Shou sugi ban

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Polish hammer

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Thinking this is the best place ask this? So if like to try this technique does anyone know if you can use it on green lumber like fresh sawn? Says it preserves the wood so does burning it speed dry it like?
 
No...it is not a god way to dry lumber:
1) heat won't get all the way through
2) it will dry VERY unevenly causing more warping and checking.

Dry it first, then burn it.

I've only done it once with some cedar, and it worked great and looks great on a patio table top.
 
What was your process burn it wire brush wash it then oil?

Careful with the wire brush. It can leave scratch lines in the wood, especially if only doing a light burn.
Its more common to use a fiber scrub brush (called a "tawashi")
tawashi.jpg

005-6c208.jpg


But sometimes there is no scrubbing done, depending on the desired effect (especially if looking to really blacken it)

BTW, I know its often called "shou sugi" in foreign lingos, but in Japan its more common to say "yaki-sugi"
You can do a google search with copy/paste of these letters
焼杉
or you can see process pics or blogs but just typing
焼杉 DIY

And always keep the torch in motion. Even burns can take a bit of practice.

Good luck!
 
What did you end up using for a finish? And did you use them inside or outside?

Sorry man, not my pics. I pulled them off google.
But i've done it lots of times. I have a literally endless supply of cedar (sugi).

Yeah, inside or out, but outside you can get more discoloration unless you put on some varnish.
As far as what finish, the selection is pretty limited in Japan. Home centers near enough to me usually only have 2 or 3 types at best, usually from the same company. They got oil based varnish for waterproof/outside, and waterbase for inside. Thats about it.

I have used wax though on smaller things. Comes out nice, but after the tawashi brushing, use some sandpaper too (the sandpaper will get dirty quick though).
 
Sometime its cool really blackened
(again not my pics)
IMG_6971-e1548296725987.jpg


Which makes it great for two tone contrast

slid_2.jpg
 
I burned with a "weed torch" on a 20# propane tank. Gives a wider burn than a smaller torch so more even.

I think I just used a stiff bristle scrub brush to knock off loose stuff.

Finished with boiled linseed oil. Tried to put another coat on a year later and it didn't take well. I guess that is a good sign it is sealed?

Again, I'm claiming no expertise, just read up and did it once. I was jumping in more to offer thoughts on its impact to wet lumber.
 
Cool thanks guys I think this is very neat way of finish wood I actually got some wood ready to try this once it stops raining it’ll be inside for a built in shelf thing does it smell for long?
 
This I made today the back wall is white cedar and the casing is so thin unknown I milked both a year ish ago also turned out rustic no stain or finish 1F0497D0-5AE6-47D4-967D-B85B26ECB107.jpeg7000B5E5-E21A-4BA1-9FC6-7FAA1DC7CEA2.jpeg3C8DD66A-94E0-42EE-8CBC-25D9576771D6.jpeg
 
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