Pyrography: Colwood Super Pro 2 Wood burning & Review...Let's take a closer look!

Hi Guys! Today I am wood burning with strictly the Colwood Super Pro 2 to give you the best look at how this wood burner performs during an actual wood burning session. I used only 4 tips for this piece and it is burner on a small piece of sanded birch. The pyrography took much longer than I expected, but hey that is me.
I will be doing a review/burning video for all four of my burners so we can see in detail how each burner performs, giving you a better idea of which one you might be interested in. I will also be adding color to all 4 of these burnings, so we can take advantage of testing different color media and looks.
I purchased my Colwood Super Pro 2 kit from Mountain WoodCarver's: www.mountainwoo...
** PROMO CODE: VAL **
"Purchase any woodburner system (Colwood, Nibsburner, Burnmaster) and get FREE our woodburner's strop (no. 5022) and abrasive (no.1224) a $12.95 value. Keeps your woodburning tips sharp and clean. Strop has leather for polishing on one side (use powdered abrasive) and high grit abrasive on reverse for sharpening. Just mention the promo code VAL."
Phone in their order 1.800.292.6788
or shop online at:
www.woodburner... or www.mountainwo...
Don't forget to join our FaceBook group and post your own woodburnings to share or to get help!
/ valarie-connell-drawin...
Please remember to like, comment & if you're new, SUBSCRIBE!
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**This is not a sponsored video unless stated otherwise above in the description and in the video. All art and video is copyright to the creator. This video may not be used in anyway outside of viewing on KZbin without expressed written permission.
MUSIC
Easy Day by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/

[@joannecarroll5504]

I came by today because someone had commented how talented you are on another channel's comments. They were absolutely right, so I subscribed. I look forward to seeing more of your work & to watch your channel grow.

[@DrawingWithFire]

Welcome Joanne, and thank you! 😁 If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

[@pamelareichardtmundell3208]

Thank you so much for these videos! I started woodburning a couple months ago, and your work is inspirational.

[@DrawingWithFire]

+Pamela Reichardt Mundell Awe thanks Pamela! 🤗I really appreciate it. I'm so glad you started burning. What type of art are you burning? Please feel free to share over on the DrawingWithFire fb group. I love seeing other people's art. 😁

[@pamelareichardtmundell3208]

Valarie Connell /DrawingWithFire Great! I will go to the Facebook page.

[@ArtofJosephFinchum]

Really liked watching this come together. Such an interesting medium.

[@DrawingWithFire]

+The Art of Joseph Finchum Thanks Joseph! 😆 It's hard trying to edit the videos, in that I don't want to miss anything, but I didn't want it the be 4+ hours long. Now on to the same drawing different machine. 😲

[@richypyrography]

Beautiful burning Val. Love the contrast and the transparency.

[@DrawingWithFire]

+Ricardo Coelho Thanks Richy! 😁

[@blondie92casper74]

Omfg your talented!!!!! Would love to learn your favourite machine,woods,tips and size of tip. Would also love more videos of you teaching how to do different styles and techniques. you make it look easy and your voice is calming making learning from you a relaxing process. Im just blow away with your talent!!!!!

[@DrawingWithFire]

Awe thanks Heather! 😁 Ok fav burner, right now I am going between the optima 1 and colwood super pro 2. Fav wood is basswood or birch. Fav tips: ball tips (all sizes), spoon shader (funny as neither burners above have one), and a tip called a no.17 course hair tip...only optima currently makes it. www.carvertools.com/op1pens.htm Is there a particular style you are interested in? I am expanding my horizons, but if there is something your interested I would love to give it a try. 😃 Pyrography does get easier! Patience, focus, and practice i think helps the most. I also think practicing in graphite & drawing, though not a must helps one to grow & get better at burning.

[@dbsartworks418]

Wow! That is amazing!

[@DrawingWithFire]

Thanks Donna!! 😆

[@paulhunter5364]

This is a really interesting video,Val. I think the recovery from the over darkening worked out quite well; well done. I think I can see why you prefer the spoon shader to that wide one you were using. I'm looking forwards to the next vid. Oh, I've not been around cos my router was faulty and the new one only turned up today. I've had no internet at home since Sunday. I trust your pain levels have eased a little at least.

[@DrawingWithFire]

Thanks Paul! 😆 Here you are...I was getting a little concerned and worried your pain was taking over. I'm glad it was just a technical issue keeping you away, even though that sucks. I'm glad you think the recovery worked out. I still wasn't completely happy with it, but I had already gotten over focused on it so much so...I just had to stop. Yeah this shader just doesn't do it for me. I'm sure I may use it a bit in the future for something, but I just really like the spoon shader...it doesn't let the grain grab it. I am a bit frustrated with the company right now. They haven't gotten back to my email. 😡 I do take into consideration they may be a busy company, but hey your making money off of me...you might want to answer. Next up a phone call. I hope this goes better than email. 😉

[@paulhunter5364]

Hope it does, too, Val. Most decent companies at least make the effort. If I don't get good customer service I switch to another company. It's strange though, because e-mails and face-book things are supposedly answered faster than other ways now. Hey but what's a customer matter, it's not as though we need them :/)

[@DrawingWithFire]

+Paul Hunter I totally agree! Sadly, they haven't been good about getting back to me whether a call back or email. Not good...not good at all. 😠

[@paulhunter5364]

That's abysmal. If they can't be arsed to respond I don't think they'd be getting very good reviews off me, no matter how good their kit is I'd be worried about having problems with it; will they repair/replace faulty items without hassle and promptly etc.? Will they honour guarantees and so on? Customer service should be paramount in any business.

[@DrawingWithFire]

+Paul Hunter Not only will I be asking my original questions, but I'm going to throw your's too. I want to see how they answer & give them a chance...things do happen. But if they respond negatively to me, everyone will hear about. It is to much money for people to spend only to get bad treatment...so we will just see what happens. The phone call will happen by tuesday/Wednesday at the latest.

[@KristyNicoleFineArt]

So Beautifulll!!!!

[@DrawingWithFire]

Kristy Nicole Fine Art Thanks Kristy! 😁

[@spoonfighter03]

Awesome, I wouldn't mind trying this sometime :-)

[@DrawingWithFire]

+spoonfighter03 Thanks! 😁 You definitely should.

[@caroleroelofs5912]

Would like to see more burning, Would like you to demo the Tektree burner.

[@DrawingWithFire]

Thanks Carole! 😁 I have 65+ burning videos here on my channel for you. 😃 As for the tektree wood burner, they are free to send me one to review, but I will not be buying that one. I have looked into it and just looking at the photos & reading the description (again) you DON'T want to spend your money on this one. Please check out my video review on the Optima 1. The optima 1 is the best on the market, high quality, and a great price. Why not the tektree? 1. The wire cords are made from lamp cord & the connectors have a high probability of melting. This burner pen will get extremely hot in your hand. These cords are heavy and the pen bodies are to large. Similar burner pens have caught fire & melted. 2. It is not an actual digital burner. 3. They show a bunch of tips, but most of them do the same texture and are repeats. 4. This burner and others similar on Amazon are made in China. When it breaks there will be no repairing. More times than not they have broken very quickly. 5. Reading the reviews, the tips are not fully secured in the copper fitting. 6. Anyone who has written a 4-5 ☆ review on Amazon are either new to wood burning & upgraded from a craft burner and understandably have no idea what to look for or got paid to write a good review. 7. The tips are weak and not polished, so there will be a drag against your wood as you burn. For $193 you can purchase a dual optima 1 with four pens of your choosing. Or for $169 a single optima 1 with 4 pens of your choosing. I recommend The 4 pens in my review video to get started. The optima is made in the US and carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for both base and pen body. To have a new tip put on your pen it's $7. All pens are fixed tipped & highly polished. The pens are & cords are lightweight and comfortable. www.carvertools.com I hope this helps! 😁 Based on what I know, I can not recommend the wire tip burners on Amazon... any of them like these. Tektree, top chance, truart, or happybuy are definitely ones to stay away from.

[@PyrographyMadeEasy]

Hi Valarie, I have a question for you. You mention in the video that you wished Colwood had a spoon shader. Why? What are the properties of a spoon shader that makes you want to use it? I ask because of all of the shaders I own, the spoon shader is my least favorite. Given the number of artist who use a spoon shader, there must be something that I don't understand about it. Brenda

[@DrawingWithFire]

Hi Brenda! 😁 I really just got used to a spoon shader after using it for so many years. I think it has more to do with being able to use it at a different angle, rather then flat. BUT since getting the optima and using the spear shader, I'm really not worried about the spoon so much. If your only spoon shader is the colwood version, I can see why you dont like it very much. It's an oval instead of a true spoon & not polished at all. I was really disappointed when i bought that one. I don't care for the shader I used in this video. I like shaders to be thinner and have more heat nuance. Spoon shaders have this when made right. I have since really moved away from the super pro 2. For the last 4 months my only burner that gets turned on is my optima. I try to use my other one, but I can really feel the difference now.

[@PyrographyMadeEasy]

Hi Valarie, thank you very much for the response. I've only tried the Colwood spoon shader, so maybe that was the issue. By the way, your work is wonderful. Not sure how you can do a live burn. I would be repeating myself and babbling nonsense the entire time. Thank you again. Brenda

[@DrawingWithFire]

Yep, I would say the colwood tip is the issue. 😉 You can use other brand pens on your colwood. I highly recommend trying some of the optima pens. I have a review on the optima too. BUT I would not use the razortip pens. Their metal is too thin & the pen gets even hotter then on a rt base. Not my favorite burner at all. Lol! I feel like I am babbling nonsense all thoughout the lives. 😆 That's why I got hubby with me... he can translate. 😂 Thanks so much Brenda!

[@jameslockhart4493]

hey Valerie I am wondering which wood burner starter kit to buy. I'm thinking I want a Colwood because of the great prices however I saw your review on the nibsburner ... SO which on do you think is better for someone who is just beginning? I sell my art and add color to all my wood burnings ... I want to invest at least 200 or less. I take your opinion serious because of how great all your art is :) Please Help :)

[@jameslockhart4493]

also this is Brittany James wife :) using his youtube :)

[@DrawingWithFire]

Thanks Brittany! 😁 I say go with the colwood super pro 2. Both are great burners, but right now nibsburner is still updating their burners & they don't have a lot or any on hand and they only are making 4 pens/tips types when they can. I'm really bummed about this. Unfortunately though none of the bigger (double pen) burners are under $200 (for a kit). My colwood super pro 2 kit was $215: mountainwoodcarvers.com/colwood.htm If you decide to buy from mountain wood Carver's, make sure to use promo code: VAL to get a free stop & aluminum oxide used to clean your tips. 😉 I dont get anything from the sale. Pam was kind enough to do the promo code for my subscribers. 😃 Also, when you can get the (3) ball tip set...they are very useful tips. I love them! If you are fine with one pen, then i say the colwood detailer kit (at the above link) would be a great buy at $169. I see there are some new tips (shaders) on the site, so I will be buying them. 😆

[@PENFOLD1962]

Hi Valerie, I'm having big problems getting a hold of a spoon shader too! I have the Peter Childs pyrography unit, I have made all my Pyography nibs but to be honest I only use 2 of them most of the time. I have made a shader but it's really difficult to control the burning temps! So I share your frustration lol. Your eye for detail 😲 is amazing, I'm nearly 55 and my eye's have been better lol😎. I'm also having problems getting hold of Beechwood ply! But after watching a few of your burning video's on watercolour paper I'm intrigued to say tbe very least... 👍😆👍 Take care 👍😀👌 @penfold_pyrography

[@DrawingWithFire]

Thanks Andrew! 😁 The Peter child's unit doesn't have a spoon shader? Huh...I don't have that unit, but I have seen it in videos. Have you checked out razortip? They are out of Canada & ship internationally. I'm wondering if there tips would fit your machine. It does appear that there is a spoon shader for your burner, but it is small. I found a 10pk of spoon shader for £8.95 here: www.turners-retreat.co.uk/pyrography-2/machines-and-machine-accessories/peter-child/spoon-points-10-pack As for Beechwood ply I have not burned on that. I burn either on birch or basswood. Watercolor paper defintely opens the door to other possibilities. 😃 My eyes aren't what they used to be...lol 😉 I have to wear glass now, but they do make it easier.

[@fierceflyer5]

I'm thinking of getting a razertip single burner. Could you use yours and tell the pluses and minuses? I'm a Woodturner and I'm looking to add some new aspects to my turnings.

[@DrawingWithFire]

Sure! 😁 I would say that the biggest con is that razortip has the least amount of output power on low end heat. Meaning you have to bump the razortip heat up higher for a similar burn with the other brands. Because I'm sure you turn all kinds of wood & at some point you are going to need a bigger range of heat, i really don't recommend the razortip. Also, the razortip pens really heat up uncomfortably in your hand. Honestly, your best bet would be either the optima or colwood. I am liking both of these. Optima only comes in fixed tip pens & this helps with consistent burns. Colwood comes with both fixed tip & interchangeable tips. Optina also has the best warranty on the burners & pens. Here's the optima: www.carvertools.com and the link for colwood & my promo code or in the video description. I hope this helps.

[@thesultanmerchant]

can you pl name some of the wood used for pyrography?

[@DrawingWithFire]

I used a small piece of birch in this video. I tend to use birch or basswood, in general. I also burn on 140lb watercolor paper. You can burn on all kinds of wood. Poplar is another popular wood to burn on. If you can find a light colored wood with even grain, it should be fine to burn on. If you plan to burn on a more exotic wood, I would do a google search to make sure the wood is safe to burn. Some can be toxic.

[@martinnels]

Hi, I'm just starting but curious if very light sanding (600-800 grit) would help clean up the outside area that you were not happy with?

[@DrawingWithFire]

Hi Martin & welcome! 😁 Because this video was over a year ago, I don't remember specifically what I wasn't happy with. 😁 I'm going to guess, it is part of the burning & yep you can clean up with sand paper. Though I wouldn't recommend 600-800 grit... that's to fine. When I fix issues with sand paper, I tend to fix with 220, and then finish that are a with 320 & 400. That is how I sand my boards before burning so it keeps the texture the same. 😉 Oh and p.s if you are looking to get a wire tip burner, I highly recommend the Optima 1. I actually don't really use my colwood any more. I have a review for the Optima and it is now my main all time burner. www.carvertools.com

[@marktrout5471]

Colwood doesn't control the heat well, what burner is better?

[@DrawingWithFire]

What issues are you having & how long have you had your burner? It should not be having an issue.

[@marktrout5471]

I have it on 5 or 6 and the temp varies to much, its always going colder and hotter. Is that typical of all wood burners?

[@marktrout5471]

I've have two, one is ten yts old and other one is about 4 and both does the same thing. I mostly burn land scape silhouettes, deer, trees, ect. On walking sticks

[@DrawingWithFire]

No worries! 😁 All tips/pens no matter the professional brand do loose heat (cool) the longer they make contact with the surface you are burning on. The surface is drawing the heat from the tip, which helps in the burning. They should return to the heat setting temp when you lift your pen/tip off of the surface for 5-10 seconds. This is called heat recovery time. I don't know if you can see in the videos, but I do stop every 30 seconds to 2 minutes and lift the pen off of the surface. If I am burning lighter, I blow quickly on the tip to lower the heat for a second so that when I make contact again I don't get a dark blob from the full recovery. I'm looking at my reference photo & thinking of my next move during these very quick breaks. I do mention me doing this is some of the lives, but I should make a video on the topic. It sounds like your colwood is working normally. I hope this helps. There are little nuances you learn the more you burn. Thank you for the video idea! I'm sure many others new to burning have the same great question. 😃

[@DrawingWithFire]

If you are seeing a bigger issue with your 10 yrs old base, I would look at buying new pen cords for that unit. Which models do you have? If you do buy new cords, I would make sure one of them is the colwood heavy duty cord. Also, which tips do you use the most? Thicker tips may hold the heat a tad longer, but have a few second more recovery time. Thinner tips will give up the heat quicker, but recover faster. If you feel you are losing more heat then you should, I would call colwood and talk to Denis or Steve: 732-938-5556