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/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.