One of the most intricate tasks of pyrography is to be able to burn the design onto wood. It’s the most important and also the process that requires the maximum amount of patience.
Most people use a blow torch to burn art onto a wooden plank. A blow torch typically burns off the paint on a wooden surface by producing hot flames.
You will need this blow torch or an electric heat gun in order to burn letters, patterns, designs.
1. Wood Burning design onto wood with a blowtorch
Using a torch is a fairly old method still widely used. This method involves using a blowtorch, most likely propane-based.
The quality of the final result may not be the same as when done using a wood burning tool because blowtorch ends up burning beyond the outline of the stencil hence its to be used for projects where you are ok even if the rest of the wood surface gets a heat treatment.
Tools
- Stencil
- Blowtorch
- Wooden plank (Soft wood or hardwood)
- Heat sensitive marker
- Glue or tape
- Sandpaper
- Nails
- Epoxy
- Gloves
- Face shield
- Finger guards
- Epoxy detail torch
Procedure
Step-1: Take a wooden plank of whatever size you want to create designs/patterns on. It may be round, rectangular, square, or triangle per your requirement.
Choose the wood type depending on the texture of your design, like oak wood is something to be avoided since it can corrode your metal tip.
Step-2: Lightly Sand the wood with sandpaper or an electric sander to make the surface even. This is important and ensures you can easily trace out the design and you can burn the wood smoothly.
Step-3: Take a stencil of any design and place it over your wooden plank. Stick it with tape, so it does not move while you transfer the print. Place a carbon paper below it so the design is printed well.
Step-4: Take a heat-sensitive marker and move it down the design. Don’t worry if it does not trace down darker. You can always improve later.
Step-5: Wear safety gears, and then blow torch the design you have copied down using the stencil. Flip the wooden plank and torch it as well.
Step-6: The next thing you need to do is put some epoxy over the wooden plank to protect it. Pour the epoxy on the borders of the plank first.
Step-7: Use an epoxy detail torch to blow bubbles on the surface of the wooden plank. This ensures you get a clean design on the wood.
Step-8: Let it dry for 8-10 hours, check if all bubbles are removed and no outlines are missing. Now you are ready to place it wherever you want.
2. Wood Burning designs using Ammonium Chloride and heat gun
It is one of the easiest methods to burn art on a wooden plank. This is a better way to burn design since it involves using electricity and unlike blowtorch, it will not burn parts of the wood outside your drawn outlines of the design. Though this method involves patience and also needs to be performed safely.
Tools
- Heat gun
- Wooden plank (soft wood or hardwood)
- Ammonium chloride
- Water
- Paintbrush
- Stencil
- Safety gear (Hand glove and face shield)
- Tapes
- Sandpaper
Procedure
Step-1: Take a wooden plank and smooth it with a sandpaper.
Step-2: Take a stencil and fix it over the wood with the help of tape, so it does not move.
Step-3: Take a bowl and mix one tablespoon of powdered ammonium chloride into half a cup of water. Gently stir the watery paste to thick it.
Step-4: Take a paintbrush and dip it into the solution. Paint down the pattern over the wood with the help of a paintbrush. Let that layer dry.
Step-5: Torch the wooden plank using the electric heat gun and be patient; otherwise, you will end up burning the wood.
Safety Measures
Wood burning patterns / designs / letters might seem an easy and interesting task, but you might get severely burned if you do not take the necessary precautions while doing it. I have a list of dos and don’ts for you.
Do's
- Always wear safety gears while wood burning designs / patterns / letters.
- Always put on a face shield to cover your face.
- Wield glasses to protect your eyes from the spark.
- Always perform this task outside your house.
- Keep children away while wood is burning.
Don'ts
- Switch off the heat gun in case of excessive heat.
- Do not touch ammonium solution with bare hands.
- Avoid contact with eyes.
- Never spread epoxy with bare hands.
- Never choose a plank of wood with toxic fumes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you burn wood to create designs?
Yes, it is possible to burn wood to create designs. You need a heat gun or a blow torch for this while following some precautions, and you are done.
2. Can you burn wood on a rough surface?
Yes, you can but people make the wooden surface smooth with the help of sandpaper or a sponge before beginning so that the design may look clear and elegant.
3. How do you prepare for wood burning?
You need a wooden plank, sandpaper, some tapes, stencils, heat gun or blow torch, and ammonium chloride for it. Smoothen the wood surface by sanding , transferring patterns, and then burning them.
Summary
Wood burning your first design can be intimidating but if done properly, you will be proud of your art. I also want you to take all the precautions and not be haste while doing this craft work.
Follow the step by step approach carefully and take care of the minutest details like the type of wood, tools and materials required and all the other things like wood burning kit, so that you do not miss anything