[Shawnee]

Hi All...

Not sure if this is the right board for this - please bear with me.
I am just beginning to carve but have also seen some exquisite wood art that is woodburning and it looks fascinating.
Alas, all I know about woodburning could be written on the edge of a very tiny gouge.
If a person wished to add limited woodburnings to their carving insanity - let's say simply pictures done on rounds (the kind with the bark on) - how would they start and what equipment would they need?
Many thanks for any/all advice !!

[Donna_T]

Well, that depends on what all you want to do with a burner. Personally, I started with a cheapo, one-temp (HOT/HOTTER) burner from Walmart--then I added a dial reostat to try to control the temp. I should have saved that $20 and put it on a real wood burner. 12-13 years ago, I bought a Colwood Cub electronic woodburner for under $50, and bought a couple of generic tips. I just checked the Colwood site and see:

Name: The Cub Product ID: 2000Date: 7/10/2006 Price: $57.95 Description: (2" x 5.5" x 2.25")The Cub is Colwood's most economical unit.

You might be able to find it cheaper through a taxidermy supply catalogue like VanDykes or there's another major one....can't remember their name.

Although it costs a bit more, I would not get the replacable tips--get the handpiece that has the tip as part of it--it will last longer and give better results.

Just my humble opinion, but that's what I'd do if I were doing it all over again.

Donna

[squbrigg]

Shawnee....simple or complex, the one tool will serve both and isn't expensive. (a relative term)

The Razortip SS-D10 burner unit is my choice and has served me well. They retail at about $120.00 US and the single unit, the SK runs about $98.00 US. I like and use the double pen set up, and use two pens shapes almost exclusively, the small skew and the medium curved round shader. Start out with just a couple of pens for a while, until you see how you like it, as pens can get expensive and sit idle. Then add to your set up as time and experience goes on.

Bob

[Shawnee]

Hi Donna and Bob...

Thank you very much for the good responses!

Donna - do you think the Colwood "Super Pro II" is a good choice if someone wanted to start with "better-than-basic" equipment but didn't want to get into an "overkill" situation? I hear you on the replaceable tips - nearly everything I've read has advised to avoid them.

Bob- Thanks for the nod toward the Razortip line. It looks to be pretty extensive which is good if someone intends to expand their work (I hope to "contain" myself, at least in theory )

The advice to start with just a couple pens sounds right on - just having a practical idea of which pen types and tip types to get really helps, and thanks!

Do either of you suggest any other items of equipment that will be often-used elements of the "starter kit"??

Many, many thanks to both of you!!!

Shawnee

[BobD]

<SHAMELESS PLUG FOR BOOK HERE LOL>

I'd suggest getting Lora S. Irish's new book, the Great Book of Woodburning...she's devoted sections to all your questions...it's a great book for beginners.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[santagibbs]

Shawnee, I have a colwood burner and have had it sense 1993.. It has proven itself to be a very good burner... It heats up in no time and cools down fast.. We bought lots of tips but I use two most of the time .. One being a very sharp tip and one a more rounded one .. They have a nice case for it now and we bought a new cord after ten years .. They are very good about communicating with you also.. I am sure the other burners are just as well,but I am just speaking for mine... Charlotte

[Shawnee]

Many thanks, All...

Glad to hear I don't have to buy Houston Control to get some woodburning done! Will definitely get the book by Lora Irish as it sounds like a valuable reference and I'll probably wear it out!

Thanks again!
Shawnee

[Micky]

I bought Lora S Irish's Great Book of Woodburning from Fox Hill last month and it will be perfect for you. It contains Info on burners and their tips as well as great lessons on woodburning--including the patterns. You can also check out her site at www.carvingpatterns.com for some great free tutorials--but still make sure you get the book.
good luck
micky

[Clifford_Parker]

For limited burning on a limited budget you can also start with a single temp pen with replaceable tips. Many people have used them for years and, with practice they will do almost as much as the "pro" units.

I started with a single temp pen but now use magnifying glasses and the sun for my woodburning.

[Shawnee]

LOL! Cliff !

I need the magnifying glass just to use the darn pens!