[MommaF8]

Dear Folks,
I just found this site & BOY am I happy!
I'm a Catholic homeschooling mother of 7 (3 still at home!); Air Force wife; & artist. Recently moved to Fairchild AFB, Wa, just outside of Spokane.
I've been an artist for 20+ years, but just recently got into woodburing.
My question is what are the best types of wood? Any that y'all recommend I stay away from?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Kim aka "Momma"

[Irish]

Hi MommaF8,

Welcome to the forum!

My favorite if I am doing a "drawing" type burning is 1/4" birch plywood. For me it gives a very even burn across the board and can then be easily incorporated into any project. The more intregate the design the more I tend to not grain birch. Because birch is harder then basswood the initial burning is not too dark and can slowly be developed in color. You can obtain birch plywood with some really wild grain patterns that enhance your work with the right pattern!

I also love plain ol' white pine. Burning really enchances the grain patterns in pine and the final design just dances up and down across the wood as it moves from one type of grain into another.

With wood burning it is not so much what to burn as what not to ... personally I don't burn woods that I don't know their origins. Burning can release toxins from wood that has been treated or sealed with chemicals as it can with painted woods.

Susan

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Kim....er....Momma,

First thing that you should carve is a medal for yourself! Homeschooling 7 kids, put up with an "pigeon".....er... air-force type, for a husband, all that armed forces moving and stuff and surviving ....you should have awarded you a medal years ago!!!

Welcome aboard ma'm.......lots of great folks here that can help you with burning questions. They're the best!

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

About the only wood I have burned is basswood, but found the smoke really bothers me...wear a mask and if possible get a desktop fan/filter......sure beats getting sick!

[Pyrographer]

Hi Kim, Nedra here from Olympia. My favorite woods are basswood and Italian poplar. I prefer a light colored wood to show a nice contrast with the dark burning. These woods are easy to burn and the fumes minimal if you burn with a moderate temperature, which is what I usually recommend. The italian poplar is a plywood and is great if you want to frame your project

[Colin_Partridge]

Welcome aboard looks like you can still find time to do a little woodcarving or burning. I just wanted to say welcome the only thing I use my woodburner for is to sign my carvings. ( I know expensive pen) Hope you can let us see some of your work.
Colin

[Pyrographer]

Hi Colin, thanks for the welcome. I'm not sure how to post any of my work here but you can certainly see them on my website www.nedraspyrography.com

Nedra

[wade clark]

Nedra,
Went to your website and WOW! You're good! I guess the blue ribbons already told you that though! Beautiful work!
Wade

[Hugh]

Nedra, had a look at your site, great work. Ran right into one of my favourite characters, John Wayne.
Kim, if your going to burn, consider a a large fan to blow the smoke away so you don't inhale it. I have a celing fan close to my burning station, but any fan to move the air would be fine.

[BobD]

Welcome aboard Nedra!!! It's great to see you've found our little corner of the web!!!!
Bob