Wood burning is not a new art form by any means. Although there isnโt hard evidence, some think itโs likely that ancient humankind used heated sticks to create designs on the walls of caves. The first record of wood burning is from the Han Dynasty in China. Practitioners called it fire-needle embroidery. Are you looking for the best professional wood burning kit?ย
Thereโs little, if anything, recorded about it between that time and the Victorian era, which is when it started to gain popularity. To the Victorians, it was known as pokerwork, later called pyrography, from the Greek for โwriting with fire.โ
Image | Name & Key Features | Link |
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Uolor 54 Pcs 2 in 1 Pyrography Wood Burner | CHECK CURRENT PRICE | |
Maxtry 46pcs Wood Burning Kit | CHECK CURRENT PRICE | |
TRUArt Stage 1 Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen | CHECK CURRENT PRICE | |
PETUOL 110 PCS Wood Burning Kit | CHECK CURRENT PRICE | |
Walnut Hollow 41992 Creative Woodburner | CHECK CURRENT PRICE |
These use electricity to heat a tip that then burns into the wood. The better pens have temperature control, as you wonโt use the same temp when working with different woods. Hardwoods, for instance, need more heat. Today we will be looking at some of the best professional wood burning kits.
Our Top Pick
If you are in a hurry, follow through with this guide, and we will show you some of the best professional wood-burning kits that we found.ย
Our Winner!
We chose this one for our top pick because it just wowed us from start to finish. It is easy and comfortable to hold, easy to handle and operate, and will not cramp or fatigue your hand. There are 21-34 different tips (depending on the kit), including soldering and razor blade. The dual power mode allows one temperature for leather (15W) and one for wood (30W).ย This wood-burning tool has an on/off switch conveniently located on the handle. If you want to know more, check below, and youโll be just as wowed.
Round Up of Professional Wood Burning kit
Uolor 54 Pcs 2 in 1 Pyrography Wood Burner
With the new technology, its tip can heat up and be ready in 45 seconds. The energy it uses is 60w, and this energy-saving product allows you to work even better.ย
Whatโs more, it is also ergonomically designed to ensure the userโs comfort. This product comes with a set consisting of 45 pieces of wood burning kit, and it is also known to be the ideal choice for working on many materials.ย
You can adjust the temperature from 200ยฐ to 450ยฐC and find the right one for your application. The handle is straightforward to hold so that you can work from any angle. The package dimension is 9.7 x 4.8 x 1.9 inches, and you will also get many accessories.
Prosย
- You can adjust the temperatureย
- You can work from any angle
- Easy to carry and handle
- Heats up quickly
Consย
- Are easy to lose or misplace
- Can be affected by natural elements
Maxtry 46pcs Wood Burning Kit
The first great feature is that the LCD is attached to it, allowing you to check and adjust the temperature with ease. You can give it 8 seconds to warm the tip up and begin your work.ย
For those looking for a suitable kit for working with a wide range of applications, we highly recommend this affordable wood-burning kit from Maxtry.
It is built-in with the temperature memory function to add extra convenience for the user. It can work with the previous temperature set; therefore, it saves you from adjusting it again and again. The total dimension of this product is 8.5 x 5.1 x 1.5 inches.
Pros
- It has a sleek and modern look
- It comes with an LCD
- Is very affordable
- It doesnโt require continuous adjustments
Consย
- It is not as durable as other burning kits
- The display can crack easily
TRUArt Stage 1 Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen
This wood burning tool has an on/off switch conveniently located on the handle. It is easy and comfortable to hold, easy to handle and operate, and will not cramp or fatigue your hand.ย
This pyrography tool heats quickly and retains its heat better. Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen is a lightweight, easy-to-use, durable, short-barrel quality tool suited for wood and leather. It has a stainless steel barrel and heat/impact-resistant ergonomic rubber handle that aids precision.ย
There are 21-34 different tips (depending on the kit), including soldering and razor blade. The dual power mode allows one temperature for leather (15W) and one for wood (30W).
However, an adapter is needed for international customers that do not utilize the standard two-prong 110V outletโthe maximum 850 deg. F. temperature (30W setting) may not be as hot as some crafters may expect.
Pros
- It comes with 21-34 different tips
- Is affordable
- It comes with dual power mode
- It has a stained steel barrel that is not affected by rust
- It is easy to move around with
Consย
- It is not as hot
- It can easily be misplaced
PETUOL 110 PCS Wood Burning Kit
The PETUOL 82 PCS Wood Burning Kit contains an enormous accessory set featuring 82 pieces. This kit includes an extensive array of wood burner necessities, providing 17 different wood tips and 13 carving tips.ย
It comes with an ergonomic design that is featured to fit comfortably inside of your grip, a perfect feature for professionals who use a pyrography tool for many hours of operation.
Effective temperature control is easily achieved, enabling the wood burner pen and your chosen tips to quickly heat up from a minimum temperature of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit to about 840 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, this pyrography pen is perfect for leather pyrography and all types of art projects. We also have a guide on How to make a Pyrography Pen.
Prosย
- Featuring 82 accessories
- 17 wood tips
- 13 carving tips
- Temperature control
- Ergonomic design
Consย
- It is not as hot as other kits
- You can easily lose multiple pieces
Walnut Hollow 41992 Creative Woodburner
The Walnut Hollow 41992 Creative Woodburner Tool provides practical tools to complete your desired wood burning crafts to the best possible standard. You will receive a good level of temperature control to achieve the required burn depth on your material.ย
Additionally, you will receive a set of tweezers to ensure that you can handle the tool safely and without hurting yourself. A safety stand increases your ability to easily use the tool without burning you or your belongings while achieving temperatures of between 600 degrees Fahrenheit and 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prosย
- Good level of temperature control
- Achieve temperatures of between 600 and 1000 degrees Fahrenheit
- Safety stand
- Tweezers included
- Good standard achieved
Consย
- It is harder to handle than most kits
- Is quite expensive
Buyerโs Guide
HOW TO CHOOSE: A GUIDE TO PYROGRAPHY TOOLS AND WOOD BURNING PENS
The two most common types of wood burner tools are solid tip burners, craft-style wood burners, and variable-temperature wood burners. Craft style wood burner tools are ideal for individuals who will be completing projects that do not require much detail or precision. They are perfect for creating large dark areas on materials and are exceptionally useful for making signs.
These wood burner tools are perfect for artists and designers who need solid tip burnersโ precision. On the other hand, variable temperature burners with dual wire elements are designed for users who require more detail in their work. Take a look at the following lists for a more detailed rundown.
CRAFT STYLE SOLID POINT PYROGRAPHY TOOLS
- A thicker tip is usually made of copper.
- Larger handpiece.
- Longer heating and cooling times (usually five to eight minutes).
Not suitable for doing highly detailed work. These are better for more general uses like larger drawings or signs and filling in larger areas.
Some feature a dual heat shield, which will protect your hand from the heat of the pen tip.
VARIABLE TEMPERATURE WIRE TIP PYROGRAPHY TOOLS
- Shorter heating and cooling times (as short as a minute or two)
- Feature electronic controls for the temperature
- Smaller handles make it easier to โwriteโ or โdrawโ with these tools
- Heat up quickly for faster drawing abilities
- Finer pen tips for more detailed work
- Some feature dual pen capabilities adding versatility
VARIABLE TEMPERATURE WIRE TIP PYROGRAPHY TOOLS
- Shorter heating and cooling times (as short as a minute or two)
- Feature electronic controls for the temperature
- Smaller handles make it easier to โwriteโ or โdrawโ with these tools
- Heat up quickly for faster drawing abilities
- Finer pen tips for more detailed work
- Some feature dual pen capabilities adding versatility
Key Considerations Before You Buy
Comfort
Whether youโre a pro or a novice, youโll likely be spending a fair amount of time using your wood burner, so comfort is essential. For this reason, youโll need to make sure your device is lightweight and has a small handle to draw detail without any hassle.
Adjustable Pen Tips
Beginners are best starting with fixed pen nibs seeing as they heat up quickly and offer a uniform drawing style. On the other hand, folks with more experience will probably need to create more diverse designs, so you should use interchangeable tips to create different effects.
Speed of Heating
Itโs best to look for wood-burning tools that can heat up within 2-3 minutes if you donโt want to get bored while waiting to start your project. Using a quick heating device is also essential if youโre using various interchangeable nibs for different effects.
Temperature Control
Wood burning tools come with either pre-set temperature gauges or variable temperature designs. Variable temperature models will give you more flexibility but require extra attention to ensure they are correctly set.
Fixed-temperature burners are easier to use but donโt offer as much versatility. Beginners are usually best off starting with a fixed model, then progressing to variable-temperature burners when they feel more confident at drawing.
Power
Generally, low-powered wood burners are used for fine detail, whereas high-powered versions heat up faster but can leave unattractive black marks on the wood if youโre not very quick at drawing.
What First-Time Wood Burning Tool Users Should Know
If you choose a wood burning tool for the first time, buy a less expensive one first. It may only have a single fixed or a small number of tips. Read reviews to get an idea of what more experienced wood burners look for.
What is the maximum temp for this tool?
Each tool has different temperatures ranging from 392 deg. F. to 950 deg. F.
Can it be used on leather?
What other types of materials? Yes, various burning tools are designed to be used on particular materials, mostly different types of wood, leather, soft metals, or the outer skins of gourds.
Are the tips Universal?
Will other brand tips fit this brand/model of the wood burning tool? Unfortunately, some woodburning tools require original tips.
Are replacement parts available?
You will have to purchase replacement parts separately. Otherwise, contact the seller or manufacturer if you need a replacement within a specified guarantee period.
History Of Pyrography
In the early 20th century, electric pyrography tools followed. Pyrography might not have caught on as well as it did if it werenโt for the invention of the cauterization machine in 1877 by Claude Paquelin.ย
Although this device was intended for use by physicians, Franรงois Manuel-Perier, an artist, adapted it for pyrography. Because the new device used a gaseous mixture to keep the tip hot, the process became much easier than the old method, which involved heating and reheating pokers in a fire.ย
Then, in the early 20th century, electric pyrography tools followed.
Today, pyrography is both a fine art form and a casual hobby. Artists such as David Kreider and Dino Muradian can create stunning pieces that range from realistic to abstract, rivaling the works other artists create in more common mediums, such as charcoals or paint. Many cultures indulge in wood burning, with pyrography respected as a folk art across the globe, from South America to Eastern Europe.
The Tools In Wood Burning Kits
A kit makes a great choice for those brand-new to wood burning because most contain nearly everything needed to get started. But if youโve never tried wood burning before, you may wonder what, strictly, all the items come in a kit.
So that you can get started designing and drawing sooner, weโve outlined a few of the usual and essential pieces included in wood burning kits.
You should note that the tip of a wood burning pen becomes very hot, so you must exercise caution and always supervise children. Many kits include a pen stand, which will keep you from burning your table or hand as you work with the pen.
The tips of nearly all pyrography pens are removable, and the majority of kits come with a selection of tips with which you can work. These tips all have slightly different shapes and thicknesses for creating various lines and shading. At first, you might find this variety overwhelming, but as you practice with each one, youโll get a better feel for what each can do.
Then, of course, thereโs the wood. Not every kit includes wood, so if yours doesnโt, donโt worry. Any pieces of untreated scrap wood around the house will probably work just fine.ย
Softwood without a strong grain is often the best beginnerโs choice; pine and spruce are popular. Youโll want a whole and unvarnished piece since stained wood or any pressed variety could release toxic substances as it burns.
Youโll also commonly find extra accessories in wood burning kits, such as stencils and colored pencils. These let you transform a project from just okay to wow.
They can even make it easier for beginners to achieve exciting results, as most donโt rely on artistic sketching or drawing ability. In other words, if you can follow directions and do some tracing, youโll find yourself with an eye-catching finished object.
Final Thoughts
That was a long journey, but arenโt we glad we made it. Woodwork, in general from carving and building, has just grown on so many people. In truth, wood burning has become a sensation in many peopleโs lives.
Everything comes at a price, though, with pros and cons. You have to figure out which one you are willing to let go of. So enjoy your shopping, have fun, and most importantly, enjoy your wood carving.ย Keep your wood-burning pen in good shape by learning How to Clean Wood Burning Pens | Easy Method.
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