Variable Temperature Pyrography Pen – A Powerful Tool

How much do you know about a PYROGRAPHY PEN, one of the essential parts of the pyrography kit, which has a temperature varying system? While some burner tools come with a fixed temperature setting, others come with a temperature control feature to increase and decrease pen temperature.

Yes, pyrography pens with temperature control or variable temperature settings do exist, and they are very easy to use. This type of pen does not need to be connected to a burner tool as it already has a temperature adjustment feature. So all you have to do is plug it in and use it.

Now the thing with temperature control pens is that there are several types of them, and they come with an entirely different set of features. So if you are not very familiar with this type of pen or want to know more, you will find this article highly informative.

Features of Variable Temperature Burning Pen

Nowadays, burner pens with variable temperature settings have become quite popular. That is because they come with some exceptional features. Not only do they have high-quality build design, but they also have safety features. So here are some of the most notable features you can get in such a pen.

Construction/Material

Most burner pens available in the market with temperature settings are made with better-quality material. In fact, many of them are made with a combination of materials, such as iron heads, high-quality plastic handles and other heat-resistant materials.

One Press On And Off Button

Pyrography pens with variable temperature settings come with a single ON/OFF /button or separate ON and OFF buttons. However, not all models have these power switches. If the pen does not come with a power switch, that means it will begin to heat up once you plug it in. And when you are not using the pen, instead of unplugging it, you can just turn the temperature level to the lowest or 0.

Temperature Control

Obviously, these pens come with a temperature control setting. It allows you to increase and decrease the temperature as needed. As for the controller system in pen, it comes in various types. And I have discussed more of them in the next section of this article.

Interchangeable Pen Tips

New pyrography burner pens are more versatile. As a result, they come with interchangeable burning tips or nibs. You can remove one tip and replace it with another to achieve various burning shades and textures.

Multi-Purpose Use

Pyrography pens with variable temperature control settings are often known as multi-purpose pens. That is because, with the ability to change tips and changing temperatures, one can use them for burning other materials, such as leather, fabric, paper, and vegetables. You can also use them as soldering iron, heat transfer pen, hot cutting knife, etc.

Safe Design

Even a pyrography pen with a temperature control system often heats up more than you set it up for. But the good thing is all of them come with temperature shield material or rubber grip on the handle, making it safer to carry on with the projects.

Accessories

If you get a store-bought pyrography pen with variable temperature control, you are likely to get more than just the pen. Each of these pens comes with various accessories, such as interchangeable pen tips, a stand, tip cleaner, storage box, carry bag or case, etc. But the number of accessories you get depends on the brand and price of the pen box.

Types

As I mentioned earlier, a burner pen with variable temperature control has types too. So far, I have found 3 types, such as a pen with an external controller, an attached controller, and an attached controller and built-in display. Here is more on them.

Pyrography Pen With An External Temperature Controller

• This type of pyrography pen has a temperature controller built externally into the wiring system, much like an adapter.
• The controller has a rotating function, indicating various temperature settings.
• While some of these pens show the temperature level in number, others just show it in various color grades.
• If you have such a pen that has color grades, the lightest color indicates a low temperature while the darkest indicates the highest temperature.
• If the pen does not come with an On and Off switch, you can set it to its lowest temperature when not using.
• While this type of pen is not the most convenient, it is no less popular than others.

Here’s a video on this type of burner pen.

Another video here on this type burn art pen.

Pyrography Pen With An Attached Temperature Controller

• This type of pyrography pen comes with a controller knob set up in its handle.
• However, the placement of the knob will not interfere with your gripping comfort when you work.
• The temperature controller comes with a rotating knob system. 
• And the temperature level is written on the knob with a marked area next to it on the pen handle.
• You can increase or decrease the temperature by rotating the knob, and the number that points to the marked area will be the current heating temperature of the pen.
• Like the previous type, this one often does not come with an On/Off function.
• If it doesn’t, just turn the temperature setting to 0 to cool it off or when not using it.

Pyrography Pen With An Attached Temperature Controller And Built-In Display

• This type of pyrography pen is the most advanced of all types, in my opinion.
• Such a pen comes with all sorts of necessary functions, such as ON and OFF buttons, the temperature increasing and decreasing buttons, a digital, LCD, or LED display, etc.
• Depending on the brands, there could be one ON/OFF or separate buttons.
• The power button helps you turn the pen on or off with a single press of the buttons. That means there will be no need to unplug the pen or turn the controller to the lowest setting.
• Unlike rotating knob controllers, this type of pen lets you control the temperature with the dial of the buttons.
• And the display helps you read the current and accurate temperature of the pen, making it more convenient.

How To Use

Now comes the most important part. If you have already used a regular pyrography pen with a burner tool, you already know how it works. Now, what about knowing how to use a pyrography pen with temperature adjustment or control?

Step 1: Prepare The Pen

Before you do anything else, make sure to set up your pen. If you already know what type of design you are going to work on, choose a pen tip of your choice and set it up. Make sure to check if the pen tip is placed properly.

Step 2: Plug In/Turn On The Pen

Temperature adjustment pyrography pens come with plug-in cords. So plug your pen in and let it heat up. If your burner pen has an ON/OFF feature, make sure you have pressed the ON button to turn on the pen. Otherwise, it will not heat up.

Step 3: Adjust The Temperature

As a pyrographer, you should know what temperature level you need for your project. So rotate the temperature control knob or press the temperature up or down button to adjust the temperature level. But if you are unsure, you can start with a low-temperature setting and increase it gradually to find the right burning temperature, testing it on a different piece.

Step 4: Burn Your Pyrography Design

Finally, once you have found the right temperature setting, you are ready to use the pen. And after you are done using it, just turn it off by pressing the OFF button. If your pen does not have an ON/OFF button, turn the knob to 0 temperature or just unplug the pen.

Advantage Of Using A Pyrography Pen With Temperature Control

You can certainly stick to your standard pyrography burner pen and burner tool. However, they are not always the most convenient. This is where a variable temperature wood burning pen jumps in. And here are some reasons why you may like to switch to a burner pen with temperature control. 

Easy To Use

You cannot use a regular burner pen without a burner tool. On top of that, if the burner does not come with a temperature control setting, it becomes a lot harder to keep track of the accurate temperature.

But you don’t have to go through any of that when you use a temperature variation pen. With all the necessary buttons and features in one tool, it becomes easier and more convenient to use such a pen.

Portable

Isn’t it a big hassle to carry around the burner tool and other equipment and accessories when doing your pyrography projects somewhere other than your workshop? But you can say goodbye to those hassles when you use a temperature variation pen. As the pen and all its necessary accessories come in a bag or carrying case, it becomes easily portable. 

Space-Saving

The carrying case or bag accommodates pretty much everything you need for your wood burning projects. So whether you are traveling with your burner items or just tucking them away, they will not take up much of your storage space.

Cost-Effective

Despite all the cool and convenient features, this type of pyrography pen does not cost a lot of money. That’s right! You can buy a burner pen with a temperature control feature and even an LED display, and it will still be affordable for any pyrographer.

Suitable For Different Projects

Since this type of pyrography pen has low to high-temperature settings, you can use them for more than wood burning projects. Other than wood, you can use this pen for doing pyrography on paper, fabric, leather, and other safe surfaces. And with the variety of pen tips that often come with the pen, you can do any project from regular line art to 3D pyrography.

Final Words

If I’m asked whether I prefer the regular burner tool or a variable temperature pyrography pen, I will obviously choose the latter. It is more convenient, easier to use, has straightforward instructions, and, of course, gives you more control over the burning temperature.

On top of that, with no burner tool needed, this type of pen is a lightweight option. So who would refuse to use something so handy? But whatever you do, make sure to wear safety glasses and masks when doing pyrography projects. And even though the burner pen comes with a heat shield rubber tube, you can get yourself safety gloves if necessary.

Related Reads

• Stencils for burning patterns on wood