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Fractal Burning

Don’t do it. It kills.

Fractal burning, also called Lichtenberg burning, uses high-voltage electricity to burn patterns into wood. It has killed at least 35 people. Those who died include hobbyists, professional woodworkers, and experienced electricians.

If you have a fractal burner, throw it away. If you’re thinking about trying it, stop. There are many other ways to decorate your work.

Why it’s so dangerous

  • High voltage is invisible. Unlike a saw blade, you can’t see the danger.
  • One small mistake is enough. Touching an electrode, the liquid on the wood, or a loose wire can send current across your heart.
  • Even low current can stop a heart.
  • There are no safety-certified (UL-rated) fractal burners for sale. Some deaths involved homemade burners built from microwave oven transformers.
  • Bought or homemade, the risk is the same.

AAW policy

In 2017 the AAW Board banned fractal burning at all AAW-sponsored events. AAW publications won’t feature it except to warn against it, and won’t accept ads for it.

Chapters are strongly urged not to demonstrate, display, or promote it. Chapters that promote, demonstrate, or allow fractal burning can’t get or renew insurance through AAW.

Learn more

Video

Reported deaths and injuries

AAW has collected these reports of deaths and serious injuries from fractal burning. Links go to the original reports. Some may no longer be available.

Deaths

Near deaths and serious injuries