LGC Sign

[shilala]

I just got this sign finished, it's been sitting around forever waiting for the edge to get sanded.
I wanted to try a wood stabilization technique that you guys were talking about.
So I decided to get the torch out and burn this board to a crisp on top. I made it my mission to get it burned nice and deep and it took a good while.
The reason I wanted it burned up so much is that I wanted to know this wood stabilization thing really worked, and worked good.

It certainly did. In essence, it turned the burned parts into plastic. Coolest thing ever. I know this is a gimmicky aesthetic thing, but the technique has lots of practical applications in woodworking, so I'll put it to use in the future when I get in a jam.

I made a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME42q0BnbDE) so I didn't have to upload pics.

I got a few pics anyways, it took me a few hours to get this post finished...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/50181BAC-ABC5-4300-96AB-AFAFC8EB8987.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/DD77AC5F-1E90-4432-94F4-FFE20E379B89.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/F6C4849F-AFC3-48D4-BF57-7387A1A9F12D.jpg[/QUOTE]

[genek]

looks great, love it

[t_vandemark]

I really like that. What type of wood did you use (maple?)? I am assuming that you sealed it before carving? But you know what they say about assuming.:)

[steve_g]

Very nice! Exactly which wood stabilized did you use?
SG

[shilala]

Ya know, I think that was poplar. I honestly don't remember, I pulled the piece of wood out of the junk pile. The backside is rough sawn, and I can't tell what it is. The edge looks like poplar.
I did stabilize it before carving.

[scottp55]

Came out Gorgeous Scott!!
Repeat Steve's question"Exactly which wood stabilizer"
Nice even burn job. Did you get any curling like I get with thin stock? Or did you have it clamped somehow while burning? Regular propane torch?
Great job:)

[shilala]

I used Elmer's, guys. Being as I was dealing with charcoal, and because the Elmer's was so crazy thick, I thinned a little with water for the first coat. Then I just kept pushing it in and pushing it in until it wouldn't take any more.
It's maybe a 16oz. bottle and I didn't even use 1/2" of it. You wouldn't even know I opened it if I didn't say so. It stretches and stretches and stretches. It just acts like plain old Elmer's glue, I think.

No curling at all, Scott. It's 3/4 stock, and I think it's poplar. I sat on a five gallon bucket in the driveway and sat the board on a cardboard box. Cooked it with a plain old propane torch.
I paid close attention to how the wood consumed and when and how the cracks appeared. It was very easy to get a uniform thickness of burn and for it to all look uniform.
You can see in the v-carve the thickness of the burn and how consistent it is.

One thing.
Once the chacoal layer is stabilized, it's much like a poorly glued on, fragile piece of plastic. But I knocked a big flap loose when I banged the edge with the sander.
Fortunately it just peeled back and didn't crush, so I just wood stabilizered it back in place. Can't even see where it happened now.
But there's a very real opportunity to ruin the sign before it's done. Or after. Just gotta be careful.

[scottp55]

Thanks Scott, I was playing with burnt Maple Monday and made it black but barely(did not rub off on finger) and black layer was only about .02" thick and carved for buttons.
Posted pics, but had Nancy yank them as there was a copyright problem(Thanks Dave for heads up), and results were VERY graphic and Dad loved it and is still talking about:)
Good to know thicker wood doesn't warp, mine "potato-chipped" almost an inch, but clamping while still warm(should have done faster) and leaving clamped for 2 hours saved 80% of it and it's still flat on the carpet tape so trying different designs today.
Wonderful technique:)
Mine drank 4 coats of thinned lacquer before I cut it, and that was a slight burn sanded to 320G beforehand after surfacing. Going to try Cherry next as I think the color combo might be nice.
Hadn't even thought about watered glue--Thanks.
scott p

[shilala]

It's not just glue, Scott.
It's specifically "Elmer's Rotted Wood Stabilizer".
http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/026000/026000007603.jpg

[scottp55]

Oopsy:( Missed that somehow. Thanks Scott

[shilala]

Welcome, brother. I'm thrilled with the stuff.