Don’t Settle For Low Quality – Get The Best Wood Burning Tool
Wood burning is very rewarding and fun, especially when you’re working with a good tool. Conversely, there is nothing more frustrating than dealing with an underperforming device. It often leads to discouragement and loss of enthusiasm and will ultimately turn you off the hobby altogether.
If you’re trying to get into wood burning art, it is primordial to remember that picking the best wood burning tool is a very important step that plays a deciding role in the quality of experience you’ll have.
1 – Dremel 2000-01 Versa Tip Precision Butane Soldering Torch
[Editor Top Pick]
If you’re looking for an easy to use and all-encompassing wood burning tool, it doesn’t get much better than the Dremel 2000-01 Versa Tip. With its plethora of features and multitude of accessories, it is hard to find a product that offers better value for the price. This tool is extremely versatile in its use and can be utilized for an array of applications besides wood burning. Mainly heating, soldering, shrinking, and cutting.
This tool’s versatility is mainly predicated on the number of accessories that come with it. Included in the package are: a soldering Tip for joining wires, a cutting knife for nylon ropes, a shaping knife for cutting heat sensitive materials, and a deflector for shrinking around electrical wiring.
Among its practical features is the integrated ignition that doesn’t require an independent ignition tool and renders the startup process easier and quicker. The temperature is variable and can be adjusted to a precise degree according to your needs and preferences. On top of that, it comes with a flame-lock on option that comes in handy during extended usage, allowing you to adopt a free-hands approach while the torch remains ignited.
The Versa Tip doesn’t come with Butane in it due to regulatory restrictions, but the tank is remarkably large and can provide up to 75 minutes of run time.
2 – Razertip – Dual SSD-10 Burner with BPH Pen
[Our top rated wood burning tool]
The Razertip – Dual SSD-10 is the most expensive tool in this list and the one that offers the widest range of features. It is geared towards those who decide to take the next step in their Pyrography work and require a more comprehensive tool that meets high pro standards.
One of the more noticeable and unique features in the Razertip is the dual hand -piece option that allows you to maneuver 2 pens at the same time. Since many projects require constant changing of hand pieces and chords, this option will not only save you the inconvenience of interrupting your work and wasting time, but it will help preserve the connectors from wear and erosion.
This tool is meticulously engineered with efficiency as the primarily objective. It is powered by a 10 amp output that supplies an incomparable tip-heat recovery. The electric circuits are steady and are able to produce consistent heat even when switched on and off and on again.
While there is little to nitpick about the Razertip, it is best to keep in mind that this advanced tool is better suited for experienced users. It is advisable for complete beginners to start with a more accessible model.
The manufacturer provides an unconditional warranty for 3 years on the power supply and one year for all hand pieces.
3 – Walnut Hollow Creative Versa Tool
The Walnut Hollow Versa tool is one of the more popular and best selling products in this list and it comes at a cheap price. It serves many purposes and has a number of features that make its use straightforward and intuitive. It comes with different points that can be used for a variety of projects ranging from fundamental wood burning to soldering and intricate cutting.
It comes with the variable temperature option that enables you to adjust the heat according to the project you’re working on. It also has a sturdy yet comfortable grip that is designed to ease the holding of the tool for an extend period of time. The stand made out of sturdy metal is quite useful when the unit is hot and is easy to work on.
A lot of care was taken during the making process to ensure the user’s safety and comfort. The heat shield does a great job in keeping the handle cool after long periods of usage. The manufacturer recommends that the tips should be changed with the use of pliers in order, and it is advisable not to bend them when they’re being removed.
As it is the case with most competitively priced products, this tool has some minor issues that should be noted. The heat dial is oddly placed and is often bumped during work, causing a sudden change in temperature.
The company that makes this tool is offering a full refund for any returns within the first 30 days after purchase.
4 – Wall Lenk L101KB Woodworker-foots 10-in-1 Tool Kit
The Wall Lenk L101KB Woodworker is another affordable wood burning tool in this list. It offers tremendous value for its price and thanks to the diverse set of tips it comes equipped with, it can be used in a variety of projects beyond standard wood burning. The package includes tips for cutting, fusing, and soldering as well as a storage case, a user guide, and a tool stand.
The burning power of this tool is at a serviceable 30 watts, which puts it slightly ahead its similarly priced competitors in that department. It is advertised as being able to produce a maximum temperature that reaches 1050 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even though the Wall Lenk is capable of doing a satisfactory job, there are still some issues that are typical of products in this price range. The handle wasn’t designed to withstand excessive heat and tends to become unmanageably hot after extended usage.
The Wall Lenk comes with a 5 year warranty that guarantees the workmanship and absence of any defective materials.
5 – Weller WSB25WB 25-Watt Short Barrel Woodburning Kit
This Chinese made wood burning tool is far from being the best in the market, but it is one of the cheapest and is perfectly convenient for someone looking to start learning the art of wood burning. It comes with 9 wood burning tips, a stand, an embossing tip, and a hot knife, making it suitable for fundamental wood burning and various craft projects.
It has a burning power of 25 watts and can produce a maximum temperature that exceeds 900 degrees Fahrenheit. It heats up remarkably fast for an entry level tool and will only require reheating if you’re burning a large object. The handle is notably sturdy and can withstand a substantial amount of heat and impact engendered by prolonged usage.
As stated before, this tool makes for a great entry to the world of wood burning and is great for practice when you are starting. Progressively, some problems might start showing due to the low quality of the tips, and you might be tasked with replacing them using pliers or vice grips.
Despite the mild concern about some parts of the tool, Weller is confident enough in their product’s durability to offer a bold 7 year warranty after purchase.
6 – GOCHANGE 24 Pcs / 110 V Wood Burning Pyrography Kit
This tool from GOCHANGE is an absolute bargain and offers you more than what you paid for. It comes in a complete set that includes an iron holder and a good number of tips designed for wood burning, carving, embossing, and soldering. Added to that lot is a wood burning 30 watt pen.
It is suited for working on any type of wood regardless of texture and density. Whether it is burning simple patterns, drawing complex shapes, or decorating on different materials such as leather and cork, the tools provided by GOCHANGE are surprisingly efficient and allow you to carve any design you want with relative ease. The pen only heats up to about 300 degrees Celsius, which is still superior to the burning temperature of wood. The maker suggests using it in a well ventilated place.
This product is not only great for beginners, but experts who aren’t looking for a multi-purpose tool and only need a cheap functioning Pyrograph pen should be satisfied with this unit.
A minor slip up by the manufacturers is the fact that they opted not to include an instruction guide.
7 – SE WP28 28-Piece Professional Wood Burning Set
The SE WP 28 is a vastly cheap tool destined for beginners and hobbyists. It comes with 10 soldering tips, 15 varied wood burning tips of different forms and points, a hot plastic and foam cutting knife, and stencils with some symbols and numerals.
The variety of the tips that come with this tool provides a great deal of choice when it comes to the art style and endless patterns that could be burned on wood. The difference in the size of the wedges allows you to pick the type of line you want; narrow or thick, long or short. While the pen is mostly designed for wood burning work, with the help of the appropriate tips you can successfully manage to complete small soldering jobs with great results.
As the cheapest product being reviewed in this list, it is only natural to expect some slight issues compared to the high end tools. A bothersome problem with the SE WP is the lack of consistency in some of the threads. Some fit perfectly while others are either too big to stay attached to the burner or too loose. Some threads even run the risk of melting because they are too short and have trouble staying in the socket.
What Are The Characteristics of The Best Wood Burning Tool?
The quality of the tool will vary depending on how much you are willing to spend. If you’re an amateur or someone trying to get into wood burning, you have to be familiar with the necessary attributes that a wood burning tool should have in order to be able to find the right product for you. The basic ones are:
Sturdiness
Wood burning puts a lot of pressure on the materials. A tool that lacks a sturdy build is unlikely to last very long.
Burning power
It is measured in watts. It represents the power that the tool is able to generate.
Comfort
Wood burning is a delicate process that requires finesse and dexterity. The tool should be easy to grip and comfortable enough to assist you in your work, not undermine it.
Simplicity
The best wood burning tool should have a straightforward and a light, intuitive design. The more complex the contraption is, the more it takes from the accuracy of the work.
Heat Resistant Handle
Since a lot of heat will be exuded during the wood burning process, the handle should be able to stay cool in order to allow extended usage.
Versatility
The tool should be equipped with different tips that allow for different projects besides wood burning.
Adjustable Temperature
The tool should come with a variable temperature option that enables you to adjust the temperature depending on what kind of projects you’re undertaking.
Wood burning tools are fairly simple devices, and being able to see which one has more features doesn’t require any technical prerequisites. The main concern that you should have before buying one is whether it is guaranteed to work for a long time, and reading a list of specs doesn’t answer that question. The more sensible approach is to head to the Amazon review section to get an idea of the more durable tools in the market.
Resources
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrography Wood burning
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsKPmqLLjF4 basics of wood burning
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Cz-4D5DVE how to use wood burning tools
[4] http://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/05/27/a-beginners-guide-to-pyrography-aka-woodburning/ a beginners guide to wood burning
[5] http://www.instructables.com/id/Wood-burning-101-Techniques-and-Tricks/ How to get into wood burning