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**carver33** · 04-19-2010, 07:25 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

John,

I use the Colwood Detailer - bought mostly for price vs. features. I also use interchangeable tips and have absolutely no problem with them, though I'm thinking of buying fixed tip pens of the couple that I use most.

I love the Colwood, it works extremely well and will accept most other brand pens.

That being said, all of the burners you mentioned are top notch and have their fans. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

**Northwest29** · 04-19-2010, 08:19 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

Hi John,

Check out Nedra's web site. It has a ton of information with specifics on Razertip.

GourdSupplies.com :: Nedra Denison and Sawdust Connection, The Woodburning Specialists Store Front

**Pyrographer** · 04-25-2010, 02:58 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

Hi John, I'm not here very much anymore but just popped in.

Thanks Ron for the recommendation.

I added a review on woodburners on my website. No real critiques but it's something I started on the PyrographicArt forum years ago and kept adding to it. Comments are from real users, including me.

I have used Razertip for about 9 years now and love it. I've also used (owned and sold many of these) Colwood, Optima, Nibs and Detailmaster. Overall I still love Razertip and probably always will. Razertip is made in Canada but the others are made in the good old USA.

Razertip is the only one on the market that has an unconditional warranty. The others are either against manufacturing defects or "normal use". Quality wise Razertip is still the best overall as well.

If you have specific questions feel free to ask me. Since I don't get here very much it is fastest to email me: [email protected]

Good luck in your quest!

Nedra

**Doulies** · 04-25-2010, 05:54 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

Thank everyone for your replys.
I just looked at nedra`s website, and it dose have alot of infomation on burners.
I was just at a carving show and was talking to a carver/woodburner about wood burners. He said he wouldn`t recommend buying replacement tips that plug in because after awhile they won`t stay tight. He said he just buys the hand piece with the tip in it, that would get alittle expensive though.
Nedra, seeing you use the Razortip what do you think of the Binding-post Interchangeable-tip Pen? The tips are tighten with a screw i think that might be better then the plug in type. Also with that type of pen you can make your own tips. And what do you think of the feather former tips by Razortip.
Thank you
John

**Pyrographer** · 04-26-2010, 07:45 AM

Re: Questions on wood burners

John, I don't like the replaceable tips on any brand but the Razertip I don't like because it's a pain to change tips (you have to screw them in) and it puts your hand farther back from the tip so I don't get as good control over the burning. This is the one that you use to make your own tips. It comes with wire and you can buy more.

I have not used the feather former tips because I guess I have just found it easier to do my feathers the old fashioned way...one stroke at a time. I suspect they are nice tips but I just haven't found the need to try them. I'm of the school where less is better. I use 3 basic pens to do just about everything and don't indulge too much in the specialty pens because I figure if I can do everything with 3 pens why use more. There are occasions where I might pull out a different pen but overall I am lazy and prefer to find ways to do what I need with my favorite pen and it usually works.

Nedra

**Donna_T** · 04-26-2010, 09:49 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

John,
I've had a Colwood burner for nearly 20 years with absolutely no problems. I have two fixed tips handpieces in the shapes I use most. I also have 6-8 or so replacable tips for specialty jobs and have no problem with them--it only takes me 5-10 seconds to change tips and it's that's about the same as changing handpieces. After using the main tip for about 15 years, I broke it (mostly from my pressing too hard on it) and Colwood replaced it. Nice!

I bought the Colwood Cub for price--don't need two outlets--can only use one at a time. It's been a real workhorse when I'm doing birds or fish--3-4-5 times a year and then, it's used for several hours at a time. If it takes a few seconds to change handpieces or tips, it gives my poor ole hands a few seconds' rest!

I don't sell woodburners or any other woodcarving/burning supplies, so I have no proprietary interest in them. I've used the other burners and really didn't experience any notable difference. Oh yes, when I first decided to try birds and feathers, I used the multi-line tip and thought it would save lots of time. However, I discovered with practice, I could burn more lines per inch with a regular tip than with the multi-line.

So it really boils down to how much you want to spend and what details you want to pay extra for--and what feels good in your hand. If you are in a carving club where members have the different brands of burners, ask if they'll bring them and let you try them--and tell you what they like and or dislike about each one.

Donna T

**Gulf Coast Handyman** · 04-27-2010, 02:36 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

I also have a Colwood, no complaints. One recomendation is go with the fixed tip pens.

Dave

**Doulies** · 04-28-2010, 04:39 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

Nedra, Donna, Northwest29 and Dave thanks for your help. I`ll be going with the fixed tip pen`s,now which burner to get. From what i`ve been reading you can`t go wrong with any of them, they all have good reports.
So thanks again
John

**Sharon of the Dell** · 04-29-2010, 12:56 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

I have a detail master( I think, kind of dingy lately) and a nibs burner. I ended up getting 2 razor tip binding-post interchangeable hand pieces and have made some tips. Oh and the adapter cords also. I like them the best, plus its fun to craft the tips.I used to make hand wrought silver jewelry, so it's kind of similar to that. If I get more into burning, I would buy another of that hand piece again.

**Eddy-Smiles** · 04-29-2010, 02:39 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

I have a Colwood with interchangeable tips. I've never had a heating problem or a problem with the tips loosening up! I firmly believe woodburners are just like every other piece of carving equipment we talk about on this forum. It's all about what you're use to. With few exceptions no one manufacturer is better than another.

**Doulies** · 04-29-2010, 04:54 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

I have made some carving knifes and i like doing things like that (you know making it your own style) so like Sharon, i would like to try and craft my own tips. So i`am sure i`ll be getting the razor tip, that is as soon as i recoup some money i spent at the carving show last weekend

And like Eddy say`s (no one manufacturer is better than another) just that the razor tip has an option that i like.
thank you all
John

**Pyrographer** · 04-29-2010, 06:24 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

You will not go wrong. It's a great choice.

Nedra

**Pyrographer** · 04-29-2010, 06:29 PM

Re: Questions on wood burners

The quality has deteriorated a bit with some manufacturers but that's true of many things these days sad to say.

You can't go wrong with the Razertip. It's a great choice.

Nedra