- Fractal wood burning is a new DIY craze...it's also very, very dangerous. Please watch, learn and share this video to help protect our DIY family.
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I love that quote
"If you dont understand elcetricity, dont try this at home. If you understand electricity, dont try this at home"
Spreading fear. Im an electrition and if plug it in to a GFI plug you cant die. I install them for a living.
This is crazy I seen this one day on you tube and thought it was awesome. So me and my husband tried it. We did hundreds of piece just like this one. They all turned out beautifully. Little did I know 3 years and 2 weeks of our wedding anniversary we decided to do a mirror frame for our room. We burnt 2 pieces and he was finishing up. For some reason I didn't go outside with him. On the last piece something went wrong and it killed him. I never thought this would happen to us. So if your reading this don't try this yourself please spare yourself the pain of losing someone you love or yourself.
Oh, sorry dear. Thanks for the warnings.
My son died 2018 doing this
Something I think he forgot to, that I believe the coil still holds energy for a little while, even after it is disconnected,
I have actually been thinking about buying a ready built kit , they are around thousand dollars so I see, from the US,
You can create some beautiful pieces of art , but if it all goes wrong at the price,
Very decent of you to warn folks. Sadly, "teenagers" think it won't go wrong for them, that they are indestructible. Some folks never get beyond being teenagers, for better and worse.
I'm so so sorry for your loss
im a union electrician, at our last meeting they announced one of our brothers was electrocuted with one of these at home in front of his 10 yo son. they are not something to be messed with
Thank you. I just saw a fractal burning video and got all jazzed. You just scared the crap out of me. Thank you for keeping it real.
Jim, this hits close to home for me because my neighbor's son electrocuted himself doing this, but he survived and is now like an infant, Thanks so much for sharing this.
SO AWFUL!
As a retired USN radar tech, and 20 years in power generation and conditioning, this IS the best don’t try this video yet. I saw this on CZcams, and thought, wow!. The next thought was how many people will die trying this. I planned retirement with a money making hobby of woodworking. This is an idea I plan to try. The difference is experience. I know and have (not intentionally) felt the power of electricity. The radar was a 1M watt pulse and 6K watt continuous transmitter. Your home is 1-1.5K watt. I will be using a step switch and a 2 position “deadman’s” switch. The 2 posit is 1 you squeeze just enough. To hard, opens. Not enough, opened. Love your SAFETY attitude.
3 position dead man is industry standard.
Thank you Jim. I'm an Electrical Engineer and totally understand and agree.. This is a dangerous act..
So that means even if you are a licensed electrician or a certified electrician, and even if you have the credentials to do electrical work - doing this DIY fractal burning can still kill you or fry you! Scary enough!
@@charlessmith263 it can be done safely but if you need to watch a video to know how to do fractal wood burning there is a very high chance of death or severe injury
@@charlessmith263 An electrical engineer stands a better chance than a certified electrician, because they are more trained to deal with more unusual field strengths and shapes. Some electricians might have a pretty good feel for how the field intensity changes and can jump around, but really, the even in higher voltage industrial environments, and high voltage distribution systems, all of the gear and hardware is designed and carefully tested to make the electricians job as safe as it can be. But these DIY rigs on a board and workbench throw all of that out the window.
And it's not right to say electrical engineers would in general be a little more aware than electricians, because even though they have a lot more theoretical knowledge, once you leave school and specialize in one of the forms of electrical engineering, there is a very good chance you will never have a chance to get practical experience in this particular high voltage area. There are probably a lot of linemen who have seen downed power lines who have a better practical understanding of the forces here and how they act.
The problem is the current is going to find the easiest path. That "easiest path" is always changing as it burns. That's why the patterns go the way they do. One little slip, and that path locks on to the very good conductance of all kinds of tissue, and you are internally lichtenberged to hell.
@@charlessmith263 Most people who die in plane crashes are pilots (usually private). Most people who die in electric accidents are professionals working with electricity every day. Yes, it goes without saying.
thank you so much, you saved my life, I saw many fractal wood making videos and was planning to try it at home, but after I saw your video, I immediately canceled it.. thank you, you're a real hero.
Me and my buddies in middle school used to take apart microwaves we found in dumpsters and use the transformers to make arcs and impress our friends. How were all still alive is a miracle
Cause they are pretty hard to electricute yourself if you are careful. Especially if hooked to a GFCI plug. Dont listen to this Trump supporter.
2,800 volts is termed EXTRA HIGH VOLTAGE in electrical transmission, Jesus! See just yesterday i had bought my second microwave transformer but there's this something about this warning about "HIGH VOLTAGE" marked on it that didn't add up cos the real output is not given 😮. An alarm in my mind kept telling me to check out CZcams on safety and operation info on microwave transformers and magnetrons and ho! I don't know how much to say THANKS JIM for your efforts. Because i have really been curious and you saved the trouble of testing that voltage with a multimeter! I am an electrician and boy is that voltage high! Thank you! Thank you! God bless you abundantly.
I almost tried this yrs ago when I saw the CZcams videos popping up. I'm so so so glad I didn't have the space or time to try it out.thanks for the video and heads up
Thank you for posting , good info
Classic. Thank You.
Thank you. More of these PSA’s need to be done on the silly stuff
Ps I’m sharing this to my FB and other social media platforms
Great! Cause I'm using one of those transformers as a heavy door stopper 😅
Best video on this topic ever! Lots of helpful facts, and thank you very much… lives saved…
I liked your videos . People need to understand this can be very dangerous.
Very relevant and useful. Thanks.
I never did this, I never intended to do this, and I didn't even know fractal wood burning was a thing. But the "this is deadly" videos came up in my recommendations before any "how to do this" videos. Thanks, algorithm!
This is the best video I've seen. Good job!
Wet good explanation with the hose and water man!!! Spot on
Yeah Jim when I saw this fractal burning wood I wanted to do it so badly but I was always afraid to try it. Now I'm definitely afraid to try it. You just told me some things I didn't know about this I'll just be looking at it from a distance on the CZcams videos.
Looks like a pretty good design Jim and I don't blame you for sharing any more details, especially in this age of stupid lawsuits. If I recall right, it only takes 5/100ths of an amp across the human heart to stop it. That ain't much. I would suggest one more piece of safety gear which is a pair of linemen's gloves which I know are not cheap, but what is one's life worth? All the best to you and yours!
Great Public Service Announcement. I’ve seen this an thought it looked dangerous as hell. Please listen to what Jim is say. Someone loves you. I don’t, but someone does.
My nephew is currently in major city Medical Center Burn unit. More than likely will lose both hands because of trying this DIY. Entirely preventable but his life is changed forever.
VERY good advice Jim. I am a crafter, and these fractal devices make the coolest patterns. I could do lots of neat stuff with one of em. But Im not going to. Not even with a hundred safety switches. I have known people who got electrocuted. Electricity is very useful. Necessary even. But IT CAN KILL YOU. And once it accomplishes that, youre dead. I respect electricity. And am scared as hell of it. As much as I want one of these fractal burners, im not getting one. I ride motorcycles, and race stock cars. Im taking enough chances doing those two things. 😎❤👍
Jim, also, I wish you would have been at Fabtech in Atl. Could have used some advice on which new red tig machine to get.
Thank you
Too bad that safety switch isnt gonna release when that amperage makes your hand muscles constrict and turn your hands into one heck of a kung fu grip. Ya aint letting go! So much for that hand held safety switch.
(Deep dramatic sigh)....get the cotton out of your brain. The foot switch is for that. The safety switch for each had helps assure you hands are not in places they shouldn't be.
@@DoRiteFabricationhave you read the multiple comments of people talking about their loved ones dying trying this? Clearly not a remotely safe thing to be doing at all, foot switch or not.
good video, I'm glad you're more active with the videos
Thanks brother!☮✌🏻
good advice ...
Thanks.
It would be cool if someone made a shop where you could program in or remote control the design. Remove them entirely from the high voltage system.
Really good video and great advice, I just really wish after you preached about safety and how dangerous this to do at the end of the video you didn't do the fractal burning on top of a metal table. The electricity could've easily traveled to that table top. Always take precautions, other then that great video.
That table likely is grounded well.
Thank you so much for spreading the word about how dangerous it is! I had all of the materials ready and just needed to put them together. I am not going to try his anymore.
Something that I think he forgot to mention, I believe when it is first turned off that the coil still hold energy,
You can produce some beautiful pieces of art by using this device , I have been thinking about purchasing one that comes as a complete kit from the US, I believe it’s around $1000, I live in France, so there’s going to be extra, But like he says if it goes wrong, you will not know anything about it, good luck and stay safe,
is there another way to actually do this safely or not? As in without a microwave transformer. I have been looking and can't find another way. ideas?
I'm curious what that table is made of because it looks like chalk and is noticeable. Kinda be fun to teach things.
If you build one of these the biggest change I would make is use a neon sign transformer instead of one from a microwave. Much lower amperage. Installing all the extra safety precautions described in this video is still a must.
You can use other transformers as well. Oil burner, neon sign transformer. I've been doing this for the past five years and respect my machine and take all the precautions I can.
Jim, you can't fix stupid but I commend for a valiant effort. Let's pray you get your point across. Merry Christmas to yoou and your family.
My 1st litchenburg machine was a diy. I followed CZcams, after many many videos, encased, enforced and followed men like this. Years later I STILL take extra precautions. If you think an art form is a "easy-throw together" process, plan your obituary. Do the homework, follow the pros. And always, always follow men like this. Your life depends on this.
Good to know............the more you know the safety is better.
I been kick my 240v a couple time, 30 years ago. Lucky I didn't get killed. Great vid mate. Cheers Graham
Great video! I did make one years ago & built it with several "safety" protections. But it only take one laps of total control to KILL YOU!
3:58 The reason for the label "Do not open" it's regarding it's condenser / capacitor, whatever you wanna call it. Even tho it has a 1-2mohm discharge resistor it's still dangerous. An un energized MOT does nothing. So yeah, just wanted to mention this. Also 4:40 They do make noise, it's the usually 50/60hz hum everyone knows.
Respect
You can do this safely (well.. you won't die) with a flyback transformer. Basically using higher frequency so it's way less lethal.
Likewise, I have seen many nightmare systems around CZcams. I like your approach. I would have some mods, however. I would have two indicators, one on incoming power before the safety witches, and one after, so you know power is on separate to the unit having output on. I would have a power switch on the unit separate to the interlocks. And I do not like the idea of mains power through the hand pieces, and so I would have a relay applying power to the transformer and a low voltage of the relay coil at the hand pieces.
The only difference I would make to your design is a mains power light that is always lit when it's plugged in as well as the activated light .
1/2 an amp is more than enough to stop the heart... The average house ( around here- runs about 15 amps in the wiring..it is amazing that sometimes people get zapped and survive- I have been told that in other areas the amps can run as high as 30 amps )
Also spark plugs are DC current not AC current...which is different again..
Another safety feature which should be considered is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). Putting things simply, in order to be shocked, let alone electrocuted, your body - essentially a rubber balloon full of salt water - becomes the path of least resistance for the current to find its way to ground. You become a Ground Fault, as the circuit's intended grounding path is broken by your body.
Needless to say, that's bad juju.
Also, you can become a path to ground if your body is within the arc-gap radius for your working voltage in air.
Arcing is not always very predictable - makes for the cool patterns in the artwork, but not so cool if you become the lightning rod. Consult references for proper stand-off distances.
I could drone on... as Jim has said, this is a rather pointed example of a powerful tool being capable of doing great damage.
The problem is that because of the transformer, the high voltage is isolated from ground, so the GFCI will not be able to detect that you are dying.
A GFCI (aka RCD) is not going to help with this, because these safety devices do not actually do what the common description of them suggests that they do. You might think that they detect current leaking to ground (aka earth) directly and shut the power off when this leakage rises above a certain level, usually around 30 milli-amps. If the GFCI actually worked by directly detecting current flowing to ground, as the name implies, then yes it would help.
But what the GFCI actually does is detect a mis-match between the current flowing in through the live wire and the current flowing back out through the neutral wire: If there is no leakage, then these will be equal and all is good. However, in the situation where you are using a high voltage transformer, all the GFCI device is protecting against is leakage on the primary side of the transformer. The high voltage coming out of the secondary side of the transformer could all be flowing to ground and the GFCI will still do nothing.
GFCI devices still have their places - such as power sockets in kitchens or bathrooms, where there are sinks or baths with water in them and copper pipes carrying that water, where the pipes themselves are usually grounded too. But for protecting against high voltages generated on the secondary side of a transformer, they will not help at all.
@@RambozoClown EXACTLY. Exactly.
The problem is when people are electrocuted, there is not necessarily any "leakage" to ground. Especially on the primary side.
With so many Darwin Award candidates out there (of the "Hold My Beer" variety), your video is spot on. A lot of people don't understand that they are opening themselves up for litigation if someone gets hurt by attempting something they watched on CZcams. Like you, I always state not to do what I do at home when I video something potentially dangerous. I also don't include pertinent details.
"Details intentionally omitted"
A neon sign power supply (still using the same safety switches, and high voltage wire you discussed) is a safer alternative as they can’t supply nearly the same amount of current as the microwave transformer.
I am an electrician in UK and pull daily several fuses up to 100 amp each at work, to do my jobs. I will never consider to do any of these fractal burnings at home , will never built any machines like that. I just want to live to see my boys growing up without taking such stupid risks and playing with electricity.
As someone who understands electricity, I agree, don't try this at home. Or even at school.
could you use a welder to do this?
Nope, you need a high voltage - that's why it's so dangerous! But this is madness to play around with a microoven 50 Hz transformer. With no load it can generate up to 4000 volts on it's secondary winding. If you got electrocuted >70% chance to die, and 30% to survive with a horrible skin burns and heart injures, missing fingers and crippled limbs.
If one still want to try wood fractal burning - try a source with *more than 20 kHz frequency* and less than 30 mA current, never touch the device by both hands, + use all of this video's pre-cautions! High frequency transformers can still burn your skin, but they are far less lethal, cause they won't cause a muscle constriction and has less chance of heart damage (above 20 kHz less current goes deep inside the body). Note that all of this still has a chance to kill you!
I am concerned that the safety switches as designed would only be an illusion of safety if the operator of the device does become a part of the circuit. The alternating current flowing through the body will cause muscle spasm that would prevent letting go of the switches. There are ways to more safely handle high voltage, high current, but it is cumbersome, expensive, or both. A full enclosure would definitely be a good start. It would also be a decent idea to mount all of the safety switches away from the enclosure and require both hands on the safety switches similar to your initial schematic, so the operator has to make the choice of either mess around with the high voltage leads with the device off or be at a safe distance from the enclosed high-voltage with the device being on. An enclosure interlock would be very nice, shutting the device off if the door is opened. However, someone would likely still figure out a way to electrocute themselves.
a good advice.
Use two lamps, one On and one Off.
the consequence is too serious if the Off lamp fails.
As long as one doesn't touch anything once you flick the on/off switch you'll be okay right?
High voltage can arc through the air in the right conditions. Honestly, is a DIWhy craft worth punching your ticket?
@@diego2112gaming Well I was thinking of doing it in the rain...
@@thundertiger76 You'll excuse me if I don't find the humor--30+ years as an electrician and a former first responder.
But hey, you do you.
Can't you plug into a gfci outlet...?
Cfci outlets trip rather fast.
No. On the supply side of the transformer there's nothing wrong, even as the high voltage side is killing you.
And of course the beryllium ceramic case of the magnetron is VERY TOXIC if broken or made into dust. The transmitters I use have BE envelopes. Handle with care!
Some people light fireworks with a 1 foot long punk, then run away.
Some people hold the firework with one hand and light it with the other.
I have similar safety features in my unit as well! You have a well designed system for that type of work!
You should put two bulbs for the power on in case one is faulty
I've built one. I built all the safety features into it. I STILL bought a pair of high voltage power line worker's gloves. This is akin to, but more potent that, most woodshop tools. They ALL require safety measure and constant attention.
I have a solid background in electricity and I'm well known for tackling dangerous projects. I've done a lot of reading on this and completely understand the concept, but even I would never do this. There is a certain small company that's making these and selling them to anyone. I wouldn't buy or use one of those either. That particular company is practically begging for a huge lawsuit.
Yessir, I know the company you are talking about and have asked them for details about any agency approvals.........crickets chirping. It is highly, highly dangerous to sell anything that could be classified as an appliance without at least covering your @ss with a UL approval. And my guess? The guy is just importing these from China.
Safety first. I too would like to do u tube videos. If you don't mind is there any residual money in it. Maybe make a video how too do so. ThAnks
Ok. I hear you. But what is the difference between a purpose built fractal burner you can buy vs a DIY? Not including the capabilities of the DIY’r; I am speaking strictly of the safety aspect. Because wouldn’t you still just have a big open 2000v board period? I am just wondering if its POSSIBLE to fractal wood burn safely?
if you stay multiple feet away, use a neon transformer instead of a microwave one, have secondary switches, and are knowledgeable about electricity.
I totally decommission/destruct/disrupt every single microwave oven I replace and every part within it. The screws, bolts and nuts I keep. Not even the globe or rotating motor gets saved.
If you are going to do this , you need more than a foot switch. You need a normally open push button in both the article and neutral power cables.you then have to have a hand on both buttons to turn the high voltage on.this forces you to place place the high voltage connections in place without holding them in your hands.
100%
All you said was eye opening but especially when you said the microwave transformer is equivalent to the highline voltage. Holy crap you wouldn’t want that sitting in front of you… I haven’t been considering trying this, but anyone who does should reconsider
Wow that’s a fantastic pattern. Did anyone mention that’s what the outside of your arms and legs are going to end up looking like if you’re not so lucky. The insides will look even better since they will be cooked from the inside out, maybe even right through your chest area too. If you live, you’ll wish you hadn’t. They’ll have to amputate your limbs, perhaps you’ll have cooked organs too, all kinds of good things can happen when you mess with electricity. Sometimes it can blow you apart too. Don’t go trying to steal those big copper cables either, lots of times they are just aluminum and almost always energized.
Actually, those voltages penetrate, so the burns are internal. It turns out blood is an excellent conductor too.
Thank you! Even if this video goes unappreciated. 👍 My bell was unrung, 😡
Even high voltage high current sources can be non lethal, it's just that the frequency must be very high. 50/60 Hz are pretty much the worst frequencies for penetrating inside of the body.
Insulated gloves would have been my first line of defense. Then a couple saftey switches.
The power involved here will just kill you through the gloves.
Easier to just lay the wood on my roof and wait for lightning to strike it. 🙂
I was set on learning how to do this. like flying small aircraft and driving vintage cars i will opt for activities that allow me to continue.
Your video has probably already saved lives and limbs.
Thanks man,
MH
Should definitely have a switch that breaks the hot, a foot pedal that does the the same would be good too or that uses a relay, the light he mentions is good. The transformer should be secured in an enclosed non conductive rigid container, it be good to do your work on a table covered by a rubber mat, have a rubber mat on the ground to stand on, line man gloves, and a non conductive pole to hold the electrode would all be worth doing putting it on a gfi breaker would be a good idea to. And finally idk exactly what would be the best way, but after turning off you need to drain the transformer so maybe a ground wire you touch and the electrode pole holder have a drain to ground.
transformers aren't capacitors, and don't hold a charge. Once the power is cut, they are fine.
Never hold the electrodes, clamp them, turn them on, turn it off move them, never hold them. You get the conductive solution on it, by mistake, spill etc you fry, never ever hold the electrodes don't care how well insulated they are never touch them when in use.
Probably should have a safety switch on the case as well so that someone cannot be monkeying around with it while it's hot, and ensuring the case is closed while in operation.
The thing is you can get the $100 Amazon fractal with a 6’ dead switch and there more safe versions
Being electrocuted scares the hell out of me. I turn off the power to the whole house when I change a light bulb.
Apparently Old Neon sign Transformers or a burner ignition transformer off a Furnace are safer than MOTs, but you should still build in all the above safety features.
Never mentioned using a rheostat or smaller amp transformer
The practice uses high-voltage electricity to create lightning-like patterns. At least 33 people have died attempting it since 2016, according to the American Association of Woodturners. La práctica utiliza electricidad de alto voltaje para crear patrones similares a relámpagos. Al menos 33 personas han muerto intentándolo desde 2016, según la Asociación Estadounidense de Torneros.
sorry it's 34...and counting
That's why you cut the secondary wires out and wrap it with 10-gauge wires to bring the amperage down
You can still pass enough current through 10 AWG wires to kill someone. However, what you are doing by replacing the secondary with 10 AWG is lowering the voltage and increasing the current. The voltage is proportional to the number of turns, so if your new secondary has half the number of turns as the old secondary the voltage will be half but the current will be doubled. What you describe building is a poorly-designed welding transformer, as 10 AWG is not suitable for that use. That would also not work well for burning wood.
I wonder if you would clench your hands tight around the safety buttons if you zapped yourself.
This is perfectly safe
Friend , one thing you don't seem to realise about electric shock is it contracts your muscles, therefore your hand held switches are useless as your fingers will hold tight grip on buttons and you will never be able to release them no matter how much you want it 😅
That's why he has the foot switch as a third safety. The hand switches are mainly to keep his in the right place so he doesn't accidently touch anything.
There is a high voltage capacitor in line with the transformer, this thing will ruin your day!
Make sure you properly discharge it before you start messing with the transformer!!
Out of the million of hobbies that are more dangerous then this it’s funny that CZcams commenters inner OCEA employee comes out when this topic in particular comes up.
I appreciate the advice unfortunately, I’m not in a position to stop using my machine I do have a deadman switch hooked up and because of your video I’m going to put the other switches lights and box on before I use it again so thank you again I appreciate you
You...can't stop? 🤨
Back in the 80's I knew a man that had purchased a satellite dish and started a cable service. One day he had been talking to his son while the son was on a telephone pole running cable for a customer, as he turned to walk back to his truck he saw the sky light up a turned back to see his son hanging and on fire! His son had his baseball cap on instead of his hardhat and the primary arched down and struck him in the head and exited his foot and armpit. By the time his dad lowered him and put out the fire,all his clothes had burned off. What was left fit in a sandwich bag. He didn't die but spent a long time in the hospital, it burned his ears off, some of his toes blown off, his hair burned off and the scar tissue there now so he can never grow hair again. If there is any consolation at least his testicals were spared and from what I understand he very lucky they where! So Yeah, Electricity is NO JOKE!
Gfci.... And a plastic momentary pedal
Where's the variac?
Electricty scares me now in my mid 30's. I fell asleep w.o. putting my ladder up & ran outside to grab it half asleep still and walked directly into the power lines. Worst pain I have ever felt. Lasted just a few seconds. But I didn't have a burn or no problems rite after. I know God told me he wasn't ready yet. I literally experienced the other side. Trust God & I'm not saying I say hime but he talked to me while I was getting lit up. It was freaky
I totally understand the could a portable battery charger be used
nothing a bit of high voltage PPE can't prevent
assuming you know that you need it
Good PPE might prevent a percentage of accidents, not all. And if the PPE is worn out, all bets off.
@@TheGreenHeartofItaly-fl3wv it's not really PPE at that point then but just clothes
@@philosoaper That's my point, I was adding to your "assuming that you need it" comment to say "and it has to be in good repair, preferably certified, inspected and tested regularly, and the right stuff for the job". All that bit. The problem here, as you know, is people don;t realize the depth of what they are working with. The want the world to be simple and safe and are too lazy or stupid to learn what they should know to be making reccomendations.
Another electric utility professional chiming in. These things are terrifying. You could put in 12 safety switches, i won't touch it.
On another note. He kept saying "I won't show you how to build one. Then draws a perfect one-line diagram. 😂😂
😂