Some jobs are inherently dangerous; catching king crab in the North Atlantic, servicing insulators via helicopter, and cutting foam at "Billy Bob's U-Foam It"...

So if you ran the output of the Variac through a small bridge rectifier at least it'd be DC and only slight less dangerous...it wouldn't kill you as quickly, but at least you'd get also get burned badly as well. [Linked Image] Perhaps a GFCI on the line side of the transformer for moral support would help too.

I had a much worse set up for my pickle electrocution machine. 110v plug to inline 10amp screw base fuse to a single pole switch which end up connecting to two nails that you stick into the ends of a pickle. Turn out the lights, turn on the switch, and you get an illuminated pickle that sizzles. Very much not safe but entertaining. The demonstration dealt with the ability of salt water and salty things that allow current flow......'this is your brain....this is your brain on electricity'

RSLater,
RSmike