How to Burn Wood Using a Solder Gun

How to Burn Wood Using a Solder Gun
Written By
Kurt Schanaman
Kurt Schanaman
Published: Oct 23, 2009
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
2 minute read

Woodburning art, known as pyrography, is a great way for you to express your artistic side. Use this technique to decorate woodworking projects. There is little need for any specialized tools to move you along on your journey. You might have all the tools you need in your hobby den and just haven't realized it yet. And if not, the necessary items are commonly found in any art or electronics store.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Soldering Iron Set, 20-Watt Minimum, Adjustable Temperature
  • Bowl Of Water
  • Sponge
  • Artist'S Charcoal Pencil Set
  • Soldering Iron Tip Set
  • Medium- And Fine-Grit Sandpaper
  • Jason Crowgey/Demand Media

    Sand your wood surface with medium-grit sandpaper and then smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.

    Jason Crowgey/Demand Media

    Draw your art onto the wood using a charcoal pencil set, darkening in large areas to be burned and drawing fine lines, as necessary for your design.

    Jason Crowgey/Demand Media

    Place a sponge into a bowl and fill with water until the water line is only covering the bottom half of the sponge.

    Jason Crowgey/Demand Media

    Install your desired soldering tip with which you intend to begin. Adjust the soldering iron temperature to 20 watts for burning fine lines and small areas, increasing the temperature for deep lines and larger areas. Burn your pattern as desired. Brush your soldering iron tip briskly across the wet sponge every two or three minutes to prevent wood from hardening onto the tip.

    Jason Crowgey/Demand Media

    Use fine-grit sandpaper to erase any lines remaining on your wood surface that you chose not to burn. Unplug soldering iron and allow to cool. Clean your soldering tips according to the instructions included with your set.

    Warnings:

    • Soldering iron tips can become hot enough to burn through several layers of skin requiring immediate medical attention. Always use your iron with the utmost care. When not handling your soldering iron pencil, always place it in the soldering station holder.
    Kurt Schanaman

    Kurt Schanaman has had several editorials printed by the Star-Herald Newspaper publication in Western Nebraska. He attended Western Nebraska Community College.

    Sponsored
    Our Pastimes Logo

    A destination for the avid collector and weekend hobbyist alike, Our Pastimes features articles and tips about your favorite cards and games, hobbies and more.

    Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

    Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.