WoodBurner

Re: WoodBurner *LINK*

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>Link has'em all shapes and prices. People are good resource as well.


Burning

Re: WoodBurner *LINK*

Mark Kauder

>Though it is $10 more expensive than the Cub wooodburner in the Woodcraft Catalog, I recommend the Burnmaster Hawk ($79 plus $20 for handpiece) from Wood Carver's Supply.

Here is the description from the catalog:

"BURNMASTERTM WOOD BURNER By Mastercarver� High-performance tools!TM Imagine a top quality wood burning system that accepts any handpiece regardless of manufacturer, has up to 130 watts of power & costs less than $80! It's not a dream, it's the Burnmaster! The advanced design of the amazing Burnmaster is so superior it's revolutionary! Unlike others, it accepts all major handpiece systems! So instead of being forced to use just one handpiece brand or buying adapters, you can chose & use virtually any handpiece. The Burnmaster accepts wood burning handpieces by Leisure Time Prod. (Detail Master), Colwood (Detailer), SMC / PJL, (Optima), Nibs, Navesink, Razertip & others with similar connections. Burnmaster controllers feature, pro quality components, precise variable power supply (130 watts max.), custom designed circuitry, reset / fuse protection, all metal housing (3.5" x 4.75" x 8.5"), non-slip rubber feet, 6' power cord, manual & 1 year warranty. Weight: 4.5 lbs. Compare, quality, features & value, you'll prefer Burnmaster or your money back! Note: Burnmaster Hawk has same power and features as Eagle model shown except it has only 1 each of port, cord / adapter set and handpiece holder. Handpieces not included, we recommend Detail Master brand handpieces. 499001 Burnmaster Hawk-1 port"

At present I use a 6a handpiece to sign my work.

Mark


Wood Carver's Supply

Optima *LINK*

-e-

>I've been using an Optima controller for years ... very high quality - made in US. Pat is the very knowledgeable owner of PJL Enterprises and will make up any custom pen for you, as well as answer any of your questions.

In addition to Optima pens, I also use the Razortip pens with this controller.

for more information:

http://www.jkstacydesigns.com/newwburnereview.html


http://www.carvertools.com

Re: Optima

Dick Hines

>I have the Detail Master "Excalibre". I like having two outlets so I can use a brand in one and have the other for signing my work. Just throw the switch and I am good to go.

Cheap it is not.

Re: WoodBurner

Peter Teubel

>I have a Detail Master Dagger III. Its great for signing my work, but I find that after 5 minutes of burning (embellishment) or so, the tip temp starts degrading (50 watts). I only use fixed tip handpieces, not the replacable tip handpieces.

Re: WoodBurner

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Hi Dennis

I have the same Burnmaster Mark Kauder has, and I love it. I don't think you will find good and cheap together, but this one is reasonable and very versatile. I only have one tip for it, butI can say it is versatile because I know that it will take just about any tip out there, plus, it has plenty of reserve power for everything I have burned with it. The tip gets hot fast, cools fast, and is very easy to control.

Bill

Re: WoodBurner

Don Evans

>For those with no experience with a burner and are looking to buy, my personal opinion is any burner with 100 watts or higher is the way to go.

I had the Dagger for one day and took it back and got the Sabre (Detail Master), it just has one port but I use the replacement tips so I saw no advantage to two ports. Realize that a unit with two ports does NOT heat both at the same time, only one at the time. The two port is good idea if you use the handles with tips that are NOT replaceable.

If you use the replaceable tips, just a slight bend at the end with long nose pliers make them work well with good contact.

I think if it were available at the time, I would have gone with the Burnmaster due to 130 watt and the price, but their wording on the wattage does bother me slightly as they don't state that is the wattage supplied to the tip but neither does the Detail Master state that. It will turn a cold tip to cherry red in about 5 seconds. Quick enough for me.

Don

misleading information concerning wattage

-e-

>The wattage issue has been greatly discussed within the pyrography community. here's a quote from one of many resources:

http://www.jkstacydesigns.com/newwburnereview.html

"There has been a lot of misleading information concerning wattage on woodburning units. Many manufacturers make high wattage claims that are false. We have tested many of these units and have found that they all consume less than 45 watts of power, including the units claiming to deliver 130 watts max."

"Simply put, wattage is power; and generally speaking, more is better than less. The logical question to ask is how much wattage does one need. To answer this, we conducted an experiment in our shop using a wattmeter, a Detailer with 18 gauge cord, and a "K" tip (small point). Several feather barbs were burned on a piece of basswood with the Detailer's control knob set to 3. We were able to burn a nice, crisp "toast" colored barb. The wattmeter registered 10 watts! Next, we set the Detailer to full power. The "K" tip glowed a bright orange, the basswood burned a burnt black, and the feather barbs looked horrible. The wattmeter registered 27 watts. With respect to woodburning, we feel that wattage rating is severely overrated. You should chose a woodburner that has the features that you require, and a price tag that fits your budget."

Re: misleading information concerning wattage

Don Evans

>Hey e:

Thanks for the link. You are right about the information, especially in the advertising, it has to be read carefully.

For example, the Detail Master (I have the Sabre like one in the review) states that the transformer used in the unit is 100 watt. It makes no claims to the output.

What that tells me though, is it has a very hefty transformer for it's use. As transformers tend to get hot if trying to supply to much current I'm satisfied that mine will last much longer.

What I did to my hand piece is used a 4 inch length of rubber water hose, split it down it's length and taped front end of it with electrical tape. Not pretty, but makes it much more comfortable to hold for long sessions. I left the rear end loose and open to allow heat to exit.

Much better than the styrofoam cup mentioned, I didn't see that in the literature than came with my unit but the review said they have that tip?

Don