Budget Burning

[Skulli]

Just curious...I'm seeing (on ebay) a HUGE variety of burning equipment, some so crazy expensive, they look like laser surgery implements, others like $10 wanna be soldering irons that wouldn't last a week.

So if I were to buy, say a $15 Hobby Lobby "Special" which probably runs 35 watts, and has 5 brass tips and a stand, will this rig "git-r-done" so to speak, or is it a waste of money. Budget is a big factor for me at this moment. Thanx!

[Paul_Guraedy]

I have never used one of the cheap models. Paid about $80 or so for mine (many years ago); but, would guess that you are going to be disappointed.

My advice would be to wait until you can afford one of the units from a woodcarving supplier. You need a variety of tips and good control of the temp to do a decent job of burning.

[AlArchie]

I've got both, and both work well, for what they are designed to do. You can get started and do some quite satisfactory "beginners" woodburning with a decent hobby pen. In fact I've seen some professional type work done with just the hobby pens. There is no comparison between the hobby pen and a good pyrography station and pen, dont get me wrong, but you won't loose a whole lot of money by spending the 20 or so bucks for a hobby pen and extra tip assortment. If and when your skill level develops past the hobby stage, you can shop around for a good station setup.

Al

[wade clark]

Al's right. I had a cheap pen as a kid and it worked well and did a pretty nice job once I got the hang of it. It's biggest drawbach was it wouldn't stay hot...burn for 20 to 30 seconds, clean the tip while it heats up again, maybe 30 to 60 seconds, then burn another 20 to 30. It'd be a great place to start while you save up for a Razer-tip or other truly professional models that will stay hot and have a virtually endless tip availability. At that point, someone will be thrilled to get your old one.
One note: The tips on the $15 units are primative compared to the Razer-Tip's; they're thickness is probably why they are so hard to keep hot...my guess.
You might go to Razer-Tip's website, www.razertip.com just for the education. There are one or more Folks on this Forum that sell them, too. I never found that out until I had bought one and paid more than I needed to.
Wade

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have a razortip and its great, but if you can't buy one now, those cheap ones with the brass tips can be filed down to make them into more usable shapes........but sometimes we spend money to save money and just end up spending money! LOLCowboy

[Kenny_S]

I have the Hobby Lobby pen type burning and is a great little tool for enter level burners. I also have a Dial-A-Temp which is close to the big burners but it still uses the pen type burners but with better qaulity ends. Have never used the Razor tip or Colwood or any other types but if'n I was going to buy one, Razor Tip, would be the one, even tho Colwood produces a nice burner. Many other burners out there.

[Skulli]

Thanx for all the advice. I plopped my meager $14.99 down at Hobby Lobby and got 950 degrees, 30 watts and 5 tips...it'll keep me busy until I can spring for better gear and give me a chance to gain experience to better appreciate and utilize a nicer rig once I can afford one. Gonna take a stab at some Royo-esque portrait work on a staff I've got drying out.

[Irish]

I used a one temperature tool for about 20 years. About four years ago I got a new one. There was nothing wrong with the original but I decided that I wanted two so that I could have different tips within reach without having to wait for the tool to cool down.

You can do a great deal of excellent work with a one-temp tool! I did upgrade about two years ago to a razortip but I still have my two one-temps out of the table when I am working.

Susan

[Skulli]

Thanx Susan, I needed that encouraging word after all the negs on the el cheapo model!

Jim

[Pyrographer]

Hi Jim, I've been away but I'll add my 2 cents here.

I have used and owned many of the detail burners (Colwood, Detailmaster, Razertip and Optima, Burnmaster) and now use the Razertip and a solid tip pen made by Wall Lenk (similar to what you got).

There are many artists who can do great things with a solid tip pen, I'm not one of them. I use mine mostly for doing my dark backgrounds and filling in large dark areas. I still find that doing fine detail work is done best with a good detail burner and Razertip is my burner of choice for many reasons.

Some of the downsides of "el cheapo" burners is the length of time it takes to heat and cool the tips. I am one of those who likes instant gratification. When it's time to burn I want to do it now, not 5 minutes from now. Remember that your tips must be cool before removing otherwise you will ruin them.

Getting started with one of the inexpensive burners is fine and you certainly can do a lot with them but I do have to agree that when you can afford to, you really will find that a detail burner can't be beat.

You can find a lot of information on the Razertip as well as many tutorials, including one on the single temperature burners on my website. The tutorials are in the section called "Pyrography 101"

Nedra