Burning tip maintenance

#1 01-15-2004, 07:56 AM

I was wondering if any of you ever clean your burning tips. I thought that I read somewhere that they need to be cleaned one in a while. Mine seem to be clean but they have become a bit discoloured. Do they need to be cleaned, and if so, how do you do it without ruining them? ???

Thanks,
Chris. :

Nancy_G · #2 01-15-2004, 08:28 AM

Chris, IMHO heat will automatically discolor any burning tip but won't change it at all.
When mine seem to need cleaning, when they develop a coating of char or gunk, I just give them a gentle FLAT swipe across a diamond stone or super fine sand paper. Works like a charm.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 01-15-2004, 09:51 AM

I have a small leather strop I keep just for the tips...haven't had to use stronger than that yet, if I did, would use 2000 grit sandpaper.

Colin_Partridge · #4 01-15-2004, 10:07 AM

I have a tip cleaner I purchased from Razertip very inexpensive check it out at http://www.razertip.com it is a gadget with two small blades set at a 45 degree angle and you draw your pen thru it.
Colin

David_Aaron_Sercel · #5 01-15-2004, 12:12 PM

Periodically while I am burning I clean of the tip with a 400 grit
sanding sponge to remove any build up and to restore a sharp
edge. When the tip needs sharpening I use a fine
diamond stone.

David

gwc · #6 03-02-2005, 03:22 PM

This tip for cleaning burning tips came from Jett Brunet at the Worlds last year he used the back of a ceramic tile. I tryed it and it workes great .It removes the carbon but does,t cut away the tip.

Gordo.

Kenny_S · #7 03-02-2005, 04:19 PM

I use ultra fine sand paper. Don't burn that much so figure the tips will last a few more years.

Paul_Guraedy · #8 03-02-2005, 04:40 PM

I burn quite a bit, being a bird carver. Like Hi Ho I just strop the tip, but just use the strop I made for my other tools. So far seems to do well. I did find it best to let the tip cool, but that only takes a second and I never finish burning in one session so had to get used to watching the setting closely.

Along the theme of burning, I have noticed that I need to use a different setting when doing opposite sides of feathers to keep the same level of burn. Anyone else having this problem?

David_Aaron_Sercel · #9 03-02-2005, 05:27 PM

No, I've never had that problem. What kind of wood do you use?

David

Paul_Guraedy · #10 03-02-2005, 06:16 PM

Actually, I wrote that question as a quick thought on burning without really thinking about it. It was basswood of a John Engler drawing. Could have been these pieces of wood (glued up) as I had not noticed it before. Just recently finished this piece. Lots of feathers it is about 18"x12". Have not burned since so that was fresh in my mind.