Walnut Hollow Versa-Tool Review: The Cheap Way to Try Wood Burning

The Versa-Tool is a solid-point burner: a heated brass point screwed into a pen, much like a soldering iron. It is where most people start pyrography, because it costs very little and burns well enough to show whether the hobby suits you.

What it does well

A temperature dial. Many cheap craft burners run at one fixed heat. The Versa-Tool has a dial up to 950 °F, so you can turn it down for light shading or up for dark lines.

Versatility. Its 11 points include cone, shading, universal, calligraphy, flow and tapered points for burning. It also has a hot-knife point for cutting stencils, a soldering point and a stamping point. Walnut Hollow also markets it for leather, fabric embossing and wax.

The solid-point trade-offs

• Slow heat. The point takes about 4-5 minutes to reach temperature, and it responds slowly when you turn the dial. Changing points means waiting, and handling hot brass with pliers.
• Control. The pen is thick, and the tip sits a long way from your fingers. That suits bold lines and lettering better than delicate shading.
• The control box. It sits about 10 inches down the cord and weighs more than the pen. Owners report it pulls the pen off the stand unless the cord is arranged carefully.

Verdict

As a cheap test of the hobby, it is very good value. As your main burner for detailed work, it will hold you back. The Colwood Detailer is the wire-nib step up. See pyrography tips and woods for why wire-nib burners are easier to control.