Burning on Wood, Chipboard, Leather – Pyrography

Writing Burning on Wood, Chipboard, Leather – Pyrography

In our previous article, Writing on Wood, Metal, Plastics & more – Engravers, we explored the various tools used for the engraving onto surfaces. This was mostly achieved with tools that adopt a similar method: a rotary tool that rotates an engraving bit and can be used to “cut” letters, numbers and drawings on surfaces.

This method, although fast and sometimes desired, can present a host of difficulties in regards to the quality of finish as well as ease of use. One can especially witness this when trying to engrave on solid wood. Because the engraver bits are rotating against the surface to make the cuts, accuracy and precision are at many times compromised. This is when pyrography may be a worthwhile option to look into.

Pyrography can be briefly explained as the art of freehand drawing on wood and another surface with the use of burn marks produced by a controlled heat source against the surface.

While many may begin Pyrography by using a rudimentary device found in most households, this could be by use of a soldering iron or paraffin-filled blow torch. The finish on these is mostly compromised by the inability to control the amount of heat used, as well as by the general ergonomics of these tools in a user’s hand.

Just as we found with the engravers the German Hobbyist professionals, Dremel, have manufactured two innovative and highly useful pyrography solutions.

Dremel VersaTip (2000-6)

A great tool to use for several functions by simply switching out the various tips which are included in the kit. One can use the Dremel VersaTip for soldering, melting, shrinking, hot-cutting and especially for Pyrography. The size and design of this tool makes it as easy to hold and as natural to the palm as a pen. The Dremel VersaTip is powered by simply refilling the tool with ordinary butane gas, making it very portable as one need not worry about lugging an extension cord all of the workshops.

Dremel VersaFlame (2200-4)

Much like the VersaTip, this Dremel VersaFlame can also be used to accomplish a large variety of functions. The design of the VersaFlame makes it very much similar to the conventional blow torch. Except for being a lot more portable and also with the introduction of heat control, the Dremel VersaFlame is the perfect solution for pyrography on larger surfaces where one does not need to make precise and thin burns. However, the Dremel VersaFlame does come with the tips necessary for finer pyrography work.