Artist’s Pyrography Machine manual

1 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

The points get very hot and can start a fire if mis-used. Do not use the pyrography machine near highly inflammable materials or liquids and polishes which produce inflammable vapours. NEVER let the hot point touch the mains cable as it could quickly burn through the insulation. Keep all cables clear of the work area. Do not lay the pen down - get into the habit of storing it in the clip on the power unit. Keep the hot point clear of your skin and clothing.

Take adequate precautions to avoid breathing fumes and smoke. A small desk fan is the minimum requirement. Ensure adequate room ventilation. If you suffer from any respiratory complaint take specialist advice. Fans with carbon filters are available. Do not breath in fumes from burning plastic or synthetic materials. Avoid using which has been coated with a synthetic polish or . Burning some fabrics, leather or cork may produce harmful fumes so take suitable precautions.

Always ensure children and people with learning difficulties are correctly supervised when the machine is in operation. Machine cables must be kept clear of the working area at all times and the ventilation slots free from obstruction.

Do not leave the machine switched on unattended. Protect the unit from damp and rain. Do not use if wet.

Do not let the terminals touch together, short out against a metal object, or touch the case of the control unit. The control unit will be damaged if subjected to prolonged short circuits.

Do not open the case of the control unit without first disconnecting the machine from the Mains. Live terminals are exposed inside. Do not attempt to service the control unit without specialist knowledge.

Do not use the control unit to power any other appliance. The pen will not work from 12 volts or from any other transformer. Do not use the pyrography machine for any other purpose than pyrography.

Cover illustration objects kindly provided by Bob Neill. GETTING STARTED Points Please read the safety precautions before The standard fine loop is best for general first use. Before switching on, make sure work but the spoon shape point is good the point is not touching anything and for shading and the edge of the spoon is turn the heat control knob to minimum. very useful for special textured effects or fine lines. Switch on then slowly advance the heat control clockwise until the point glows a Setting the heat dull red. Too high a setting can quickly burn out a fine point. The heat control is normally left at one setting and the depth of burning varied Practice strokes on a scrap piece of by using different speeds of stroke. smooth white . The technique The best heat control setting will be for producing evenly burnt lines is determined after a little practice and quickly acquired. The secret is light depends on the individual’s technique. and even pressure combined with even Most users keep the point at a dull red speed of stroke. Notice that any slight heat. Too much heat makes the point bend easily and can give fuzzy outlines. hesitation during the stroke will result in a “blob” because the depth of burning, or Some users blow on the point to cause the width of a line, depends on contact a temporary reduction in temperature time rather than pressure. rather than fiddle with the knob. If you want a thick line, move the point The setting is the number at the top of the dial. The numbers on the dial are slowly to give the point time to burn the only intended as a rough guide to help wood. If you want a fine line move the you remember your favourite settings. point quickly using very little pressure, They are not calibrated in any way and starting and finishing the stroke in the can vary from machine to machine. air to avoid a blob at the beginning or Older models may give a different tip end of a stroke. Never press hard as this temperature for a given setting on the will bend the point (you can bend it back dial. Thicker points need a higher setting using pliers). to get a given temperature. The general rule is you should be able to see the point See how many different effects and glowing red but if it is a bright orange or textures you can obtain by various yellow, turn it down. different ways of applying the point to the material. The beauty of pyrography is SOURCES OF PATTERNS AND in the rich palette of different shades of DESIGNS brown obtainable, which give a subtlety It is not necessary to be a talented artist to the image not available in other to do pyrography. Even if you are not mediums such as pen and ink which are adept at freehand drawing you can copy limited to one tone. designs and line drawings from books

3 etc. You can trace designs and transfer Veneer them to the wood using carbon An excellent surface is sycamore veneer or preferably graphite paper. You can stuck onto a rigid backing such as MDF. zoom designs up and down in size using You can use iron-on glue film or contact a photocopier. If you place a photocopy adhesive to mount the veneer. You can or laser printed sheet face down on the carbon paper or preferably graphite buyveneer veneer stuck and onto glue a rigid film backing from specialist such wood you can transfer the design by paper. You can zoom designs up and veneeras MDF. suppliers. You can use iron-on glue film “ironing”down in using size using a domestic a photocopier. iron. This If or contact adhesive to mount the worksyou placebecause a photocopy the ink (or or toner) laser melts Boughtveneer. Youobjects can buy veneer and glue withprinted heat. sheetTransfer face the down minimum on the woodneeded film from specialist veneer suppliers. toyou give can you transfer a guide the to thedesign pattern. by You You can decorate finished items such cannot"ironing" get ridusing of excessa domestic toner. iron. This asBought cheese objects boards and wooden spoons works because the ink (or toner) boughtYou can from decorate kitchen finished shops itemsor from such MATERIALSmelts with heat. FOR Transfer PYROGRAPHY the specialistas cheese boardspyrography and woodensuppliers. spoons Usually minimum needed to give you a guide youbought will from need kitchen to smooth shops the or surface from with The machine can be used on wood, to the pattern. You cannot get rid of finespecialist pyrography before suppliers.you use it. leather,excess cork toner. and certain plastics and Usually you will need to smooth the fabrics.MATERIALS It can be FOR used PYROGRAPHY for shaping, Leathersurface with fine sandpaper before you weldingThe machine or cutting can thermoplastics be used on wood, and use it. toolingleather, cork models and certain provided plastics there and is LeatherLeather can be easily worked and gives adequatefabrics. fumeIt can extraction.be used for shaping, aLeather good contrast. can be easily Use light worked coloured and welding or cutting thermoplastics vegetable-tannedgives a good contrast. tooling Use leather light if you Woodand tooling wax models provided cancoloured obtain vegetable-tanned it. Do not breath tooling the fumes. there is adequate fume extraction. leather if you can obtain it. Do not The best wood to use is a hard white Wood Corkbreath the fumes. wood such as sycamore, , holly, The best wood to use is a hard white Cork hornbeam or boxwood. The harder the Cork mats or sheets of self adhesive wood such as sycamore, maple, Cork mats or sheets of self adhesive surfaceholly, is,hornbeam the better or the boxwood. result. Dark The cork applied to a firm substrate offer an alternativecork applied surface to a firm and substrate can give offervery woodsharder can the be surface used but is, theythe better will not the an alternative surface and can give striking results. giveresult. such Dark good contrast. can Good be used results but very striking results. arethey difficult will not to give achieve such goodon contrast. Good results are difficult to achieve CHANGING THE POINTS () because it is so soft and the resin CHANGING THE POINTS gumson softwood up the point. (pine) Wood because which it isdarkens so soft and the resin gums up the point. with age such as fruitwood (eg apple, Wood which darkens with age such cherrywood) will gradually lose contrast. as fruitwood (eg apple, cherrywood) will gradually lose contrast. PlywoodPlywood A good,A good, economical economical material material to topractice onpractice is on is birch obtainable plywood from DIY To change a wire point proceed as stores.obtainable Choose from a hard, DIY whitestores. sheet. Choose Birch a To change a wire point proceed as follows : is hard,rather white soft however, sheet. Birch and is it rather is difficult soft tohowever, achieve fine and itdetail. is difficult to achieve SwitchSwitch offoff andand allowallow to coolcool forfor aa shortshort fine detail. while. Loosen the terminal screws taking care not to bend the terminal Veneer 4 An excellent surface is sycamore support struts. Remove the old point

4 and replace with the new point or The coil develops a lot of heat for alternatively replace with a short heavy burning of large projects such as loop of wire. house nameplate lettering. Used just The wire must above the surface it can be used to be clamped "toast" the wood to give a soft edged while. Loosen the terminalbetween screws the taking burningburn of mark.large projects such as house andcare replace not to bendwith the newterminal point support or strut Thenameplate coilThe develops speciallettering. a lot points Usedof heat just for described above the in the alternativelystruts. Remove replace the old withand point a the short and nut, replace heavysurface followingburning it can of be large usedpages projects to “toast” have such theto as wood be made by loopwith of the wire. new point ornot alternatively under the houseto give you.nameplate a soft edged lettering. burn Used mark. just replace with a short The wire must aboveThe the special surface points it can described be used into the screw head. Tighten theloop terminal of wire. " " MAKING YOUR OWN POINTS be clamped toastfollowing the wood pages to havegive ato soft be madeedged by you. screws taking great care not to bend burn mark. Thebetween wire themust be You can purchase the special wire (an terminal strut The special points described in the the terminal support struts.clamped Squeeze between MAKINGalloy ofYOUR nickel OWN and POINTS chromium called and the nut, following pages have to be made by the point into shape withthe terminalpliers ifstrut not under the you.You Nichrome) can purchase thein specialvarious wire thicknesses (an and and the nut, not under the screw head. needed.screw You head. can Tighten buy athe spare terminal pencil MAKINGalloymake of nickel YOUR your and OWN ownchromium POINTS points. called Use only Tighten the terminal screws taking great to holdscrews a different taking great point care andnot to plugbend it YouNichrome) can purchase in various the special thicknesses wire (an care not to bend the terminal support Nichrome wire or you will damage the into thethe transformer terminal support when struts. neededSqueeze alloyand of make nickel your and own chromium points. calledUse only thestruts. point Squeeze into shape the pointwith pliersinto shape if with Nichrome)machine. in various You thicknesses will need and wire cutters, rather than having to continually Nichrome wire or you will damage the needed.pliers if You needed. can buyYou acan spare buy pencil a spare makemachine. yourfine own pointed-noseYou points. will need Use wire only pliers cutters, and possibly a changetopencil pointshold toa different hold on athe different point pencil. and point plug and it plug Nichromefinesmall pointed-nose wire hammer or you pliers will and damageand anvil.possibly the Thea anvil can into the transformer when needed it into the transformer when needed machine.small hammer You will and need anvil. wire The cutters, anvil can rather than having to continually be improvised using an head or rather than having to continually change finebe pointed-nose improvised usingpliers an and axe possibly head or a large POINTSchange AVAILABLE points on the pencil. large hammer head fixed in a vice. A points on the pencil. smallhammer hammer head and fixed anvil. in Thea vice. anvil A setcan of be improvised using an axe head or Currently only standard loops , needleset files of needle is useful filesfor shaping is useful points. for shaping POINTS AVAILABLE large hammer head fixed in a vice. A POINTS AVAILABLE Thepoints. wire is available The wire in small is available reels and in small spoon Currentlypoints and only coilsstandard are loops available , set of needle files is useful for shaping each reel can make 200 points or more. from usspoonCurrently but points only and standard coils are loops, available spoon points.reels The wire and is availableeach reel in smallcan make 200 points frompoints us and but coils are available. reels26 andS.W.G.or eachmore. (Standard reel 26 can S.W.G. make Wire 200Gauge) (Standard points is the Wire or finestmore. 26and S.W.G. 23 S.W.G. (Standard is the Wire thickest wire )whichGauge) is we the normally finest is theand supply. 23finest S.W.G. Note and is that 23 S.W.G. is thethe thickest thesmaller thickest wire the which S.W.G. wire we number normally which is - thewe normally supply.thickersupply. Note is the that wire. Note the smaller that the the smaller the S.W.G. number is - the thicker is the S.W.G. number is - the thicker is the wire.MAKING LOOP POINTS MAKINGwire. LOOP POINTS PP10 PP11 PP30 PP50 To make a standard point, cut off 30mm To make a standard point (PP10), cut Fine Medium Spoon coil (1¼”)MAKING of 26 S.W.G. LOOP wire and POINTS bend it in PP10 PP11 PP30 PP50 off 30mm (1¼") of 26 S.W.G. wire and the fingers into a U shape. Fix it into the Fine see Mediumthe latest price Spoon list available coil on bend it Toin the make fingers a intostandard a U shape. point (PP10), cut request. Fixterminals it intooff the30mm so terminals it can (1 be¼ so securely") it of can 26 be held S.W.G. by wire and Most work can be done using the the screw clamps and tighten carefully see theMost lates workt price can be lis donet available using the on securelybend held itby inthe the screw fingers clamps andinto a U shape. standard loop or the spoon point. tightenso as carefullynot to strain so as the not terminal to strain supports. the standard loop or the spoon point. Fix it into the terminals so it can be request.NormallyNormally standard standard loopsloops areare usedused for terminalThen squeeze supports. the Then end squeezeof the loop the with Most detailworkdetail work work can and andbe thethedone spoonspoon using pointpoint istheis used endpliers of securelythe so loop that withthe held wire pliers touchesby so the that together screwthe atclamps and usedfor shading. for shading. The edgeThe edge of the of spoon the point wirethe touches tightenend for together about carefully 3mm at the (1/8”). endso forasThis not will to strain the standard loop or the spoon point. about 3mm (1/8"). This will spooncan be point used canfor befine used lines, for fur,fine feathers, concentrateterminal the supports.heat at the end. Then squeeze the Normallylines,grass standardfur, etc. feathers, loops grass etc. are used for concentrate the heat at the end. Standardend ofloop the points loop can with be made pliers from so that the detail workThe coil and develops the spoona lot of heat point for heavyis 26, 25 or 24 SWG. Thicker wire is not used for shading. The edge of the 5 wire touches together at the end for spoon point can be used for fine 5 about 3mm (1/8"). This will lines, fur, feathers, grass etc. concentrate the heat at the end.

5 Standard loop points can be made It is difficult to burn straight from 26, 25 or 24 SWG. Thicker wire lines evenly because the point is not recommendedrecommendedStandard loopand and maypoints may overload can be madethe tendshammeredIt is to difficult dig flat into toat theburnthe soft straight parts machine.from 26, 25 or 24 SWG. Thicker wire tiplines and filedevenly to because a knife the point overloadStandard the machine. loop points can be made Itof is the difficult grain. to Ifburn a point straight made is not recommended and may edgetends profile, to dig lines into the soft parts POINTSfrom FOR 26, 25SOFTWOOD or 24 SWG. Thicker wire linesfrom evenly thicker because wire the such point as 23 POINTSoverload FOR the SOFTWOOD machine. canof be the drawn grain. much If a point made is not recommended and may tendsS.W.G., to dig is intohammered the soft parts flat at The resinous and uneven grain of morefrom evenly. thicker This wire such as 23 overloadThePOINTS resinous the machine. FORand uneven SOFTWOOD grain of of the grain. If a point made softwood (pine) is difficult to burn thepoint S.W.G.,tip is also is hammereduseful flat at POINTSsoftwoodThe FORresinous (pine) SOFTWOOD is and difficult uneven to grain burn of from thicker wire such as 23 evenly becausesoftwood the (pine)normal is difficult point to burn forthe feathering tip bird Theevenly resinous because and the uneven normal grain point of tends S.W.G., is hammered flat at evenly because the normal point carvings, shading and tends tosoftwoodto dig dig into into (pine) thethe soft softis difficult parts. parts. A to point A burn with a the tip tends to dig into the soft parts. A point withevenlylarge a area largebecause of areacontact the ofnormal will contact minimize point will this can produce interesting point with a large area of contact will minimizetendsdifficulty. this to digdifficulty. into A spoon the soft Apoint spoon parts. can A give good textures. minimize this difficulty. A spoon point with a large area of contact will point (PP30)results.point can (PP30) give cangood give results. good results. minimize this difficulty. A spoon points for heavy work The point willThe pointgum willup gumwith up burnt with burnt MoreMore heat heat is isgenerated generated inin the the point point if if pointThe point(PP30) will can gum give up good with results. burnt resin resin quickly and a piece of coarse Morean extra heat longis generated loop is bentin the back point on if an resin quicklyThequickly point and and will a gumpiece up of of withcoarse coarse burnt wire wool anMore extra heat long is generated loop is in bent the point back if on wire wool or a fine wire brush will be extraitself. long These loop can is bentbe made back from on itself. 23 SWG wire woolresinor a or finequickly a finewire and wirebrush a piece brushwill of be coarse willuseful be for anitself. extra These long loop can is be bent made back fromon 23 SWG useful for cleaning off the deposit. Thesewire can(minimum be made 40mm from length)23 SWG They wire useful forwirecleaning cleaning wool off or a the offfine deposit.the wire deposit. brush will be itself.wire These(minimum can be made40mm from length) 23 SWG They (minimumare best formed 40mm withlength) small They pliers are bestwhile usefulPOINTS for cleaning FOR off FINE the WORKdeposit. wire (minimum 40mm length) They POINTS FOR FINE WORK areformed bestred hot formedwith (to smallmake with pliersit easier small while to bend).pliers red hot It while is POINTS FORFOR FINE FINE WORK WORKStandard loop are best formed with small pliers while Standardpoints loop may be red(to ahot makegood (to ideait make easier to squeeze toit easierbend). the Itto point is bend). a good really It is Standard loop red hot (to make it easier to bend). It is Standardfiled loopor ground a goodidea to idea squeeze to squeeze the point reallythe point compact really pointspoints may may be be a good idea to squeeze the point really pointsdown may to be a filedneedle filedfiled or groundor ground or groundpoint. down Extremely down to a needle downto ato needlefine a needle lines point. can be point. Extremely 1 2 3 point. Extremelyproduced on a fineExtremely lines can fine be lines fine lineshard can wood be such 1 2 3 producedcan be produced on a on as boxwood with 1 2 3 producedharda hard wood wood on sucha such as these points. hardasboxwood wood boxwood suchwith with these Hammer the end thesepoints. points. Hammer compact whilst red hot, using pliers. It as boxwoodflat then with cut and Hammerthe end flat the then end cut might be thought that the current these points.file or grind to a compact whilst red hot, using pliers. It flatand filethen orcut grind and to would be shorted out where the loops Hammerpoint. the Asend the might be thought that the current file or grind to a touch and this may well happen with a point will be verya point. weak, As do the this point while wouldcompactwhilst be red shorted whilst hot, usingout red where pliers.hot, theusing It loopsmight pliers. be It flat point. then Ascut the and newly made point, but in a short time a mounted in the willpen beand very be carefulweak, touchmightthought and be this thatthought maythe current well that happen wouldthe current with be shorted a point will be veryfile weak, or grind do this to while a coating of oxide will form which do thisnot whileto break mounted it when in changing the pen and points be newlywouldout wheremade be shorted point,the loops but out touchin a where short and timethis the may a loops mounted in the point.pen and As be thecareful insulates the wire and then the point carefulPOINTS not to FORbreak FINE it when LINES changing AND coatingwell happenof oxide with will aform newly which made point, not to break it when changing points touchwill and brighten this mayup visibly. well happen with a point willpoints beFEATHERING very weak, do this while insulatesbut in athe short wire time and a thencoating the ofpoint oxide will POINTS FOR FINE LINES AND newlyAn made alternative point, heavy but duty in a point short can time a mounted inIt the is difficult pen and to burnbe careful straight lines willform brighten which up insulates visibly. the wire and then FEATHERING coatingbe made of oxide by winding will formthe wire which around a not to breakPOINTSevenly it when FOR because changingFINE the LINES point points tends AND to dig Anthe alternative point will heavy brighten duty up point visibly. can It is difficult to burn straight lines stout needle held in a vice, to produce FEATHERINGinto the soft parts of the grain. If a beinsulates made by the winding wire the and wire then around the pointa POINTSevenly FOR because FINE the LINES point tendsAND to dig Ana compactalternative coil. heavy The dutycoils pointshould can be point made from thicker wire such as stoutwill brightenneedle held up in avisibly. vice, to produce FEATHERINGintoIt is the difficult soft parts to ofburn the straight grain. Iflines a evenly closed up with pliers (while hot) to 23 S.W.G., is hammered flat at the tip a compactbe made coil. by windingThe coils the should wire bearound a point made from thicker wire such as Angive alternative maximum heavy heat. These duty points point are can It is difficultbecause to the burn point straight tends to linesdig into the closedstout up needle with heldpliers in (while a vice, hot) to produceto 23 S.W.G., is hammered flat at the tip be made by winding the wire around a evenly becausesoft parts theof the point grain. tends If a point to dig made givea compactmaximum coil. heat. The These coils points should are be stout6 needle held in a vice, to produce into the fromsoft thickerparts ofwire the such grain. as 23 If S.W.G., a is closed up with pliers (while hot) to give a compact coil. The coils should be point made from thicker wire such as 6 closed6 up with pliers (while hot) to 23 S.W.G., is hammered flat at the tip give maximum heat. These points are

6 capablecapable ofof quickly quickly burningburning thethe AA useful useful pointpoint for for fastfast shading shading ofof large large letteringlettering usedused onon househouse nameplatesnameplates areasareas isis a a heavyheavy gauge gauge coiledcoiled point,point, asas and similar work. They produce a previously described, which has been maximumand similar heat. work. These They points produce are capable a takespreviously skill to described, make but which is worth has the been textured effect (many parallel lines) filed or ground smooth. This takes skill of texturedquickly burningeffect (many the lettering parallel usedlines) effort.filed or groundA smoother smooth. surface This can takes be givenskill andcapableand thisthis of isis usefulquicklyuseful forfor burning producingproducing the totoA make makeuseful butbut point is is worthworth for fast thethe shading effort. effort. AAof large onfeather house effectsnameplates on decoy and similarbirds. The work. smootherto any point surface by polishing can be given with tovery any Theyletteringfeather produce effects used a texturedonon housedecoy effect nameplatesbirds. (manyThe fineareassmoother .is a heavysurface A gaugepolished can be coiled given point point, tois anyan as coilsandcoils similar cancan be be filedwork.filed smooth smooth They produce to to getget ridrid a ofof pointpreviouslypoint by by polishingpolishing described, withwith which veryvery fine hasfine been parallelthe textured lines) effect.and this Provided is useful that for the abrasive.advantage A because polished it pointpicks isup an less tar producingtexturedthe textured feathereffect effect. (many effects Provided parallel on decoy that lines) thebirds. andfiledabrasive. ash or groundfrom A polished the smooth. wood. point This is takesan skill removalandremoval this ofisof useful metalmetal doesfordoes producing not not weaken weaken advantagetoadvantage make but because because is worth itit picks thepicks effort. upup lessless A tartar The coils can be filed smooth to get rid thefeatherthe pointpoint effects tootoo muchmuch on decoy or or cut cut birds. throughthrough The it,it, andsmootherand ash ash fromfrom surface thethe wood. wood.can be given to any ofpoints the textured can be effect.filed and Provided cut as much that the POINTS FOR DECORATIVE coilspoints can can be be filed filed smooth and cut to as get much rid of POINTSpointPOINTS by polishing FORFOR DECORATIVEDECORATIVE with very fine removalas you likeof metal to produce does not special weaken shapes the PATTERNS theas you textured like to effect. produce Provided special that shapes the PATTERNSabrasive.PATTERNS A polished point is an pointandremovaland too effects.effects. much of metal ThinningThinning or cut does through downdown not weaken the theit, pointsend end advantage because it picks up less tar canoftheof be anyany point filed pointpoint too and will willmuch cut concentrateconcentrate asor cutmuch through as thethe you heatheat it,like and ash from the wood. in that area and make the point more to pointsinproduce that canarea special be and filed makeshapes and the cut and point as effects. much more POINTS FOR DECORATIVE efficient. It will also take less current Thinningasefficient. you like down It towill producethe also end take of special anyless pointcurrent shapes PATTERNS willfromandfrom concentrate effects. thethe power power Thinning the unit unit heat and and down in the thethat the handlehandle area end and makewillofwill any run therun point point cooler.cooler. will more concentrate efficient. the It heatwill also takeinBecauseBecause thatless areacurrent thethe and foldingfolding from make the oror the coiling coilingpower point upunitup more and theprocessefficient.process handle givesgives willIt will more runmore also cooler. electrical electricaltake less current resistance,fromresistance, the power thicker thicker unit wirewire and cancan the bebe handle used used Because the folding or coiling up process forwillfor thesethese run cooler.points points without without overloading overloading SmallSmall brandsbrands cancan bebe shapedshaped fromfrom wirewire gives more electrical resistance, thicker andSmall used brands for repeat can be decoration. shaped from These wire thetheBecause machine.machine. the EvenfoldingEven wirewire or coiling asas thickthick up asas 22 22 and used for repeat decoration. These are formed by using small pointed wireS.W.G.processS.W.G. can isbe isgives O.K. O.K.used more (it (itfor is is these availableelectricalavailable points toto without andare formedused for by repeat using decoration. small pointed These pliers and must be accurately made so overloadingspecialresistance,special order).order). thethicker machine. wire can be used arepliers formed and must by using be accurately small pointed made pliers so that the whole of the pattern touches forPOINTSPOINTS these points FORFOR SHADING SHADINGwithout overloading andthatSmall mustthe brands whole be accurately can of the be shapedpattern made fromtouchesso that wire evenly in use. 23 S.W.G. wire is needed POINTStheA large machine. FORarea of Even wire as thick as 22 theandevenly whole used in foruse.of therepeat 23 pattern S.W.G. decoration. toucheswire is These neededevenly A large area of for rigidity. SHADINGcontactS.W.G.contact withiswith O.K. thethe (it is available to inarefor use. rigidity.formed 23 S.W.G. by using wire small is needed pointed for wood is required rigidity.POINTS FOR LETTERING A specialwoodlarge areais order). required of pliersPOINTS and FORmust LETTERINGbe accurately made so for efficient These points have been hammered flat contactforPOINTS efficient with FOR the SHADING thatThese the points whole have of the been pattern hammered touches flat shading. A spoon whilePOINTSevenly hot in anduse.FOR then23 LETTERING S.W.G. cut or wire folded is needed over woodshading.A large is required area A spoon of while hot and then cut or folded over point (shaped like tofor give rigidity. a straight edge at the tip. They forcontactpoint efficient (shaped with the like SPOONS Theseto give points a straight have edge been at hammered the tip. They flat a miniature SPOONS canPOINTS be made FOR slightly LETTERING angled to left or shading.wooda miniature is A required spoon whilecan be hot made and slightly then cut angled or folded to left over or to teaspoon 2mm wide and listed as These points have been hammered flat pointforteaspoon efficient(shaped 2mm like wide a miniature and listed SPOONS as give a straight edge at the tip. They can PP30shading.PP30 inin ourour A spoon priceprice list) list) cancan be be usedused oror while hot and then cut or folded over teaspoon 2mm wide and listed as in our be made slightly angled to left or right apointa standardstandard (shaped point point like cancan bebe hammeredhammered to give a straight edge at the tip. They price list) can be used or a SPOONSstandard point for use in the same way as outaout miniature flatflat onon aa hardhard metalmetal anvilanvil suchsuch asas can be made slightly angled to left or cantheteaspoonthe be headhead hammered of of2mm aa hammer hammer wide out flat and heldheld onlisted inina aharda vice.asvice. metal anvilIfPP30If necessarynecessary such in our as theany priceany head sharpsharp list) of can edges edgesa hammer be canusedcan be be heldor inremoved aremoveda standard vice. If by bynecessary point rubbingrubbing can any onbeon abrasive hammeredabrasivesharp edges canpaper.outpaper. be flat removed on a hard by rubbingmetal anvil on abrasivesuch as paper.the head of a hammer held in a vice. If necessary any sharp edges can be A useful point for fast shading of large 77 areasremoved is a heavy by rubbing gauge coiledon abrasive point, paper. as previously described, which has been filed or ground smooth. This 7 7 pens. They can be filed to the exact width your masterpiece. Always try to keep required. pyrographs out of direct sunlight or the burnt marks will fade and the wood PREPARING THE WOOD SURFACE will darken. An alternative to sealers is Flat wooden surfaces should be planed a protective sheet of acrylic plastic or or scraped and well sanded. For best glass. You will have to use a frame of results by hand with a razor sharp some kind to keep the assembly together and finish by rubbing but these are readily obtainable. with the grain with 400 grit abrasive OUTDOOR PYROGRAPHY paper or cloth. If the surface has been machine planed, you first need to remove Technology has not yet devised the the ripple marks (made by the planer perfect outdoor clear varnish as any blades) with coarser abrasive. Try 240 boat owner will tell you. Pyrographs grit followed by 320 grit, then the 400 which have to survive outside should be grit. Wrap the paper around a small protected by the best outdoor varnish you to get best results. Our can buy. Even so they may have to be supplies catalogue lists re-varnished every couple of years or so. a large range of abrasive paper, cloth Pyrographs should be kept out of strong and abrasive nylon matting (Webrax). sunlight or the lighter marks will fade. Non-flat surfaces such as turned articles Lines that are burnt really black will be may also need to be sanded, again using reasonably fast to light but such things as coarse, medium and then fine abrasive house nameplates should be positioned paper. Veneer just needs sanding with out of the direct sun. 320 and then 400 grit paper. COLOURING PYROGRAPHY PROTECTING YOUR WORK Very pretty effects can be obtained using Your finished pyrograph should be dyes or in combination with your protected from dirt and the bleaching pyrography. You can use artists water effect of strong light. You need a coating colours, coloured pens, opaque paint which will seal the wood but not darken such as acrylic or which is it or yellow with age. We recommend transparent. The pyrographed lines tend to water based acrylic finishes because stop the colour from spreading or running. they are durable and easy to apply. They Use a proper artists sable brush to apply dry in a few minutes to a film which is the colours and allow them to harden barely visible and will not take away the fully before applying the final finish. If freshness of the completed work. Avoid the colours run along the grain while wax or oil finishes which trap dirt and you are applying them it is likely that the can darken the wood. Polyurethanes can wood you are using is too soft or coarse go yellow with age. With all finishes grained or you did not sand it smooth you should experiment on scrap wood enough during the initial preparation. to see the final effect before using it on Coloured felt pens are easy to use but the

8 colours obtainable are rather harsh and More heat is produced if the wire is you cannot dilute them down. thinner so thinning the tip is good and can be done by filing, hammering, or Whatever type of dye or paint you use grinding. Thin down at the end only. you must make sure that it is compatible Keep the “legs” thick to retain stiffness. with the sealer or varnish you will eventually apply over the top. The Bending or hammering the points is tendency is for the varnish to dissolve easier when mounted in the pencil and the colour and spread it into unwanted switched on because the metal is softer areas. (you could try varnishing first and and more workable when red hot. painting on top). You must experiment first on scrap material to check on Wire gauges compatibility. S.W.G. Diam Diam Metres/ Water colour and water-soluble inches mm ounce wood stains will not be affected by the majority of but they will 26 0.018” .457mm 20.4 “raise the grain”. This means that they 25 0.020” .508mm 16.5 will swell the wood fibres and cause a rough surface. The way to avoid this 24 0.022” .559mm 13.6 is to deliberately raise the grain on the 23 0.024” .609mm 11.4 whole surface first, before you do any pyrography on it, by wiping with warm S.W.G. = British Standard Wire Gauge water. Wait for it to dry and then sand it down again using new sharp abrasive paper to remove any raised wood fibres. IMPORTANT Spirit (alcohol) based dyes give lovely Fuse wire, paperclips or any wire other colours and tend not to raise the grain. than the special nichrome wire we supply They can be obtained in concentrated must never be used or the power unit form (see our woodturning supplies will burn out. We will charge for repairs catalogue) and can be diluted with to units damaged by overload. methylated spirit to give the required density of colour. They tend to be Working at lower temperatures. dissolved by Rustins coating but not by The pen is supplied with a tip which the water based acrylic spray. Ask for may burn too hot for your style of work our mail order woodturning supplies even when the knob is turned down to catalogue for a wide range of finishes the minimum heat setting. You should and colours. try a heavier standard loop made from 24 SWG wire which will be much cooler HOW THE POINTS WORK at minimum setting. Even better would The nichrome point heats up when be a 23 SWG loop bent back on itself as electric current is passed through it. shown on page 6.

9 Bad connections. If the legs of the the acrylic spray which can be obtained points are not clamped securely the gloss or satin. When dry rub the sealer point may refuse to heat up. Sparks, lightly with webrax abrasive nylon buzzing noises or one leg appearing to web to achieve a perfect finish. be hotter than the other are signs that the terminals need cleaning. Take the USING TWO PENS pencil terminals fully apart and clean off SIMULTANEOUSLY any tarry deposit to cure bad contacts. It is possible to have two pens running Caustic oven cleaner is ideal for this and at the same time by joining them with will not attack the stainless steel. (It will a coupler as shown. The pens are attack your fingers and your clothes!) electrically in series so the same current Keep oven cleaner away from any other flows through both pens. As the power is component. USING TWO PENS techniques with 12 projects described SIMULTANEOUSLYshared between two pens only half power in detail. The ideal "advanced manual" Avoid twisting and bending the flex at isIt deliveredis possible to to each have so two the pens knob needs for your Peter Child machine. the end of the pencil or the strands of runningto be turned at the up, same possibly time toby maximumjoining "Introduction to Pyrography" by wire inside the insulation will eventually themoutput. with The a penscoupler should as shown. have similar The Daniel Wright (Search Press). Detailed break. Do not wind the flex around the pensguage are nibs. electrically If one pen in serieshas a finerso the point tips on pyrography techniques and handle before storing the pencil. samethen thatcurrent pen flowswill glow through hotter. both attractive examples of work both plain and coloured by this talented artist. USEFUL AND MATERIALS "Step by Step Pyrography" by Bob • Small wire cutters, pointed nose pliers Neill. (GMC) The ideal beginners and small screwdriver. guide written in an easy to follow step by step style. Lots of projects to • Small hammer and anvil for shaping complete. and flattening points. The anvil can be "Pyrography Designs" by Norma improvised from a large hammer held Gregory (GMC). Full of hundreds of in a vice. useful designs of birds, mammals, • A scraper for removing mistakes. flowers, herbs, farms and cottages and motifs such as Celtic knotwork. You might try a stanley knife blade. An alternative would be fine abrasive paper. The internet can provide a rich source of material to inspire you. Just type • A supply of abrasive paper for "pyrography" into one of the search preparing the wood surface. Useful engines to discover a long list of grades are 240, 320 and 400 grit. interesting websites. Our website is there with up to date information on • A supply of coarse wire wool for pyrography machines, materials and removing ash and tar build-up on the links to satisfied users and their work. points. pens. As the power is shared between There is also a gallery of pyrography to two pens only half power is • Sealer to seal your work against dirt. provide you with some inspiration. delivered to each so the knob needs See http://www.peterchild.co.uk You can use a water based acrylic or to be turned up, possibly to cellulose sealer. The most durable is maximum output. The pens should have similar guage nibs. If one pen 10has a finer point then that pen will glow hotter.

MORE INFORMATION Books on pyrography. "The Complete Pyrography" by Stephen Poole (published by GMC). Colourful, comprehensive guide to

11 MORE INFORMATION “Pyrography” by Bob Neill (published by GMC). A great introduction to Books on pyrography. pyrography. This book introduces 18 “The Complete Pyrography” by Stephen simple step by step projects suitable for Poole (published by GMC). Colourful, anyone interested in this popular and comprehensive guide to techniques with enjoyable craft. 12 projects described in detail. The ideal “advanced manual” for your Peter Child machine. For more information on pyrography machines, materials and accessories see “Step by Step Pyrography” by Bob Neill. www.craft-supplies.co.uk (GMC) The ideal beginners guide written in an easy to follow step by step style. Lots of projects to complete. “Pyrography Designs” by Norma Gregory (GMC). Full of hundreds of useful designs of birds, mammals, flowers, herbs, farms and cottages and motifs such as Celtic knotwork.

Pyrography coasters courtesy of Bob Neill

11 Electrical Information mains operation, 50Hz. Supplied with IEC lead and ready to use. British Isles Other regions The machine is supplied with a power The machine is available in other regions cord or cable fitted with an IEC type G some using the plugs outlined above. British 13A plug suitable for 220 to 250 volts A.C. mains operation, 50 to 60Hz. Others including South have Power consumption is 30 watts. opted to affix their own plugs. If you change the plug use a three pin because the case of the machine MUST Accessories BE EARTHED. The fuse in the plug Description Code should have a 3 amp or preferably 1 amp Pen PYROPEN rating. Spare Points – pack of 10 Pack of 10 Spoon PYROSP10-24 Australia and New Zealand Points (24 SWG) The machine is supplied with an IEC Pack of 10 Standard PYROSTLOOP10-25 Type I (three prong) plug suitable for Loops (25 SWG) 230 volts A.C. mains operation, 50Hz. Pack of 10 Fine PYROFINELOOP10-26 Supplied with IEC lead, ready to use. Loops (26 SWG) Spare Points – pack of 5 U.S.A Pack of 5 Coil Points PYROcoil5-23 The machine is supplied with an IEC (23 SWG) Type B (three prong) plug suitable for Spare Wire – 1oz reel will make 150 points 110 volts A.C. mains operation, 60Hz. 26SWG PYRO26G1 Supplied with IEC, lead ready to use. 25 SWG PYRO25G1 24SWG PYRO24G1 Europe 23SWG PYRO23G1 The machine is supplied with an IEC See inside for more information on wire Type C plug suitable for 230 volts A.C. gauge and making your own points. Pyrography accessories are available from your stockist.

Proudly manufactured by Robery Sorby, Athol Road, Sheffield S8 0PA, England Tel: +44 (0) 114 225 0700 Fax: +44 (0) 114 225 0781 Email: [email protected] Web: www.robert-sorby.co.uk