Pyrography, like most things we do, can have a risky side...
Here is a few of them...
Here is a few of them...
Pyrography involves two elements that, if handled carelessly, can hurt you...
Heat and Electricity
Heat and Electricity
Pyrography pen tips get hot... real hot... even when they are not glowing cherry red.. they are hot.
Inadvertently touching one that is turned on, can and will cause a severe burn.
Pyrography tools are powered by electricity... either 240v or 110v into the transformer.
Marginally less is fed to the pen, but care must be taken, not to accidentally touch the mains lead with the hot burning tip... a severe electrical shock is the result... it could even kill you.
Inadvertently touching one that is turned on, can and will cause a severe burn.
Pyrography tools are powered by electricity... either 240v or 110v into the transformer.
Marginally less is fed to the pen, but care must be taken, not to accidentally touch the mains lead with the hot burning tip... a severe electrical shock is the result... it could even kill you.
If children are going to use the burner, stay with them... teach them to be safe.
BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE MATERIAL YOU DECIDE TO BURN ON
WOOD:
NEVER Pyrograph or burn on man made "wood"
Such as: MDF, Particle Board, Chip Board or Craftwood etc..
These "woods" release lethal toxic fumes when burnt
Inhaling these fumes can cause major respiratory damage.
Such as: MDF, Particle Board, Chip Board or Craftwood etc..
These "woods" release lethal toxic fumes when burnt
Inhaling these fumes can cause major respiratory damage.
- Chemically treated natural wood should also be avoided at all costs -
Some natural woods give of toxic fumes, ask your supplier if the wood they sell is safe to burn on.
Leather:
Not all leather can be pyrographed
It MUST be vegetable tanned leather
It MUST be vegetable tanned leather
Cow, Steer, Calf, Goat, Deer, Pig or Kangaroo skin can be pyrographed, just as long as it is vegetable tanned
The majority of commercially processed leather is chrome tanned....
It is toxic when burned
This picture shows you how to tell the difference
It is toxic when burned
This picture shows you how to tell the difference
Gourds:
There has been quite a debate, over time, as to whether burning on gourds is a health risk or not
Personally, I doubt that burning on gourds is any more risky than it is burning on wood
Personally, I doubt that burning on gourds is any more risky than it is burning on wood
When gourds are purchased, they are usually already dried, but they have a skin layer over them that must be removed, before you can burn on them. There is some evidence, that the dust from this skin contains fungal spores, that should not be inhaled over long periods.
Below is how the average, dried, "unskinned", gourd looks
An unskinned, dried gourd
Below is how the average, skinned and sanded, gourd looks
A skinned and sanded gourd
The best way to both skin and sand a gourd and avoid the dust, is to sand them wet.
Use an old wash tub or discarded baby bath.
The sand paper to use is called wet and dry sanding paper... it's the type used by car repairers.
It usually comes in a pack of several grades... from coarse to fine... start with the coarse, end with the fine.
Use an old wash tub or discarded baby bath.
The sand paper to use is called wet and dry sanding paper... it's the type used by car repairers.
It usually comes in a pack of several grades... from coarse to fine... start with the coarse, end with the fine.
Wet and Dry sanding paper
Dealing with smoke and fumes:
No matter which surface you are burning on, there will be some smoke and/or fumes released as you burn.
Breathing them in over a long period is a health risk... however, there is a simple solution....
Place an electric fan close to where you are working... face it away from you and it will draw the fumes and smoke away from your face. Open a window as well to kept the air in the room circulating.
Breathing them in over a long period is a health risk... however, there is a simple solution....
Place an electric fan close to where you are working... face it away from you and it will draw the fumes and smoke away from your face. Open a window as well to kept the air in the room circulating.
Clearing the air
Closing note:
You WILL accidentally burn yourself from time too time... usually it's minor, but painful....
I keep a small Aloe Vera plant close by for such occasions... snap a piece off and rub the juice on the burn..
Mother Nature's burn salve... it works!
I keep a small Aloe Vera plant close by for such occasions... snap a piece off and rub the juice on the burn..
Mother Nature's burn salve... it works!
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