In addition to the classic method of wood burning designs on a well-polished wooden board, a wood burning machine can be used to correct imperfections in expensive wood or furniture. Therefore, don't be discouraged if the furniture blank isn't perfect or the finished piece is damaged, as it's easy to correct.
A small defect on the surface of wood can be hidden using a wood burning device, which helps preserve the product's marketable appearance.
Dents on the wood surface that are difficult to sand out can be removed using a wood burning device and a soldering iron. Add a few drops of water to the dent, dip the heated tip into it, and bring it to a boil. The heat and moisture cause the wood to swell. If the dent is not completely removed, repeat the procedure.
Additionally, if a knot or small resin pocket spoils the appearance of the surface, it is drilled out and the hole is sealed with a wooden plug. To ensure the surfaces, plugs, and components are flush, they are sanded with fine-grain sandpaper.
Small cracks and depressions on the surface of untreated wood can then be filled with filler, choosing a color that matches the wood. However, if the crack is deep, it's recommended to apply several layers of filler, allowing each layer to dry between coats. Once the filler is completely dry, sand the area. The workpiece is then finished as usual.
A wood burning machine can be used not only on wood but also on fabric. This creative process is called guilloche. To achieve high-quality and enjoyable results, the “needle” in a standard wood burning machine must be replaced with a specially shaped one. A guilloche needle can be made from a piece of nichrome wire with a diameter of 0.6-1 mm. To make the needle, you only need 8-10 cm of nichrome wire; it can be purchased at hardware stores. It's inexpensive.
A nichrome needle does not scorch the material, does not emit odor, and does not produce smoke. The needle configuration can be quite complex, allowing artisans to create delicate, lacy appliqués on fabric. The technique also involves pinning the material with a twisted nichrome needle, creating round, distinctive dots on the workpiece.
When installing a new needle into the burning machine, care must be taken. Alternatively, a twisted needle can be held by the tip with fingers and soldered to the wires in the burning machine body. An alternative mounting option involves mechanically securing the needle with screws. To do this, first create a sleeve with pins with holes to accommodate the needle. Then, tighten the screws along the threads with a standard screwdriver until they stop, and this securely holds the needle in the sleeve.
It's important to keep in mind that different fabrics have different melting temperatures. A simple home-use wood burning machine doesn't have a temperature control for the tip. Typically, such devices have only 1-2 operating modes. A household voltage regulator for lighting fixtures (lamps and floor lamps) (dimmer), which is also available in stores, can help adjust the temperature. The dimmer is plugged into a 220V outlet, and its output is connected to the wood burning machine. This combined device allows you to regulate the wood burning machine's voltage and power within a range of 60-300W. This adjustment allows you to find the optimal heating temperature for the tip to melt the material without scorching.
