I wish the handpiece cords were more flexible. Why don't you use coiled cords?

While coiled cords may seem like a good idea at first, they are not an option for a hotwire tool. They simply will not work. Coiled cords develop a magnetic field inside the coil. Because hot wire tools use such low voltage, the coil would "suck up" all the power, leaving little to nothing for the pen. Even if we could get a coil to work, the wire would still have to contain a large amount of copper, so the wire would still be as heavy. Coiling it up would actually give more weight at the back of the pen.

What is the difference between heavy duty and regular pens, and why would I choose one over the other?

Regular pens are recommended for most applications. HD pens were originally designed for schools, where students tend to be rough on the tips. HD pens have heavier connectors and tips, making them more durable. The trade-off is that they do not develop as much tip heat (you will need to use a higher heat setting) and the tip will not recover its heat as quickly as a regular pen. Some pens are only made in HD (quill makers and shaders) because they must be able to withstand considerable pressure.

Can I use a standard cord on an HD pen, or vice-versa?

Yes. Any Razertip cord can be used with any Razertip pen, but best results are obtained with HD pens on HD cords. In fact, any pen will perform better on an HD cord, but some users find the HD cords a bit stiff.

What do you mean when you say they perform better with an HD cord?

They heat up quicker and run cooler on the fingers with a HD cord.

My burner will not make a dark mark on wood until its set at "5" or higher? Why?

Our burners are designed to give a very broad range of heat. The lower half of the dial is used for waxes, plastics, or for detailing wood without leaving a brown mark. The top half of the dial provides enough heat to scorch wood. On the SSD10, you can change the low-end temperature range using a small screwdriver in the low-end adjustment port.

Sometimes my burner works great at a certain heat setting, and the next day I have to use a different setting to get the same burn. Why is this?

When the voltage from a wall plug changes, the temperature of the tip will change with it. Razertip burners are set to perform optimally at their rated voltage. We have seen wall outlet voltages vary by over 20 volts. Wall outlet voltage can change depending on time of day and demand on the system.

Is there any way I can change the tip on a fixed-tip pen myself?

No. When a tip needs replacing on a fixed-tip pen or an HD pen, the old tip needs to be removed and a new one welded in place using laser-welding technology. Too much heat during the removal and re-welding process will damage the pen. Where possible, the new tip is actually formed in the factory after it is welded into the pen.

There are so many tip shapes to choose from, and I do not want to be stuck with a pen that I can't use. How do I know which pen(s) I should buy?

Even though Razertip makes close to 500 different tip profiles, most artists will own and use between 2 and 6 different pens. Personal preference would dictate choice. We generally recommend starting with a large skew (#1L) pen - it is the one that is usually packaged with a new burner. Use it until you find its limitations for your work. At that time you can look at the available tip shapes and determine which shape(s) might work best for your needs. Also feel free to contact your dealer or Razertip for advice on which tip shapes might work best for your particular application.

Is there any way to use two pens at the same time on the SS-D10?

No. You must select one or the other. Even if the SS-D10 were wired to allow use of two pens at once, it would not work well as the transformer can only provide power for one tip at a time.

I am currently using a different brand of woodburning tool. Can Razertip pens be adapted to my existing burner?

Yes! We make adapter cords that let you use our pens on virtually any hot-wire burner power supply.

Will Razertip pens work as well on my non-Razertip burner as on a Razertip burner?

That depends on your needs and the specific burner you are using. Razertip burners give the fullest heat range and most stable temperatures for Razertip pens. Some non-Razertip burners may still burn too hot at their lowest setting while others may cause Razertip pen bodies to heat up prematurely, but all hot-wire type burners will make the tip hot. Contact us for more specific information on your burner.

Dura-GRIT Abrasive Cutters

Tough tungsten-carbide cutters for tough jobs. Very agressive yet leave quite a smooth finish. We rate them between a Ruby Carver and a Typhoon bur. They're very controllable and they last and last. Grit will not tear loose and the edges stay sharp. All have 1/8" shanks.

Razertip Catalogue

Download the lastest Razertip Pyrographic Tools Catalogue.