Wood burning pen blanks?

[Woodchipper]

Got this idea in the wee hours of this AM. I thought that light woods as maple could stand some panache. In addition, if the design was big enough, it could be filled in with paint. Has anyone done this? What finish is recommended? Thanks two bunches.

 

[JohnU]

It will work just fine like with engraving on wood. I've used regular acrylic craft paint to rub into engraving and wipe off the high spots and let dry. Then apply a CA finish over it.

 

[Woodchipper]

Thanks, JohnU.

 

[duncsuss]

If you search for "Binh Pho pen" you might find a few more besides this image. I've seen a pen that was made by Jerry Sambrook and then decorated by Binh Pho (woodburning and airbrushing), I don't remember seeing this pen and box before.

 

[Woodchipper]

I think that Binh Pho was featured in a past issue of the AAW magazine. Can do wood burning (wife's job) and airbrushing. Need to brush up on my skills (no pun intended but it did sound cute).

 

[RunnerVince]

I often use a wireburning tool (piece of guitar wire between two handles) to put burn lines on pens with uninteresting woods and create a tactile "grip" on the pen. Obviously, that works best with a non-film finish; otherwise the grip becomes purely cosmetic.

Simply put a small groove into your pen, then hold the wire into the groove and let friction do its thing. DO NOT WRAP THE WIRE AROUND YOUR FINGERS.

 

[duncsuss]

I think that Binh Pho was featured in a past issue of the AAW magazine. Can do wood burning (wife's job) and airbrushing. Need to brush up on my skills (no pun intended but it did sound cute).

Yes he was featured in American Woodturner magazine.

I had the good fortune to see him demonstrate a couple of times at the Fuller Craft Museum and to take a hands-on class with him. I took with me a small lidded box (some random wood, perhaps apple) and asked him if he thought it was suitable for the decorating methods he used - he said "Let's see" and took it from me. It has pride of place on my display shelf - my crappy little box with a panel that has two dragonflies by the master.

 

[Woodchipper]

RV, I use a checkering tool to burn lines. I do have enough smarts not to wrap anything around body parts and operate moving machinery. However, some people don't swim in the gene pool.

 

[Gary Beasley]

I have used pyrography to decorate a rather plain looking blank with a brick pattern around the barrel. With a bit of skill and a good set of pyro nibs you can generate some stunning designs.