New to the art of pyrography

[ElizaLeahy]

I first bought one of those cheap ones - you know, the ones that when they arrive you realise you just bought a soldering iron ;)<br><br>So I bought the second cheap one&nbsp; - the unbranded red ones that get very hot...<br><br>Did manage to do some of these for the chicken market <br><br><img src="http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=455720&stc=1" attachmentid="455720" alt="" id="vbattach_455720" class="previewthumb"><br><br>But I thought that I should get something more professional that is nicer to use.&nbsp; I found an Ironcore on marketplace so bought that.&nbsp; Tips are very limited!&nbsp; I got 20.... all the same.&nbsp; So I gather I have to shape them myself?<br><br>Already I'm not really that happy with it.&nbsp; I find the point too far away from my hand so details are much harder (especially when you have a tremor).<br><br>Now the problem I have is that all other brands are a long way away so I can't get to them and try them.&nbsp; I'm in Australia.&nbsp; I like the look of the Walnut Hollow, but it's not in Australia and would take a long time to get here.&nbsp; I am looking at the Razertip and the Burnmaster but need some feedback please!<br><br>Things I am afraid I will regret - that, like the ironcore, the heated tip will be a long way from the handle. That extra tips seem to be awfully expensive!&nbsp; Especially with the Razertip&nbsp; -$42 for a tip - do they come with the pen, fixed on, so you change pens with each tip instead of just changing tips?&nbsp; But then they hare a set of tips with no explaination on how to change the tip.<br><br>I'm hoping to sell enough of the "breed boards" to the lovely chicken ladies (I'm one too, so no negative jokes about chickens please!&nbsp; We know we are crazy ;) )&nbsp; to make a purchase worthwhile.<br><br>And drat it, the wood show was in March and I wasn't even thinking of Pyrography then!<br><br>Thanks for any advice :)

[ElizaLeahy]

I'm sorry, are recommendations of tools not allowed?

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Sorry, Eliza... one glance at the formatting of your original post did my head in, so it was relegated to "I'll try reading it later. If I remember."

I have a twin output Burnmaster (great for when you're constantly swapping between two tips) and rather old Razertip hand-pieces, which I like as I can make my own tips from the heating coils of old blow-heaters and simply screw them in..

Yes, the newer hand-pieces have fixed tips - which partly explains the cost - but as they unplug from the end of the cable it's quicker, easier (and less chance of burnt fingers) to switch out the hand-piece instead of just the tip.

Either way, they're unlike your old iron-core. The hand-pieces are lightweight and the grip is quite close to the tip for fine control.

My complaint about the fixed tips is that I don't know which tips will do what I want until I've actually sat down and used them. Marketing descriptions and what I can actually accomplish often seem to be at odds... :sigh:

[ElizaLeahy]

ARGAH I wrote it all, hit the "post" and it said "unable to post, try again later". I waited a few moments, hit "post" again and this is what happened :(

[ElizaLeahy]

I think I'll head for a razer tip. You can get a handle for it that allows you to screw in tips (which they sell in sets or individually) and also allows you to make your own. It's more expensive, but I think it will be a life long tool.

[Bauldy]

I have a Razer tip, and while I do not use it a lot, I consider it the best of what was locally available.
Yes the handles/Tips are expensive, but they are easy to change.
I only commonly use a few so it wasn't an issue. (Although I did find some cheap ones at a closing down sale once and stocked up)

I originally purchased from Carrolls, a Forum Sponsor, and they were very helpful with advice and assistance and I highly recommend them.

I don't think you will go wrong with this model.

Bauldy

[Wood Collector]

I have a razer tip and quite like it. I mainly use a writing tip, skew tip and curved bottom shader. Can't remember the proper name for it. Not trying to promote my woodwork business but if you go to Pat's Fine Furniture on Facebook you can see some photos of the work that I have done with mine. I think you will find that you enjoy it more as your fingers are closer to the tip but not too close that you can burn yourself.