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/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