Pyrography

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DocStram

DocStram

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Joined
Feb 16, 2006
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Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I've seen a couple of articles in Woodturning Design about woodburning designs in bowls and platters. I've been toying with the idea of giving it a try. Before I head off to a woodcarving/woodburning site for advice . . . I thought I would check to see if any IAP members have experience with burning designs in their turnings. If so . . . what has your experience been? Does anybody happen to have a good quality woodburning system that is gathering dust and that you might want to sell or trade? (and no, I'm not talking about the woodburning kit that mom and dad gave you for Christmas when you were in second grade)
 
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Hey Al!

I bought from these guys after a lot of shopping around:

http://www.hummul.com/store.php?crn=218

I picked up the Colwood Super Pro II, and love it. Get a couple of the replaceable tip handles, and pick out a couple good tips.

Raymond really took care of me over the phone, got me all set up, and they were the cheapest I found after a lot of research.

One of the neatest tools I've ever bought, the newer units have the old second grade stuff beat hands down. :D
 
Mike .... Your mesquite bowl with the burned band around it? That's what I'm talking about! I'm going to take my time and look thru your website. The Rising Sun Bowl .... you textured the whole bottom half of that work? Very nicely done!

Question for you, I want to learn to texture turnings made from hardwoods. Do I need to get a burner that will get hot enough for hardwoods or will any decent burner get hot enough?

Whoaaaa .. the Carob Bowl with the Textured Edge??? I'm becoming a big fan. :D
 
Doc

I was at the Southern States Symposium put on this weekend by the AAW, and there were several international tuners present. One of them is Graeme Priddle from New Zealand. Graeme is a master at woodburning his pieces, and shared a design for a woodburner that is home made. It requires a simple battery chager, a 600w dimmer switch, and some NickelChrome wire (like in a toaster). This home made burner is fantastic at burning hot, and fast, just what you need for production burning in really hard woods. If I can find something that is a little better than my hand written notes, I will send you the drawings.

Graeme's website is: http://www.graemepriddle.co.nz/

I sat through 3 sessions of him turning. Talk about a great turner, but most importantly, a very awesome human being. We enjoyed every minute with Graeme. He is in the states for the next 2 months doing classes for all of the major turning studios (AAW Richmond Meeting, John C Campbell, Arrowmont, and several AAW chapters out in California have him doing guest spots). Our club is currently trying to get him booked for next year, so let me know if you are interested, and I will shoot you an invite when he is coming!
 
Originally posted by DocStram


Question for you, I want to learn to texture turnings made from hardwoods. Do I need to get a burner that will get hot enough for hardwoods or will any decent burner get hot enough?
Click to expand...
The Burnmaster I have is the only unit I have ever used so I can not give a comparison. I believe any decent burner would get hot enought, but would stay away from lower powered cheap units. I have burnt a lot of Mesquite, Honey locust and other really hard woods with out any trouble.

It is fun to be able to add the little extra touch with the burning. All of the bowls with burnt pictures on them I used stencils, since I can not even draw a stick man ;).
 
Don't know if would be worthwhile, but Woodcraft has several class programs in woodburning, although I notice that your closest location is in Roswell, and they don't have any of the classes scheduled. They probably would do it, though, if you could stir up some interest, and didn't mind a bit of a road trip.
 
Doc a couple years ago i bought a razortip burner from tree line products (i believe they are next door to CSUSA) anyway they gave me great service and were very helpful in explaining the different burners and what the most important things to look for in any machine that you may look at. the burner i bought from them has been Awsome and has done everything i have ever wanted it to do. Good Luck!!:D
 
I appreciate all of the advice.

Robert ..... I like the idea of possibly making my own system. I dug around Graeme Priddle's site but can't find anything regarding plans. Let me know if you come across those note. And, please let me know if you guys get Graeme to do a workshop next year. I'd be interested in coming. I'm finally getting over the flu. I hope to be at Highland Woodworking next Saturday morning some time. I'll look for you. Don't drive yourself crazy looking for those notes. Knowing me, I'll just end up buying a system.

Rich .... Good idea about the WC classes. That would be a way to get started.

Shane ... does your Razortip do the job when it comes to hardwoods?

Again, thanks to all for your help!
 
Doc

Making your own unit is very popular over in Europe. They like to make their own tips over there, and believe me, some of the stuff my dad has shown me, they are artisans when it comes to working with the custom tips. When Graeme was over here visiting a year or so ago, he made these burners with one of the clubs around here, and it was very successful. I was able to watch him use the home made one and it is fantastic. He makes his own tips in the shapes he wants, and it burns VERY hot, and can be used in a production environment. I did not see anything on his site either, so I will get busy cracking on the notes.

I am going to get with dad and have him draw some stuff up, since he is the electronics expert!

The bad news with that flu thing is, it will take you another 2 weeks of coughing before you finally get rid of it for good.
 
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