Читать книгу Woodburning with Style - Simon Easton - Страница 11

Pyrography is also often known as woodburning or pokerwork, the latter deriving from the metal pokers used during the Victorian era that were heated to use as drawing tools. The irons would have cooled very quickly and required re-heating frequently between applications, making the process of creating a piece of art very slow and meticulous. Fortunately, pyrography machines—which heat quickly and stay hot—are available to those wishing to pursue the craft of pyrography today. Modern pyrography machines have been designed to be easier to use, requiring less preparation and with improved safety in mind. Most standard pyrography machines are comprised of a transformer or power unit with a mains adaptor. The pens for these units are usually separate components that plug into the mains unit. Some units may have sockets or adapters for more than one pen to be used at once: this can be advantageous if you are working with more than one style of nib on the same design, as you do not need to let the machine cool and change the nib as often. Other manufacturers produce pens with fixed nibs so that you need to swap from pen to pen to create different marks and textures: this may seem time-consuming but it does mean that you do not have to allow for cooling down.

Some craft outlets sell basic pyrography kits for beginners, which are often supplied with a basic instruction book and some sample materials to work on. They generally take the form of large pens that have an adaptor incorporated directly into the body of the pen itself, without a separate power unit.

Modern pyrography machines are generally available in two formats: the solid point machine or the hot wire version. The benefits of modern machines are quickly apparent: most pyrography machines now have adjustable heat settings and a range of pen tips that can be used to create different effects or marks. Due to the nature of the work for which they are intended, they are usually sturdy and robust machines, made from strong plastics or steel to ensure the interior is well protected. Though both types of machine are useful, they do have their pros and cons.