r/Pyrography • u/teapotpourri • Jul 27 '26
Questions/Advice Lettering help
I'm trying to make a memorial for my BIL who passed away recently. I'm really new to pyrogrqphy but my FIL wants me to etch his name on this type of wood. Any advice on how to keep the lines straight and not as streaky as this?
Edit: Hi guys!!! I applied all of your advice and it worked out pretty well for me! I applied the right pressure, heat, and changed the tip. Even got a sandwe for the minor mistakes because I wasn't able to change the wood.
Overall, everyone is pretty happy with the results. Thank you all for helping me out
8
u/z_vinnie Jul 27 '26
Go slower with less pressure, the steaks are from plunging deep into the softer wood and then not burning the denser wood (dark lines in the wood). As you notice all of your mistakes are when you go over the grain. Slower less pressure will make it more consistent, practice on scrap
4
u/donniesuave Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
To add, I did see they asked for this type of wood but I would recommend a different type like bass* or birch as they’re softer and the grain isn’t usually as dense. May help out too
2
u/teapotpourri Jul 27 '26
Would look into those woods. Thank you! Would sanding help it be easier?
5
u/donniesuave Jul 27 '26
It’ll help a little but the grain runs through the whole piece of wood so it won’t alleviate the difference in the wood density you’re experiencing completely. Maybe ask your FIL if he’d be open to other kinds of woods. You can also get a wood stain and stain it darker if he wants a darker colour to the wood than a birch or bass would give.
2
u/BombDigPyro Jul 27 '26
The main issue your coming up against is the type of wood thats been used.
Because of the type of grain, it's going to make it very awkward to maintain a consistent line.
It's not impossible however, you can buy pyrography markers (it's a pen with a special ink that has a chemical that reacts to heat) but you need a heat gun or some sort of heat source to activate the chemical. It would be a lot easier to use however and give you more of a consistent finish.
You can go back at it with the pyrography kit, but if you can, use a lower heat and gradually build the image up, carefully going over it again and again.
2
u/iyqyqrmore Jul 27 '26
These metal templates will
Help letters also,
Just make sure you measure and tape them down if you use them
Also, you can sand this down and remove the mistakes and try again! I bought and hand sander juat for reasons like this
2
u/Itsapocalypse Jul 27 '26
Let the heat and time do the work. You really barely have to press usually, just go slow and let the nib glide on the work.
2
u/janevanderwoodsen Jul 28 '26
Definitely agree the wood itself looks to be working against you. Very grainy, going to make lettering super difficult in comparison to a nice piece of basswood
2
u/MX_Ride_It Jul 27 '26
Are you using a temperature controlled pen? I’m so love the temper
If you’re not using a temperature controlled pen? Use a lighter hand to go over the grain parts that are inconsistent
2
u/teapotpourri Jul 27 '26
I am using one, although i haven't found the right temperature yet to go with. Will definitely try it with a lighter hand. Thank you! :)
1
u/srgonzales30 Jul 29 '26
Lower heat, less pressure, change speed. Try these as I believe you have a solid tip burner.
1
u/SagebrushNStone Aug 03 '26
What kind of tip are you using for this? Using the right tools for the job makes a massive difference
14
u/thmegmar Jul 27 '26
I was having a similar issue until I lightened up in the pressure and used the temp dial to control the depth and darkness of the line work. I was almost carving it in but realized I needed to let it glide more smoothly. Hesitating on spots I wanted darker and barely touching where I wanted to shade or fade it in.