Lettering

[Eddy-Smiles]

I have a Coldwood Detailer and I just finished a project which entailed some lettering, actually outlining the letters. This is the first time that I have used this wood burner on a project like this although I have done similar projects in the past using an old fashion iron (Walnut Hollow vintage). My question is... does anyone have a favorite tip for this type of work. I only have a few and I used a BU100 (as sold by Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers) and I wasn't entirely satisfied with the results. Granted, the wood was kind of funky ranging from very, very soft in spots to extremely hard in others but I just couldn't seem to control my strokes. Suggestions requested.

[Pyrographer]

Originally Posted by Eddy Smiles

I have a Coldwood Detailer and I just finished a project which entailed some lettering, actually outlining the letters. This is the first time that I have used this wood burner on a project like this although I have done similar projects in the past using an old fashion iron (Walnut Hollow vintage). My question is... does anyone have a favorite tip for this type of work. I only have a few and I used a BU100 (as sold by Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers) and I wasn't entirely satisfied with the results. Granted, the wood was kind of funky ranging from very, very soft in spots to extremely hard in others but I just couldn't seem to control my strokes. Suggestions requested.

If you are just outlining letters all you need is perhaps one of the Razertip pens. Depending on the size of the lettering one of the #9 writing tips. The new 9P I had made is excellent for line outlining. The other option is the #99 ball tips. They have made two new ones for me....08 mm and 1.1 mm that will do a great job for fine lines. The ball tips glide over the wood so may work better on your "funky" wood. You can see photos of them on my site. http://www.nedraspyrography.com/RazertipPenStore.htm.

Since you have the detailer you would have to get an adaptor to use the pens with your burner but you can use Razertip on your burner. If you prefer, however, you can use a replacement cord which will give you better results than an adaptor. The cords and adaptors are on the main Razertip page.

Nedra

[Eddy-Smiles]

Nedra... Thanks for the tip. I appreciate your input. However, I was hoping to get some advice from a Coldwood user. It sounds like if I went your suggested route that I'd end up spending close to half again what I paid for the burner in the first place. I was thinking that perhaps someone who uses Coldwood could reccomend one of their standard tips. My woodburning skills have a lot to be desired and I don't do a lot of woodburning so I've tried to keep my pen collection down to the bare necessities. Thanks again.

[Pyrographer]

Originally Posted by Eddy Smiles

Nedra... Thanks for the tip. I appreciate your input. However, I was hoping to get some advice from a Coldwood user. It sounds like if I went your suggested route that I'd end up spending close to half again what I paid for the burner in the first place. I was thinking that perhaps someone who uses Coldwood could reccomend one of their standard tips. My woodburning skills have a lot to be desired and I don't do a lot of woodburning so I've tried to keep my pen collection down to the bare necessities. Thanks again.

Eddy, I wasn't actually suggesting you buy new pens, just look at what I have and compare and perhaps it will give you ideas of what you can do with what you have.

I personally only use 3 pens so you don't need a lot to do good burning. Unlike carvers who need all kinds of knives and gauges (or so my hubby tells met) you really don't need much to do a lot with woodburning. Happy

Nedra

[Eddy-Smiles]

Nedra... My humblest apologies! That's exactly what I thought that you were trying to say but ironically, another new thread concerning Coldwood burners showed up on the forum and while I was trying to help that fellow I compared what you had recommended against my Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers Supply catalog and "voila," enlightenment! Your suggestion about the ball pen sounds like it's just what I need because gliding over the wood is way more preferable than the digging in that I'm experiencing. The catalog says that they have Optima Ball Point Pens ranging from 1/16" to 1/8" that can be used with the Colwood. Thanks for your input. It really came in handy! Now I know where I should go from here...whether I get there or not is the subject of an entirely different thread!

By the way.... your husband is absolutely correct. It doesn't matter how many knives, chisels or gouges you own, you never have exactly the right one to do the job.... basic law of carving!

[Pyrographer]

Originally Posted by Eddy Smiles

Nedra... My humblest apologies! That's exactly what I thought that you were trying to say but ironically, another new thread concerning Coldwood burners showed up on the forum and while I was trying to help that fellow I compared what you had recommended against my Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers Supply catalog and "voila," enlightenment! Your suggestion about the ball pen sounds like it's just what I need because gliding over the wood is way more preferable than the digging in that I'm experiencing. The catalog says that they have Optima Ball Point Pens ranging from 1/16" to 1/8" that can be used with the Colwood. Thanks for your input. It really came in handy! Now I know where I should go from here...whether I get there or not is the subject of an entirely different thread!

By the way.... your husband is absolutely correct. It doesn't matter how many knives, chisels or gouges you own, you never have exactly the right one to do the job.... basic law of carving!

Razertip has more sizes on the ball tips and as a matter of fact there are two new ones that I mentioned before that are .08 mm & 1.1 mm...they will fit on the colwood with an adaptor. I had one customer who bought the very first new .08 email me and drooled over how it "glides over the wood like ice skates" to quote her.

Yes, I know you carvers are all alike, you can never have too many toys.

Nedra