You get the “Alligator Look” by the intensity and duration of the flame in contact with the lumber. My equipment only sprays a mist to extinguish any actively burning wood. I suggest some test cedar samples to figure out the finish you want. I generally find that Cedar burns easily but it doesn’t often make the Alligator scales. Of course it depends a lot on moisture content. You might want to try a light mist on the wood and then immediately burn. After the desired surface is attained apply whatever finishing product you want to seal your “look”. Unsealed alligator will collect dust and put a charcoal smudge on anything it touches, a very delicate surface with cedars and pines.
@@Mileagex i don’t specifically know the results from a very hot electric furnace as i have never tried one, my thoughts are that the amount of energy for lumber to spontaneously combust (which it MUST do in order to char) is much greater than the application of flame directly. My testing experience has been that the charring is a result of direct flame contact to the surace, flame intensity and conveyor speed can then be modulated to attain the desired end result.
Burners direct “fingers of flame” directly down from the top onto the surface to be treated, there is enough flame and heat that the sides of 1x and 2x lumber does receive some burn or char.
Hey, thanks so much for the video. Do you have a diy how to make this machine?
You get the “Alligator Look” by the intensity and duration of the flame in contact with the lumber. My equipment only sprays a mist to extinguish any actively burning wood. I suggest some test cedar samples to figure out the finish you want. I generally find that Cedar burns easily but it doesn’t often make the Alligator scales. Of course it depends a lot on moisture content. You might want to try a light mist on the wood and then immediately burn. After the desired surface is attained apply whatever finishing product you want to seal your “look”. Unsealed alligator will collect dust and put a charcoal smudge on anything it touches, a very delicate surface with cedars and pines.
Can this be done in 900 celcius electric furnace
@@Mileagex i don’t specifically know the results from a very hot electric furnace as i have never tried one, my thoughts are that the amount of energy for lumber to spontaneously combust (which it MUST do in order to char) is much greater than the application of flame directly. My testing experience has been that the charring is a result of direct flame contact to the surace, flame intensity and conveyor speed can then be modulated to attain the desired end result.
Very interesting! Curious why the knots aren’t getting charred?
Thanks for the video, I'm going to try and suyaki a cedar sculpture next week, do you wash it immediately after or not to get the alligator look?
are you looking for some work!
I have 25 @boards of kiln dried 3/4 x 12” x 96” that i would like to get processed - coral springs area
Hey guys! Are you selling your machine?
Are the burners coming into the furnace from both sides or from top?
Burners direct “fingers of flame” directly down from the top onto the surface to be treated, there is enough flame and heat that the sides of 1x and 2x lumber does receive some burn or char.