Peter Child Pyrography Tool Review

  Hello everyone, this is my first blog so please bear with me during these tentative first steps. Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Richard and I am a pyrographer based in Nottinghamshire, UK.

I was wondering what would a good subject for my first blog when I finally decided that the best place would be a review of the tool I use. For many would-be pyrographers choosing what tool to purchase can be quite daunting, after all there is quite a range of makers, types and costs to consider. While I won't go down that road right now I will explain why I chose the Peter Child tool.

Pyrography tools can cost anywhere from about £30-£200 so prior research is a must. Typing in 'pyrography tool' will get you loads of hits but it won't take you long to follow up a few hits; this is what I did and after reading quite a few reviews I decided to check out the Peter Child website.

To quote the site's information:

• Light, accurate, controllable pen
• Variable heat up to 1100 degrees C
• Writes quickly and as fluently as a fountain pen
• Handle stays cool even after hours of work
• Tips easy and very cheap to replace
• Easy to make your own tips from special wire supplied
• Make tips to your design

"The Peter Child Artist's Pyrography Machine has been made by hand here at Little Yeldham for more than 40 years. It is deliberately over-engineered to be extremely robust and reliable. Units out there have been working hard continuously for twenty years or more. It is ideal for professional pyrographers who depend on this tool to make an income.
The power unit is housed in a strong steel case and if you look inside you will see no electronics (to go wrong) but solid brass and phosphor bronze heavy duty components designed to withstand many years of use. If it is damaged it is easy and economical to repair."

The reviews by others and the helpful information on the website clinched it for me, so this is now the official 'Blasted Oak Pyrography' tool. So what is it like to own then?

• The base unit feels solid and dependable. I've used it all day at shows in the hottest weather and its never got hot enough to worry me in the slightest. The power dial goes from 0-10, and neither the dial nor the switch feels as though they are going to break or fall off.
• My tool came with two pens and plenty of spare wire, including several ready-made spoon points. The pens are great, again I've used them continuously all day and they just don't get hot! They are a nice size too, fitting easily in my hand.
• Its easy to burn on most types of wood and the newer the wire the hotter it gets. New wire is quite soft but after a couple of burns it soon settles down. Most of my burning is on birch ply or sycamore and I don't usually go higher than 1-2 on the dial.

• When it comes to changing the wire tips, it couldn't be simpler and all it requires is a screwdriver and wireclippers. The wire for the tool is easy enough to obtain and in various gauges. Wire is easy to shape so some interesting tips can be made for burning patterns.
• Its hard to think of a negative, but if I was being very picky there are cheaper tools available which might be better value for the amateur pyrographer, but you do get what you pay for, and for versatility and quality its hard to find a better tool.

So there you have it, a concise review on the Peter Child pyrography tool, I hope you found it useful. If you have any useful comments or criticisms please share them below, thank you.

Richard :)