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The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => General Call Making Discussions => Topic started by: Marshall's Custom Calls on February 11, 2013, 10:44:09 PM

Title: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Marshall's Custom Calls on February 11, 2013, 10:44:09 PM

I've been looking for a wood burner to sign my calls and play with designing the wood on my calls. I was wondering if this would be a good buy?

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-hobby-woodburner-38593.html

Thanks for looking!

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: VECtor Calls on February 11, 2013, 11:36:50 PM

It would be quite a bit different than a nicer unit, and the price shows that.

I really like my Detail Master Sabre, and I would not go back to a cheap one for nothing. 

Vince

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Wes on February 11, 2013, 11:55:25 PM

Like most anything , you get what you pay for. Detail Master is a good brand of the better burners, Colwood is another. I always recommend The Colwood Cub for someone starting out , it is about as low as you can find a quality tool and like the Detail Master it has a replaceable tip hand piece available or fixed tip hand pieces  . If you look at Ron Gould's wood burning work, he is using the Cub and seems to get pretty good results with it.....

Wes

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Marshall's Custom Calls on February 12, 2013, 06:59:28 AM

Thanks guys. I just don't know if those larger investments are possible for me now. I just bought a collet chuck and expanding mandrels and call making supplies so my bank account needs to take a breather. Maybe later on down the road.

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Gouldman on February 12, 2013, 07:30:22 AM

Yeah the Cub works well and is relatively inexpensive, I found that certain tips work better for me.
Ron

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Robert A. on February 12, 2013, 09:28:22 AM

This is something i would like to begin doing as well.. Not sure if this is a good price or not but its a total package..
If I may ask; What to you recommend Ron?

http://www.gregdorrance.com/colwood-deluxe-woodburner-wood-package-fixed-pens-p-5431.html

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Wes on February 12, 2013, 10:15:19 AM

Greg Dorrance is a great place to buy wood carving supplies and tools , I get a lot from them and they are very quick at shipping your order out , usually the same day. I wouldn't get that set , I would buy the control unit , one replaceable tip hand piece and several tips for it. much cheaper that way. I am sure prices have went up since I bought mine but it was $7 for the replaceable tip and $15 for the fixed tip , the replaceable tip hand piece cost a little more , but you only need one of them for life and it costs less then half for the new tips...

Wes

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Robert A. on February 12, 2013, 04:18:40 PM

Thanks Wes!!!

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Marshall's Custom Calls on February 12, 2013, 05:57:38 PM

Yeah Wes! Thanks!!

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Gouldman on February 12, 2013, 07:47:17 PM

Yeah Wes hit it on the head....Buy just a control unit and the replaceable tips, I've found that most of my work its done with 2 tips. I have tips that came in my set that I've used very little. I'll post up a burnt call I did for the CCAA NWTF Show in a day or so it was done with 2 tips.  Ron

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Dave @ Hagermans Custom Calls on February 12, 2013, 07:50:14 PM

Here is a great starter set that I have and it works great. Klingspor has the cub kit.
http://www.woodworkingshop.com/search.aspx?q=Wood+burning

Woodburning / Pyrography Mega Kit
$109.95

Item #:
CE90000

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: Wes on February 12, 2013, 11:30:31 PM

That looks like a nice starter set and has enough tips to do just about anything you would want to do..

Wes

Quote from: Dave at DNA Game Calls on February 12, 2013, 07:50:14 PM

Here is a great starter set that I have and it works great. Klingspor has the cub kit.
http://www.woodworkingshop.com/search.aspx?q=Wood+burning

Woodburning / Pyrography Mega Kit
$109.95

Item #:
CE90000

Title: Re: Is this a good wood burner?
Post by: dogcatcher on February 12, 2013, 11:34:24 PM

I would compare prices with the Colwood site, I think they are a few dollars cheaper.  Also check shipping, the Klingspor shipping charges is one of the best on the business.  If you need sandpaper, buy it at the same time, nothing better than Klingspor  sandpapers.

For a cheap burner check out Walnut Hollow Versa Tool, it is not a Colwood, but a lot better than the other "solder" type woodburners.   

Marvin