Pyrography Burners
From CoMakingSpace Wiki
| MachineInfoBox Pyrography Burners | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms: | pyrograph; DE: Brandkolben, Brandmalkolben, Brennkolben, "Brenn-Peter", Elektroschreiber |
| Type: | engraving/marking |
| Material: | wood, cork, leather |
| Access Requirements: | Heat Introduction |
| Tutors: | Lukas NitramLegov Pakue Johannes Luzian Keno |
| Similar (More or Less): | branding irons |
A pyrography burner can be used to burn freehand drawings and small patterns into wood, e.g. for marking or decorational purposes. Using a laser cutter is much easier for intricate designs.
Although many of these burners look like a soldering iron, please refrain from using one for soldering - remains of charred wood in your solder will not exactly improve the connections and remains of solder may taint the pyrography.
Health & Safety
- only solid untreated wood, cork or leather should be burned with this tool as other materials may release harmful fumes (see Wikipedia)
- make sure you have good ventilation even if "your" fumes are not especially harmful
- obviously, the burner gets hot and should not be touched while plugged in or shortly after
- use a metal stand to rest the tool when it is hot
- regularly check the fit of your tip - especially the screw-in tips of cheap models often don't stay in properly, but we won't invest in a fancier burner until we see how popular the technique is
Use
Sketching your design in pencil beforehand is always a good idea, and scribing it with a pricking awl may help you guide the burner along its lines.
Move the burner along its path until you achieved the desired look - the slower, the darker!
Example Project
Thise shelf was decorated with a pyrography burner:
Further Reading
- Wikipedia: Pyrography - inspiration for the really artsy ones; list of inappropriate materials
