Dilema

Hanna · #1 03-30-2007, 05:39 AM

I have a Colwood Detail Burner and the kind of pens where you can take the pen off the cord and you can change tips on the pen. Where the pen connects to the cord there is a brass looking fitting on each part...male/female...to connect the two. It is a simple push pen type thing. Anyway, once the two parts are joined the brass parts are still showing...about 3/8 inch or so, and that area gets HOT.

When I am burning the web between my finger and thumb constantly hits that darn thing

(((( I have tried every which way to hold the pen etc...but nothing I have tried works. I find myself concentrating more on self defense than burning. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......any suggestions? Am I somehow not connecting these things correctly or holding the pen improperly or am I just a goon???

All I know is I have enough blisters that I decided it was time to seek help. I know, whine whine whine;/

Pyrographer · #2 03-30-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanna

I have a Colwood Detail Burner and the kind of pens where you can take the pen off the cord and you can change tips on the pen. Where the pen connects to the cord there is a brass looking fitting on each part...male/female...to connect the two. It is a simple push pen type thing. Anyway, once the two parts are joined the brass parts are still showing...about 3/8 inch or so, and that area gets HOT.

When I am burning the web between my finger and thumb constantly hits that darn thing(((( I have tried every which way to hold the pen etc...but nothing I have tried works. I find myself concentrating more on self defense than burning. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......any suggestions? Am I somehow not connecting these things correctly or holding the pen improperly or am I just a goon???

All I know is I have enough blisters that I decided it was time to seek help. I know, whine whine whine;/

It sounds like you have interchangeable tips which I hate (at least the Colwood). I'm not sure I understand what the problem is because I'm not sure how your hand or fingers are anywhere near any of the connections, either at the end of the pen or at this tip where it connects, but if I am understanding the tip and pen body connection is not fitting properly and not an uncommon problem.

I guess my recommendation is to switch to fixed tip pens.

I know interchangeable tips are cheaper, but they are not very good and in some brands, such as Colwood you may not get even heat distribution because of ill fitting connections. When I stopped using them my frustration level decreased drastically. Of course I also switched to Razertip so that helped even more....

Oops , I just re-read your message. I think your saying the problem is at the point where the pen and cord connect. If this is the case I believe your problem is being caused by the fact that Colwood uses standard cords rather than heavy duty cords

. This was another reason I ditched my Colwood for Razertip. I usually recommend that people switch out their cord for a heavy duty cord and it has solved the problem for most people. If it doesn't help you can, of course get yourself a new burner.....

Nedra

Wolf Kiessling · #3 03-30-2007, 10:34 AM

I have the same burner and also the interchangeable tip pens. I know exactly what you are talking about because I experience the same thing.

My remedy, to date, has been to change my grip on the pen somewhat, but, as you yourself have experience, this is not very satisfactory. My best solution so far has been to wear a glove.

I have also considered wrapping something around the hot area, like maybe electrians tape, slip a neoprene sleeve over the offending area but have never actually tried this. The heat may make a mess of the wrapping, I don't know. Anyway, the glove for me has worked very well...........

Hanna · #4 03-30-2007, 03:12 PM

Wolf......sorry you know what I am talking about;/ Its the pits isn't it?

The burner was a gift from my husband who passed away before I even got a chance to use it so I am not keen on ditching it, even if I could afford to do so..which I can't so the burner stays. I do wish I had been able to research the purchase and found this site prior to, but.....here I am so;/

I pick the pen up and I look at it and it seems my hand is a long way away from that area, but next thing I know.......OUCH!! I cannot imagine why they would not cover that....its NUTS.

As to the pens. I do not understand this fixed tip thing. It sounds like the tips are not interchangeable?? yet you talk about using different tips. Do you have an entire pen/tip assembly for each different type of tip you use, and would these connect differently to the cord so this hot spot is not there? AND, can different types of pens......like razortip, be used with this burner?

Wolf Kiessling · #5 03-30-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanna

Wolf......sorry you know what I am talking about;/ Its the pits isn't it?

The burner was a gift from my husband who passed away before I even got a chance to use it so I am not keen on ditching it, even if I could afford to do so..which I can't so the burner stays. I do wish I had been able to research the purchase and found this site prior to, but.....here I am so;/

I pick the pen up and I look at it and it seems my hand is a long way away from that area, but next thing I know.......OUCH!! I cannot imagine why they would not cover that....its NUTS.

As to the pens. I do not understand this fixed tip thing. It sounds like the tips are not interchangeable?? yet you talk about using different tips. Do you have an entire pen/tip assembly for each different type of tip you use, and would these connect differently to the cord so this hot spot is not there? AND, can different types of pens......like razortip, be used with this burner?

Actually, Hanna, I'm pretty happy with the Colwood burner and pens. In my case, it's just the opposite of yours, my wife bought the system. However, I also used it while she was still alive. Anyway, IMHO, it's a pretty reliable system that stands up to use. I know a lot of people that use it.....

As to the heat, a lot of the other systems have the same problem. Like I mentioned, when it gets really bothersome I just use a glove and that takes care of the problem.

There are two types of pens that can be used with these woodburners. They are the fixed tip pens and interchangeable tip pens. As the name states, the fixed tip pens are a single unit and when you want to change to a different type of tip, you simply change the whole thing out as one unit. The interchangeable tip pens come in two parts. You buy the handpiece and then as many tips as you want and change the tips as you need to. The handpiece stays attached to the burner unit. I have three hand pieces and about 15 or so different types of tips. This way, when I'm working on a project, I have the three tips, that I use the most, installed in the three handpieces and change the whole unit out as required.

Many of your hardcore woodburners don't like the interchangeable tip pens. I have heard several reasons why they espouse the fixed tip pens and a lot of it has to do with, I think, oxidation setting in between the handpiece and tip and some other reasons I can't remember. The problem is, when you break one of the tips, as I do quite often, it costs you about 12 or 13 bucks to replace it whereas with the interchangeable tips it only cost you about 6. I don't know how accurate these prices are as I haven't had to replace any in a couple of years but you get the idea.

In any case, the fixed tip and interchangeable tip pens connect to the burner in the same manner. You will not get rid of the "hot spot". Unless you are a really hardcore pyrographer, I would suggest you stay with the system you have because it is really pretty good. Try using a glove. It is a little cumbersome at first but you get used to it in a few minutes......

Hanna · #6 03-30-2007, 04:20 PM

Thanks Wolf. I will take your advice.

Pyrographer · #7 03-30-2007, 05:21 PM

Hi Hanna,
in response to your question regarding the use of other pens on your burner the answer is yes. You can use Razertip on your burner by changing the cord. This will also solve the problem of having a standard cord and better heat distribution.

A lot of your questions can be answered on my website. I have a tutorial called Pyrography 101 http://www.nedraspyrography.com/Pyrography101.htm and there is one specific for Razertip pens. It answers questions about fixed tip vs interchangeable.

Wolf, I do have to disagree that it's not just hard core pyrographers that prefer fixed tip pens. Interchangeable tips are really intended only for intermittent use so perhaps for the carver using it sporadically on a carving yes, it might be fine. It is also much easier to change the fixed tip pens than it is with the Colwood interchangeable that require you to use a tool to pull them off and then put another one on when the pen is cool. Pens like the Razeritp just pop on and off and I don't even bother turning it off. So, while more expensive they are more efficient, better heat distribution and most important is that the material of the tips is better and requires less cleaning. That's coming from a hard core burner.

As for cost of broken tips. I have no idea what Colwood does but Razertip has a 1 year warranty on all Fixed tip pens. That's an unconditional warranty. If, after 1 year the tip breaks just return it to them with $5.00 and they will fix or replace it.

I used to have a Colwood and I have used just about every brand of burner and pens. The Colwood pens get hotter than most and the cord is a big part of that problem. Simple to correct and perhaps will help ease the pain.

You don't have to be hard core to want or expect better performance and if you can accomplish that with changing the cord and getting better pens it might be worth it. I realize I'm a hard core burner but I can't imagine trying to burn with a glove on.

Nedra

Wolf Kiessling · #8 04-01-2007, 05:28 PM

Nedra, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. BTW, when I used the term "hard core" wood burner, I was not trying to be disrespectful, I was merely trying to differentiate between one who burns a lot and one who does very little, like myself.

I will agree that it is much easier to change to whole pen than just trying to change to tip and that is why I mentioned I have three tip holders. I do keep the three tips I use the most on any given project and then I simply change the whole thing. Like you, I don't even bother turning the unit off. On any given project, I rarely use more than three tips. I would have had to spend a lot more money to buy fixed tip pens to make up the 12 or 15 tips I have.

The other point I was trying to make, since she already has the Colwood equipment, why bother getting rid of it and buy something else. I suppose if the cord on the Colwood can be easily changed, I haven't bothered to check if it is or no, then I suppose that might be a good idea. Again, it depends just on how much someone would use the equipment.

I have seen your work and it is extremely impressive and you do a lot of it. In that case, I can see why you would want the very best there is. In your shoes, I would probably do the same. However, things being as they are, I will keep my Colwood because it does a very satisfactory job of what I ask it to do. I many other believe other Colwood users would agree.

Also, when I am on a lengthy burning such as texturing an animal and I am having to contend with high heat, it is absolutely no problem to put on the glove. I get used to it after just a few minutes and it definitely saves from the pain.

Pyrographer · #9 04-01-2007, 05:59 PM

Wolf, I think you misunderstood. I did not suggest she get rid of her burner, I was suggesting alternatives such as replacing the cord. That is usually the first course of action which as I previously mentioned usually solves a lot of the hot pen problems. If not, changing to fixed tip pens might be another option. Perhaps you misunderstood my humor for trying to suggest she buy another burner.

Nedra

Eddy Smiles · #10 04-01-2007, 08:24 PM

Wow! You all got me to thinking. I have a Detailer and had never paid much mind to that heat source. I guess my pain level must be high. Anyway, I plugged in my unit, turned it on and just let it sit for awhile. I see where there might be some concern. I checked the Coldwood website and it appears that for whatever reason they sell the unit under three seperate stock numbers for #14, #16 and #18 guage cords. By the size of my cord I would guess that I have a #16 and if thats what you have Hanna then looking into getting a heavier duty cord might be the best way to go. It looks like Coldwood wants around $16.00 plus the S&H for their 14 guage wire cord. That's a lot cheaper than a new unit.

However, in the interim, if you have a spare cork shield you can slip it over the end of the cord that receives the handpiece. The cord is the female side and the handpiece the male side. Then plug in the handpiece and slip the cork up to cover the connection...Voila! Problem solved.

I understand Nedra's concerns about the Coldwood and was advised against buying a Coldwood myself by my pyrography instructor but at the time I wasn't prepared to spend the extra money for one of the higher end units. Since then I have been satisfied with the Coldwood's performace and will probably not change it out until it either dies or I win the lottery. Also I think that both the level of use and the level of expertise by the user has a lot to do with overall satisfaction and performance. I only spend a fraction of my time wood burning in comparison to carving and painting and my work is not as detailed as say, Nedra's is. Thus, I'm satisfied with a Coldwood and a more experienced involved pyrographer might not be.