Replies

1. 
   S_Kharal | Jun 10, 2020 11:23am | #1

   It really depends on the moisture content of the wood previous to burning. In my brief experimentation with shou sugi ban I tested it on a table mockup of dimensional lumber that had tight fitting joinery. The table was dissasembled and then the top was burned. when i went to reassemble the parts the table parts didnt fit as tightly as before, I assume because much of the moisture had been driven out of the wood. Now I have yet to try it with any good wood but I imagine applying high amounts of heat to one side of a board is going to create some shrinkage or warping.

   Speaking to a friend who's taken up some Japanese woodworking styles, he suggested getting a torch with the highest btu rating that i could find as charring the outside as quickly as possible would help avoid this.

   Also bear in mind, if you're going to torch the wood before assembly you're going to get charred fingerprints on the areas you dont want blackened, so if you're using the burn to create contrast I would be careful how you handle the work.