AndrewCJ50 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Dear Friends Was reading someone's build review of figures, and they really brought their bare-headed figures to life using a 'pyrogravure'. Has anyone ever used one, and what would they recommend? Looking on Google I can see people using something that looks like a small soldering iron making burnt etchings in wood and leather like a black pen. But plastic? Surely it would become a sticky mess? What are your views? Thanks Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fewr9fkr9595 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 I think they were all the rage in the 90's. They can have a dial/resistor to vary the temp, to work with softer materials so not as extreme as a soldering iron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Vor!!! Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 https://www.historexagents.com/# All you need to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 I've seen vaguely similar things done with a micro soldering iron: http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=398374 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusArenco Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 I have one from my armour modelling days. It has a very thin needle like tip, just big enough to mark/melt a small amount of plastic. You still need to be careful, but it’s much more delicate than your average soldering iron! Mart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewCJ50 Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 Thanks Tony and Panzer vor Do you know the name of the manufacturer of the pyrogravure on the Historex site? I'm afraid I can't spot it! Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusArenco Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 (edited) Mine was from Historex (years ago). It's marked up as 'Litesold' on the power unit and has 'ADAMIN Model S315 4.5 volts' on the pen itself. Mart Edited January 10, 2017 by LotusArenco brainfart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusArenco Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 42 minutes ago, Tony Oliver said: I think they were all the rage in the 90's. Cheers mate! Now I feel really old. Mart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fewr9fkr9595 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 I'm available to hire for entertainment at events too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch K Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 15 hours ago, Tony Oliver said: I think they were all the rage in the 90's. They can have a dial/resistor to vary the temp, to work with softer materials so not as extreme as a soldering iron. I can remember them from the late 1970's... They were like hen's teeth then. Historex Agents were the suggested "go to" supplier but never seemed to have them in stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusArenco Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Just a thought. I recently bought a 5v USB soldering iron off Amazon for a tenner. With a bit of care it might be useable as a pyrogravure. Mart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Should work I've used a 25w soldering iron. Most pyrogravures are about 30w. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver d Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 I still have my one that I bought around 85 and yes I still sometimes use it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Tsujimura Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 (edited) I have a Towada heat pen, which is a japanese pyrogravure but with interchangeable tips, I am including photos fyi. I don't think these are available in USA or UK and purchased mine with a transformer in Tokyo some years pass. The pen is heat controllable and has the ability to make rivets which require you to smash a piece of plastic and use the tip to stamp out the rivet. Brain Factory also produces screw, bolt and rivet shapes in various sizes. The one I have yet to use is a 72nd scale zimmeritt tip and welding tips. They were available from Hobbylink but I noticed it is out of stock; when in Tokyo mid-year last year, some hobby shops had them, but the tips were in short supply. The tool has a fine pointed tip accessory for use as a pyrogravure. I am including pictures from a prior post of mine on another site, showing the use of the rivet/bolt tips. Finally, I also bought but have not yet used a product by Funtec. This is a battery operated heat pen.http://hlj.com/product/FTE73001. It has a low heat tip which is shaped like a loop which can be used as a pyrogravure I believe, if used on its vertical axis rather than horizonatal. Edited January 11, 2017 by Rick Tsujimura 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 That is very smart.....Would love to see the 1/72 zimmerit tool in action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Gunthwaite Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 My original pyro' is from the '70's and currently sits in a box in the garage. Mine had a dial to control the heat which I'm not sure featured on later models..At the time they were used to assemble animate and detail plastic figures such as Historex. My recollection is that the emergence of resin parts such as heads then limited the usefulness of the pyro's. The last time I used mine, it was decidedly unsafe. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arachnid Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 3 hours ago, Oliver d said: I still have my one that I bought around 85 and yes I still sometimes use it 85 years ago ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Tsujimura Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Don't have a picture of zimmerit tool in action but here is photo of 1/48 use. There is also a welding replicator. and here is the 1/72-76 zim tool 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch K Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 14 hours ago, Al Gunthwaite said: My original pyro' is from the '70's and currently sits in a box in the garage. Mine had a dial to control the heat which I'm not sure featured on later models..At the time they were used to assemble animate and detail plastic figures such as Historex. My recollection is that the emergence of resin parts such as heads then limited the usefulness of the pyro's. The last time I used mine, it was decidedly unsafe. Al Something in the back of my mind says that the safety thing was a common concern back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fewr9fkr9595 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 14 hours ago, Arachnid said: 85 years ago ? Im sure he means 1985 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver d Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Yes 1985 I am not that old yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasto Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 21 hours ago, Rick Tsujimura said: Don't have a picture of zimmerit tool in action but here is photo of 1/48 use. There is also a welding replicator. and here is the 1/72-76 zim tool That looks pretty neat... I like the way they have used some HSS to create a filler before attacking it with the heated tip... HLJ has some neat tools on offer.. Cheers Plasto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fewr9fkr9595 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 1 hour ago, Oliver d said: Yes 1985 I am not that old yet I was two! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver d Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 In that case I feel old Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewCJ50 Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 Thanks for your ideas and memories Guys! Maybe will take a look at the land of the Rising Sun? Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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