WOODBURNING TOOLS

                    EQUIPMENT

 Traditional pyrography can be performed using any heated metal implement. Modern pyrography machines exist, and can be divided into three main categories.

                                   SOLID-TIP BURNERS

   Solid-point burners are similar in design to a soldering iron. They have a solid brass tip which is heated by an electrical element, and operate at a fixed temperature.

EXAMPLES: Walnut Hollow Versa-Tool—Dremel VersaTip—Wall Lenk

                                WIRE-TIP BURNERS

   Wire-nib burners have variable temperature controls. The writing nib is heated by an electric current passing directly through it. Some models have interchangeable nibs to allow for different effects.

EXAMPLES: Colwood—Optima—Razortip—Burnmaster—Nibsburner—Detail Master

                                     LASER CUTTERS

    Laser cutters can be set to scorch the material instead of cutting all the way through it. Many laser cutters provide software facilities to import image files and transfer them onto a sheet of wood. Some laser systems are sufficiently sensitive to perform pyrography on thin card or even paper.