Wood burning, otherwise known as pyrography, allows people to create beautiful and intricate designs in wood. To do that, you need the wood-burning tool.
Our experience and research led us to the wood-burning tools that should help elevate your skills and enhance your artwork. We even compiled some key factors to look for when shopping for wood-burning tools.
Best Wood Burning Tools:
1. Walnut Hollow Creative Versa-Tool
The Walnut Hollow Creative Versa-Tool provides incredible versatility thanks to the 11 interchangeable points. There’s a wide temperature range so you can use the appropriate amount of heat for each project.
With a comfortable grip and heat shield, you may work longer without feeling fatigued or burned by the tool. Many people enjoy how simple this unit is to use and control.
You can maintain a well enough hold, and it reaches fast while holding them long enough for you to get in a good deal of work. There were complaints about the placement of the temperature control, however.
It’s too far down that some users felt the tool pull, while it caused others to accidentally change the heat setting. The Creative Versa-Tool from Walnut Hollow is a wood-burning kit for simple jobs. It’s straightforward to use, and it comes with enough tips so you can practice multiple art styles on various surfaces.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Able to maintain a good grip
- Comes with a good assortment of points
- Reaches high temperatures fast
Cons
- Poor placement of heat control dial
2. Walnut Hollow Creative Wood Burner Introduction Value Pen
The Walnut Hollow Creative Wood Burner Pen seems ideal for those of you just starting in your wood-burning journey. It’s minimalistic, yet effective as it comes with four points you can switch out for different jobs.
This pen focuses on being user-friendly as the cord is a good length and is easily mounted with a small on-and-off switch. One of the most talked-about aspects is how simple this is to use. The tool isn’t bulky so you can grip it well, and it heats up rapidly so you can get to work faster.
You can’t control the heat, however, just turn it on or off. Also, it can get too hot, so it may be best to wear gloves since the grip doesn’t protect beyond the heat shield. The Walnut Hollow Creative Wood Burner Introduction Value Pen is a wood-burning pen for beginners. It’s affordable, and you even get easy-to-follow instructions to teach you about the points.
Pros
- Non-bulky design
- Easy to change the points
- Quick heat-up process
Cons
- Can become too hot
- No actual temperature control
3. Dremel 2000-01 VersaTip Precision Torch
If you seek versatility in your professional work, consider the Dremel 2000-01 VersaTip Precision Torch. It’s a 14-piece accessory kit that allows you to perform numerous jobs beyond wood burning.
This is highly portable thanks to the cordless design, and the fuel tank can burn well for up to 75 minutes. With the integrated ignition, you have an easy startup, and the safety lock prevents any accidental starts.
Consumers appreciate that this puts out an impressive amount of heat, and also just how quick and easy it is to reach high temperatures. It works well continuously so you can maintain a specific heat setting as well.
Some did claim to have problems with the removable flame guard as it can be tough to put on and take off.
The Dremel 2000-01 VersaTip is a top-rated professional wood-burning kit that may serve you well if you have a multitude of different jobs to handle. This is portable so you can take it on the go without worrying about being caught up in cords.
Pros
- Produces a good amount of heat
- Easy startup switch with safety lock
- Continuous flame option
- Good all-in-one tool
Cons
- Difficulties with the protective flame guard
4. Weller WSB25WB Short Barrel Wood Burning Kit
The Weller WSB25WB Short Barrel Wood Burning Kit is a popular 15-piece kit used by professionals and hobbyists alike. You get a multitude of accessories including nine different wood-burning points.
This tool is not only versatile but reliable as well thanks to the stainless steel barrel. The handle is also resistant to heat and impact so it’ll keep you safe and withstand frequent use or accidental drops.
Consumers praise the short barrel of this wood-burning tool as it can help you maintain better control. The grip remains safe to handle even at high heat, and the 7-year warranty provides peace of mind in case anything happens.
For improvement, users report that the cord could benefit from being longer with more flexibility.
The Weller WSB25WB Short Barrel is another high-quality professional wood-burning tool. Users appreciate the varied tips as well as the comfortable grip that doesn’t reach uncomfortable temperatures.
Pros
- Includes a 7-year warranty
- Comes with various tips
- A great amount of control
- Grip doesn’t accumulate much heat
Cons
- Cord seems low-quality
5. drtulz Wood Burning Kit
This Wood Burning Kit features 56 total pieces with 28 interchangeable wood burning points for a multitude of design options. It heats up relatively fast, and you can get a good grip without worrying about feeling the heat too much.
The pen also has a comfortable temperature range to adapt to various techniques and surfaces.
With this pyrography pen, users appreciate how well it serves beginners since it includes different tips and stencils for practice. There are even colored pencils in the kit so you can further personalize and play around with your art.
Some users feel the temperature control could be placed better since it’s easy to accidentally hit it.
The drtulz Wood Burning Kit is the pyrography kit for introductory wood-burning lessons. It features several wood-burning points, stencils, and a case to keep it all neatly packed up.
Pros
- Multiple accessories for beginners
- Grip is comfortable
- Good temperature range
Cons
- Awkward location for temperature control
6. TRUArt Stage 1 Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen
The TRUArt Stage 1 Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen is a professional-class wood-burning tool that features more than a dozen interchangeable tips. It’s light in weight and easy to maneuver. With multiple power modes and heat retention, you can get a fast heat-up process whether you’re working on wood or leather.
Users mention they enjoy the detailed instructions that come with the kit as they teach you more about wood burning for beginners and how to use the tips. There’s even a stencil set included to help guide you along.
Concerning complications, some feel the overall build could be better. The cord may loosen up over time, and the tips are known to wobble under high heat. This Stage 1 Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen is an ideal professional pyrography kit as it features just enough tips for common jobs, and with the dual power mode, it heats fast while having great heat retention.
Pros
- Detailed instructions included
- Doesn’t take long to heat up
- Tips are easy to change
Cons
- Low-quality build
7. TRUArt Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen Set
The Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen Set from TRUArt features a quality aluminum case where you can stash everything in a safe and easy-to-reach place. It includes everything a beginner needs to get started as well as enough interchangeable tips for a professional to make good use of.
The pen heats up well and fast, and the heat retention is top-quality. Consumers enjoy how straightforward the tool works for those new to wood burning and those who are seasoned artists.
It has great versatility thanks to more than 30 tips and the rubber grip blocks out enough heat that you can work for a long time in relative comfort. Although you can work long, there’s a chance the tips can overheat and lose their strength.
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional looking for a wood-burning pyrography kit, you can’t go wrong with the TRUArt Wood and Leather Pyrography Pen Set. It features dozens of tips, a stencil, and a comfortable, heat-resistant grip.
Pros
- Shreds paper so tiny no one can reassemble it
- Cheap
- Has auto mode
- Compact
Cons
- Chance for the tips to overheat
8. INTLMATE Wood Burning Kit
The INTLMATE Wood Burning Kit is a rather massive set that includes more than 30 points, several stencils each with different designs, a pencil, a case, and even a penknife. Temperature adjustment is simple, and the range is wide enough so you can create art on different surfaces. The technology inside allows the pen to heat up in seconds so you won’t have to sit around and wait.
Consumers enjoy how consistent the heat is once the tool warms up to your set temperature. They also appreciate the ease with which you can control the heat as well as the multiple stencils for learning purposes.
Users didn’t seem to enjoy how the handle can still heat up too much even with protective gear in place. Also, they feel that, even with the ergonomic design, the tool isn’t easy to handle for heavy-duty projects.
The INTLMATE Wood Burning Kit is among the wood-burning art tools. With multiple tips and stencils with a variety of patterns, the kit is helpful for students and anyone else just starting to do pyrography.
Pros
- Heat remains consistent
- Comes with various stencils and templates
- Easy to control the temperature
- Ergonomic design handle
Cons
- Could have better control
- Handle may get uncomfortably hot
9. Chandler Tool Wood Burning Kit
The Chandler Tool Wood Burning Kit features a reliable wood-burning pen. It’s designed well with an insulated handle, and the extra-long cord helps keep it out of the way so you can focus on your art.
This pen also comes with just enough interchangeable tips for light-duty work. It still heats up fast, and it can maintain a consistent temperature well. Consumers appreciate this as an all-in-one tool. It’s versatile for artists across various skill levels, and it’s easy enough to handle thanks to the insulated and ergonomic design.
Despite maintaining consistent heat depending on the specific tip you’re using, there isn’t any other kind of temperature control. So, whatever the heat reaches, that’s what you’re stuck using.
The Chandler Tool Wood Burning Kit sits among top-rated pyrography tools for beginners and intermediate users alike. It features numerous helpful features from an insulated handle to an extra-long cord.
Pros
- Maintains a consistent heat
- Easy to handle
- Good variety of tips
Cons
- Lacks temperature control options
10. TAMEHOM Wood Burning Kit
The TAMEHOM Wood Burning Kit is a tool meant for different jobs, and at the same time, designed with newcomers in mind. It features a lightweight build that’s simple to navigate with, and there’s adequate heat protection in the ergonomic handle.
You get nine different wood-burning points to switch out, and it features a fast heat-up system so you can get to work in less than a minute from when you turn it on.
Consumers enjoy how well-built the pen itself is. They also enjoy how easy it is to hold, which is an even better feature for beginners to learn how to be comfortable with the pen. Adjusting the temperature is simple too.
Even so, the temperature seems to cool down too fast to do longer projects, and the tips may overheat and bend out of shape. As a professional wood burner pen, the TAMEHOM Wood Burning Kit features a user-friendly layout that allows those new to the art to understand it with ease. There’s no shortage of ways you can transform wood with the kit.
ros
- Quality ergonomic handle
- Assorted tips
- Straightforward temperature adjustment
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Tips seem low in quality
- Cools down fast
Factors to Consider
Now that you know about some of the top-rated tools and kits for wood burning, it may help to learn more about the tool in general. By doing so, you may have an easier time deciding what the pyrography pen for your needs is.
Temperature and Heat Retention
The purpose of wood burning is for it to burn the wood enough so you can create designs. Depending on the exact surface and the project you’re working on, you’ll want the heat to be high enough that it leaves noticeable markings.
Additionally, the tool should have good heat retention for the sake of consistency. This way, you’re not constantly turning the tool off and on or adjusting the temperature while you work.
Comfort and Control
No matter what wood-burning kit you’re using, the set won’t do you much good if it’s not comfortable to handle.
Quality pyrography tools feature an ergonomic design, a rubber handle, or even a combination of the two. This helps you maintain a firm grip without having to hold it too tight.
This design also aids in giving you better control over the tool. Having a lightweight construction contributes to that also.
Versatility
When you search for a pyrography kit, you expect to find a wood-burning tool that’s versatile. Kits usually include various tips so you can switch out points depending on your project. Some have a handful, while others feature dozens.
Also, consider kits that can handle different surfaces in case you want to use the tool for something more than wood burning.
Safety
Safety is, of course, an important factor to keep in mind while shopping.
It’s normal for things to get heated considering you’re wood burning. However, many quality tools feature ways to protect you from the heat such as a heat shield or an insulated body so you won’t feel much.
If in doubt, don’t hesitate to wear gloves while working, especially in the case of children using the tool.
Wood Burning Tool FAQ
Can wood-burning tools be used on surfaces other than wood?
Whether a pyrography tool can be used on other surfaces like leather depends on the tool. Some are designed as all-in-one tools so you can use them for various projects. Others focus just on wood. You have to check with the individual tool to learn what you can do with it.
Can you adjust the heat on a wood-burning tool?
Some wood-burning tools feature temperature control dials so you can change the heat within a set range. Others only have an on and off button, but they reach a preset temperature. In this case, the heat can change based on the tip you’re using.
Should a wood-burning tool include multiple tips?
It’s certainly helpful if a pyrography pen comes with different tips. Various wood-burning tips ensure that you can apply the tool to different jobs and art styles, and it also means you don’t have to go out and buy them separately.
Making the Decision
From our search, we feel the Walnut Hollow Creative Versa-Tool is the wood-burning tool for the average person. It’s not too flashy, is simple to use, and you can adjust the temperature. The tool can even reach high heat fast, and it comes with 11 interchangeable tips.
The tool also has a good grip so you have greater control over your work.