>This started out as a try at percing by burning. That quickly proved a much much thinner turning was needed.
A little while back Jennifer posted a picture of a bowl which had a bunch of random burn marks on the rim. I liked the way the burning looked so I thought I would give it a try.
This is the result. A 13 1/2" platter with a 2" wide rim. The burning was done with two pens. When one pen would get to hot to hold I would switch to the other pen. When both pens were to hot I would stop. I had three sessions before the burning was done.
I'm delighted that I inspired you. It looks great! Very nice platter. The burning process gets a bit boring on these after a while doesn't it. What burner are you using that the pens are getting so hot?
Thank you for the nice words. I don't know if boreing is the word. It certinaly is repeative and goes on for a long long time. Hey I guess that is the definetion of boreing.
I use the Excaliber unit by Detail Master. I run the pens bright red so the burning is nothing more than a touch. At that setting the big pens get hot in about 20 minutes. By switching between pens I can burn for an hour to an hour and a half before I have to abondon the activity. That works out to be about as long as the smoke is permited where I do my burning.
nice job on the platter! I use the Excalibur II, but still have the same problem with the pens getting hot. I put a piece of cork around one, and that helps. However, I'd still like to find something else, if anyone has any suggestions.
I have heard of using structured foam over the pens. There is an underlayment used for shake shingles on a house which lets air circulate under the shingles. I have heard that wraping a pen in a simular (or perhaps the same) material will keep the hot pen away from your fingers.
In a way I like that the pens get to hot to handle. That discomfort promts me to set aside the work for a while. I have also noticed that the smaller the pen tip the longer it takes for the pen to get to hot to handle.
If you hear of or use any product that help please pas it along. I suspect that procedure is a better solution. Such as running the pens a little cooler, working with the pens point up instead of down...
I bought the Optima unit and several of their pens. For $1.00 extra they came with a nice foam covering on the shaft of the pens and although I haven't use my burner much, I just got it, I don't seem to find them getting hot. Or at least not so hot that I can't use them. The coverings look like those cusions that you slip over a pencil or pen for comfort. Not the gel type cushion but more of a foam type to let the heat escape. It looks like they put 3 of these over the full length of the pens. You may be able to find them at a local store?
thanks for the link! I'm going to maybe try some of those, or something similar. I used one last night for a little 'experimenting', and it just gets hot too fast. Anyway, thanks again!
