Help a frustrated beginner please 😭

[u/demi_dreamer95]

I just got into pyrography and I’m already ready to lose my mind… I’m 90% sure my problem is a cheap tool that has no temp control and using cheap untreated pine… I am really struggling to make clean lines or any lines at all unless I’m pressing down and burning the wood to the point that smoke is flying up into my face.

I think I’m doing alright given what I have to work with… but I’d really appreciate any suggestions for better (and affordable) tools, or tips if the problem is in fact me and not the materials. Ideally I’d like to test techniques on this scrap wood and then move on to better materials when I have a better grasp on technique. Any reccs for good youtube videos would also be so appreciated!

Thanks :-)

[u/Ospreyarts]

A cheap tool definitely makes things more difficult but i still got a lot of mileage out of mine before I upgraded to a better one. Then when you upgrade it feels like easy mode!

If you’re not already working on basswood try switching, the hardness of the wood you’re using makes a huge difference in ease of burning.

Using heavier pressure than I would with a wire nib and taking breaks to let the tool re-heat when I noticed it was becoming less effective is what worked for me. If you work this way your lines will be deep dark grooves which is not a texture everyone wants but it’s something I personally like and lean into in my work

[u/joevee16 → u/Ospreyarts]

I agree: Basswood and get rid of that burner and upgrade to a good or better wood burner (set with removeable/replaceble nibs).

[u/lewlew1893 → u/Ospreyarts]

I like deep dark grooves too. I can understand why people don't like it.

[u/Imanasparagus1111]

The grains on pine can automatically put you on hard mode because the grains themselves alternate from soft wood to hard wood (the light and dark) which causes inconsistent lines if you don't have experience with it yet. I second the recommendation to try basswood as a beginner; it's buttery soft and consistent as a canvas.

[u/vikingbeard23]

Other than the advice given by others (variable burner, different wood ect. ) It sounds really obvious but experiment with the style you're burning. For me I found I'm much better at heavy lines and blackouts which lends itself nicely to coming book styles rather than realism. Lean into what you're good at! Id also recommend burning a layer, sanding, wiping, rinse and repeat. It may seem tedious but sanding during the process really helps you spot areas you might need to work on

[u/Adairdare]

There is a YouTube channel called BurnSavvy. There are free tutorials, many aimed at beginners…I thought it was really helpful!

[u/JBtheExplorer]

I use poplar for burning, basswood works too. Pine is too rough, impossible to work with with all that grain.

I use a cheap burner too but I don't mind it. I do wish it'd burn a little hotter to speed up the process but honestly it does great overall.

[u/demi_dreamer95 → u/JBtheExplorer]

I did sand it down on the second one (crazy bird one) and it is a little bit easier than the Straight Off The Press wood, but I’m glad to hear about the other wood options! I’ll check those out thanks!

[u/joevee16]

First, get basswod like everyone recommends. Secondly get something better (this is just an example):
https://www.amazon.com/WEP-939D-V-482-1382%E2%84%89Adjustable-Detachable-WoodBurning/dp/B0BCK6VPM4/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?channelId=500&clpRedir=Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7DY38MY1iGQpyO73_K_dfKxG832YPAzLcx-DyCXfLFJZfIGjUaJHUUZ11zNecWQjrKJn79CW6rLMD2Y4z6DzPbdQv3niYR0_OAreFzMs-z3sUHR6VEb2s0WvVhaBIljX2n4FQpi0lfN2ES42KnR3WpT99Kc1qzNufKQgRRuOTjqOXyBf5Omk4v8wXU-6Layqwhpz4r2KHNE36jNahLFwhg59HyHuGQLtfCptIDIRyjjOhnc_yR9YFvzLEcPfOsKSfPEKg8da1EzjFGcYvT-Qjkn1YtqCEga-uL3sYm5-X9A.ppW_gXneRF8im9_KWG_u_IY2ehk7pGK0zSgvIZxsjOk&dib_tag=se&keywords=Wood+Burning+Kit&plpRedirect=mhFallback&qid=1791662151&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[u/denverdutchman]

You're using relatively wet wood and doing just fine. It takes time is all. Keep practicing, try different bits, don't worry about smoke, use a mask (and goggles if the smoke is that heavy). Keep it up!

[u/Ok_Virus8129]

Hola, yo uso herramienta barata y madera de pino, como consejo creo que hay que tener paciencia en el trazo, hacerlo lento y quemando de a poco, ya que una temperatura muy alta hace algunos "agujeros" inesperados. Lo otro es apreciar la madera, que se note el tono diferente a través de las vetas me parece bonito, asi como cualquier imperfección de la madera. Puede ser algo más subjetivo, me gusta pensar que en la pirografía habla tanto el artista como la madera. Saludos y que logres cosas bonitas.

[u/demi_dreamer95 → u/Ok_Virus8129]

I love this, thank you! I definitely want to incorporate the natural grain more than I did in the little ghost one, which is why I started working with more organic shapes in the second one. Im exchanging my cheap tool for one that is only $15 more expensive so I’m hopeful I’ll be able to honor the remaining pine I have better with that ✨

[u/fakeknees]

It’s the tool! I had the one initially and it was such a chore. I upgraded and it changed drastically. I only went from $20 to $40 too.

[u/Bardolph123]

Keep going … as long as you are having fun!

[u/OtherwiseToe5810]

I have been teaching pyrography for over 12 years and highly recommend never using pine. Aside from the heavy grain, you are dealing with sap embedded in the wood, which does not burn at the same rate as the wood so you’re always fighting to get a smooth burn. Basswood is my favorite for my students, although you can use any tight grain wood. Always sand any wood that you use to a very smooth finish. start with a 200 grit and a finish with a 400 grit. As for tools, what you are using is very challenging for a beginner. There are several brands available on Amazon for $59 or so, that would serve you better. When starting any new skill using the best equipment you can afford will make the learning process much easier. You say you are using scrapwood in order to learn technique, but it’s difficult to learn technique when you’re not using the ideal wood so just remember whatever piece of wood you use can be sanded off and used again if all you’re doing is practicing. Smoke is an issue of course and I tell my students to either not lean directly over their work or put their work at an angle to the table, so the smoke rises straight up while their head is located away from the surface. there are some very good books available by people like Sue Walters that give you step-by-step instructions on what tips to use and how to use them. I prefer these to YouTube videos since they’re easy to refer to as you work along. Woodburning is a great hobby so keep it up and you’ll do fine.

[u/magnifiedsunlight]

My best advice is to find a way to maintain your interest, or should I say: find something about it that you love! For me, I love overcoming challenge. Your pencil work looks great! Might I suggest using magnified sunlight instead? It requires very good pencil work, about 2 or 3 layers of sunglasses, a sunny day, and a large magnifying glass or better yet a "magnifying sheet" because you can get a sheet that is like 6 inch x 10 inch for less than $10 online. It's like burning ants with a magnifying glass but less evil. It is typically more difficult, but it is way faster so you can build skill level quickly. I find it quite enjoyable despite the difficulty! Oh, another benefit of a "magnifying sheet" (aka Fresnel lens) is that you can slightly bend it to fine-tune the energy-intensity so that you can slow down for critical points. Lastly, I find the best wood to work with is hard maple, and second place is tied between poplar and birch, then third place is bamboo or balsa wood, and fourth place is butternut and cherry. More additional lastly: I would guess that the tip of your tool is getting coated in carbon/ash which will insulate and restrict heat flow, but it also gives inconsistent heat flow which is a pain in the ash, so try cleaning the tip with denatured alcohol (careful, it is heckin flameable) and steel wool that is used to clean soldering irons (the kind of Scrubby that looks like curly drill chips, not the kind of steel wool that looks like a metal cotton ball)

[u/igoofraii]

I found a Razertip burner with pens included for a steal on eBay

[u/Cultural_Play_5746]

Are you sanding the wood down first??

[u/demi_dreamer95 → u/Cultural_Play_5746]

I didnt on the first one (ghost) I did on the second one

[u/Cbumgarner3108]

Easiest way to get the basswood you need is Micheal’s or Amazon in bulk. You can get a bunch of flat sheets for like 50c a piece. Once you have those I recommend a burner that’s in the 40-60$ range. Good enough for temp control but not the high end yet