Pyrography Fume Extraction

Hi all,
I don't know what is happening to time this summer, but it seems to me that it's going at a fair old gallop. I've been so busy with writing, rearranging furniture in the house and trying to tame our jungle of a garden that pyrography has taken a back seat. And by that I mean I haven't had a chance to burn a thing. In fact, I haven't even switched my pyrography iron on. However, my wife Terry Anne has managed to scorch a few bits. I try not to be jealous of her work or the fact that she has more free time, but sometimes it does give me the Gype. Below are a couple of classy candlesticks she finished last week.

While all I could manage was to smell the wood burning under the caress of her pyrography iron, she then went on to do a set of four egg cups. Very nice too don't you think.

Talking about the smell of wood burning, I mentioned in my last two posts that I'd tell you about a health and safety issue that comes with pyrography, and what I have done about it.

Breathing in the fumes that come off a pyrography iron isn't good. I know it is only wood, but they contain all sorts of resins. Turpentine, for instance, comes from the sap of pine trees and you wouldn't want to inhale the burning fumes from that would you.

When I first started using my pyrography iron I ignored the fumes, but eventually, common sense kicked in and I opened a window. Not much I know, but it was a start. The trouble with opening windows is that it lets in a lot of dreadful noises from the outside world and rain. So unless I wanted to confine my pyrography to fine days another solution was needed.

After a rethink, I tried using a fan to blow the fumes away. This was partly successful; it blew the fumes away from my face face, but eventually, unless the windows were open as well, the fumes filled my room.

By this time my wife was getting very concerned about the effects of the smoke on my health. She'd seen me go down with a heart attack that was partly due to me being a smoker and she didn't want a repeat of that episode. So I started to look around and see what was on the market and my initial search wasn't good. The only fume extractors I could find for pyrography were very expensive. In fact, they cost a lot more than my pyrography iron. So what you might say, your health should come first. Well perhaps it should, but you wouldn't expect a TT rider's helmet to cost more that his motor bike would you?

Those who know me will know that I don't like parting with wads of cash, so I carried on searching and eventually had a brainwave. I used to work in the electronics industry and a few years ago new legislation was brought in whereby soldering irons had to be fitted with a fume extractors. If I could find an extractor that removed solder fumes then surely it would remove the fumes from wood smoke. After a lot of searching I found one at Maplins that cost £19.99. It now sits on my desk and removes all the smoke and nasty fumes from my work. It has  carbon activated filter, so if it works for soldering iron fumes should also work for wood. Below is a photo of the extractor.

Important note:  this is my opinion only and not based on evidence. I suggest to weigh up the pros and cons for yourself before making any decisions about filters. One thing is for sure, you must take precaution against breathing in any smoke.

Just a little note before I finish. My wife has given me permission to sell one or two of her items on my website, they will not be available through Folksy.