[Captain_Bandaid]

Moonraker, whose handpieces did you purchase? I may have to do the same thing.

The handpieces are by 'Nibsburner'. They look like graphite and have a cork band around the area where you hold it.

I have found that the setting number will vary with the type of wood you are burning, the speed you move the handpiece, how dark you want the burn, what other electric items are on the circuit you are connected to and what color you underwear is! Even two 'identical' machines may give a different heat at the same setting. I usually burn around '4' and when I start a new project I burn a few lines on the bottom of the base to make sure I am not too hot. You can always go back over a light burn, but char is there forever!

I use my burner when the carvings are finished to remove all the small burrs left behind from the carving knife. This method cleans up all the details and makes them look much better. I also use a detail master set between 5 and 7.

Cap't. I think a pyrography forum is a great idea. I would definately find it interesting.

Hi All,
I think I used to be a member here a year or two ago, but I just signed back up today. Â*I am a burner and a carver, and have used the detail master for about 4 years. Â*I can use it on any temperature setting, but only because I made a doubled leather sheath for each pen (solid state) Â*It fits from just above the burning tip all the way up to the vents. Â*I had tried the replacable tip pen first and had nothing but trouble until the pen unit failed completely. Â*I love the solid state pens.
I hope that helps someone!

Donna

Hi Donna,
It has been a long time since you have posted here.

[Captain_Bandaid]

I like the idea of the leather sheath. I will stitch one up from the remnants I had left over from the snow tires I made for my wife.

The burning pen can also be used for fine detail carving. Sharpen the tip the same way you would your knife and, on a low heat, it will cut through the wood easily. I find it the best way to cut in the quills on feathersand to undercut them for separation. Practice a little first because you will not be ready for how easy it slices through the wood.

Good Luck....

[Captain_Bandaid]

Very True, Moonraker. I use it to make very fine woodgrain between the larger grain I make with a vee-tool. It adds to the realism of the grain. Now that, I know, sounds funny to a beginner. Why carve away all the nice grain to make the carving and then carve the grain back into it. Well, simply put, the grain really isn't there on most good carving woods. Besides, you can give it a weathered look in a lot less time than it takes to do naturally.

There is an article in Chip Chats jan-feb 2002 on page124 where Bob Boyer is telling about burning gourds and he says thathe used thedetail master excalibre model using a ventilated fixed tip 3-A pen on a setting of 5 1/2 which is apx. 1000 degrees and burned continuously for 3 1/2 hours.
I don't burn yet so I have to believe everone else, but my wife is interested so a forum would be a good way for me to decide what equipment to consider.
By the way Bob Boyer has an e-mail address (pyrographer@msn.com )and his webpage is (www.detailmasteronline.com) maybe he can get you lined out with the right burning system.