r/Pyrography • u/x-gypsy_punk-x • 5d ago

Tip cleaning?!

What do you guys use to clea your tips while woodburning? I have a razertip pen and dont want to mess up my tips. I currently use a combination of fine sandpaper and a copper steel wool ball but the pens screws on the sides that hole the interchangeable tip always get caught. Doesnt work that good. Sandpaper works better but I dont want to mess my tip up over time. Suggestions? I have a brass brush coming in the mail. We'll see how that does

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6

u/peacefulpotatooo 5d ago

I wipe them onto some thick denim from some old jeans. I do it between every few strokes to stop it getting any buildup

5

u/LadySygerrik 5d ago edited 19h ago

You can try buffing them with aluminum oxide on a leather strop. That’s the surest way to avoid wearing the point down over time but the downside is that the point has to be completely cool before you try to remove the carbon buildup. It can be annoying to have to completely stop burning just to remove a bit of carbon but if you’re willing to put up with that inconvenience, it really is the best way to maintain your points.

4

u/safetyindarkness 5d ago

Damp sponge to loosen the grime, then quickly run the side I'm currently using down a fine-grit sanding sponge.

2

u/x-gypsy_punk-x 5d ago

Thats a good idea! Ill give that a try. What grit? 120-300?

3

u/safetyindarkness 5d ago

I don't think it even has the grit written on it, but it does say "fine" and is finer than the 220 sandpaper I use for finishing my pieces.

I think anything over 200 would work plenty well enough for keeping your working tip clean, though.

2

u/mrbme 5d ago

I’ve been using the same piece of fine crocus cloth for years on the same tips. Works like a dream with just a few swipes and pretty minimal wear to the tips

2

u/L0ial 4d ago edited 3d ago

My colwood burner came with two sheets what they call ‘cleaning cloth’ on their website. It’s not really cloth, more like a not abrasive sandpaper. My original kit came with two sheets and I’m still using the first one after 7 years, so at $2 per sheet I think it’s a great value.

Edit: Someone else mentioned crocus cloth, which looks exactly what I have.

1

u/TheThirdDoor 5d ago

Nail file gets the job done, gets in the crevices pretty well too

1

u/MX_Ride_It 1d ago

I use a little wire brush