Post by Frictor on Apr 15, 2017 9:44:37 GMT -5
History:
A few months ago, during a discussion at one of our meetings, I suggested maybe attempting lichtenberg figures in gourds. About a month ago, I actually implemented a test to find out if it would work.
Result:
Yes! It works, though there are difficulties. I'll be adding pictures below.
The Process: (for those interested)
I started with Apple Gourds, other types will likely work in a similar fashion if they have a fibrous inner texture. These gourds were well dried, (10+ years). An old microwave transformer (properly modified) was used as the power source, with screws as the terminals
The first attempt was just painting the outside with baking soda and water electrolyte, and I found out that while the process would start, the coating on the outside would vaporize too quickly for a good result.
The second attempt, involved me cutting the apple gourds in half or thirds and then soaking the inside with the baking soda and water electrolyte for a while, before coating the outside again and applying electricity. If the inside was soaked through well enough, the figures would properly burn in. Not sure if the bad results were from too much or too little electrolyte.
Bad results were mostly burnt gourds with little to no sign of the lichtenberg figures. Good results, ranged from very small and clear figures to very large figures that burned through the gourd completely in spots.
Special thanks to Jim, who guided me through the process, Glenn for providing the space and equipment for testing this, and anybody else who was there advising me in the process, and watching to see what would happen.
Pictures (As Promised)
Two good figures, you can see they're both clear, and the one has burned through the gourd in spots.
A closer view of one of the good figures, with the inside next to it. You can see the start of the figures inside too.
This gourd was glued back together so that it is now in one piece for future use, any good ideas?
A few months ago, during a discussion at one of our meetings, I suggested maybe attempting lichtenberg figures in gourds. About a month ago, I actually implemented a test to find out if it would work.
Result:
Yes! It works, though there are difficulties. I'll be adding pictures below.
The Process: (for those interested)
I started with Apple Gourds, other types will likely work in a similar fashion if they have a fibrous inner texture. These gourds were well dried, (10+ years). An old microwave transformer (properly modified) was used as the power source, with screws as the terminals
The first attempt was just painting the outside with baking soda and water electrolyte, and I found out that while the process would start, the coating on the outside would vaporize too quickly for a good result.
The second attempt, involved me cutting the apple gourds in half or thirds and then soaking the inside with the baking soda and water electrolyte for a while, before coating the outside again and applying electricity. If the inside was soaked through well enough, the figures would properly burn in. Not sure if the bad results were from too much or too little electrolyte.
Bad results were mostly burnt gourds with little to no sign of the lichtenberg figures. Good results, ranged from very small and clear figures to very large figures that burned through the gourd completely in spots.
Special thanks to Jim, who guided me through the process, Glenn for providing the space and equipment for testing this, and anybody else who was there advising me in the process, and watching to see what would happen.
Pictures (As Promised)
Two good figures, you can see they're both clear, and the one has burned through the gourd in spots.
A closer view of one of the good figures, with the inside next to it. You can see the start of the figures inside too.
This gourd was glued back together so that it is now in one piece for future use, any good ideas?
