On the topic of wax pens

[Voshizle@gmail.]

Hey all, I know it's been said a million times already but amazing stuff on here guys, really. I've been working with ss ss firm for a couple years now and want to try out wax now. I plan on getting some of the 3sixty or the zen wax from Willow and I was wondering if anyone had played around with zen yet. Back to my main question though, is there a recommended wax pen I should purchase? I've seen a few different models and just wanted a bit of input. Thanks for anything and everything :)

[Voshizle@gmail.]

Honestly guys? 54 views and no one wants to help me out?

[MASTERSHOKHAN]

I'm sorry, man. I thought you might want to hear from a pro.( which I'm not )..but I'm currently looking at a Foredom wax pen for about $230 including 7 tips. If you look around you might be able to shave off a few bucks. Pros swear by it.

http://www.foredom.com/foundations/store/scresults.asp?category=111

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlO2K-w4fIA

[Voshizle@gmail.]

Aha I thank you sir. I'd seen a few models scattered around on the net but this one seems the most promising. Have you worked much on wax before? I've been going through the forum and Willow seems to be the favored brand, just not sure which type to pic up since they have so many varieties.

[Imagination Asylum]

I have been using Gary's wax for a little while now. I am using Vapor and 360. the 360 takes some getting used to, so I am switching to Zen. Zkulptor (Eric Sosa) swears by it, and for the kind of work I do, Gary highly recommended it. Gary's (Willow) products are really good quality and the advice and service are top notch. After the changed the castilene formula I searched for a good wax. You can't go wrong with Willow waxes. I'm sure Gary would send you some samples to try, if you asked. As for a wax pen, I can't recommend one, as I built my own so I could make any tip I wanted. Good luck! Once you go wax, everything else seems like work.


Rich

[Voshizle@gmail.]

Rich:
Thanks for the advice man, the zen just keeps looking more and more appealing. Oh and that would be amazing if I could get some samples. I'm planning on placing an order here soon anyway, probably try out the 360 and the zen, think if I emailed Gary he might throw in a couple samples of other varieties I'm interested in? I haven't even seen any sculpting wax in person in my life, let alone mess around with any so if I could get a couple to try out that would be awesome. I'm used to ss and ss firm but I have been hearing once you go wax you don't go back.

[MASTERSHOKHAN]

I'm new to wax. I chose Gary's ( Fuse ) wax because he is a club member and to keep the money in the family. Right now I'm using a mini-iron + woodburner + Solid state controller box combo suggested by ToxicPapa:

http://theclubhouse1.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24601&highlight=

I would like to know more about Imagination Asylum's rig

[Voshizle@gmail.]

MASTERSHOKHAN:
Yea I've been hearing a lot of great things about Gary's wax and the fact that he's a forum member just adds to it, gotta support our own. Thanks for that money saving link, but I think I'll be going for the Foredom. To me I think it's worth it to just dish out the money now for a quality product specifically designed for wax working. Plus my parents really like to support my art, so it may be a potential Christmas gift *fingers crossed*

This is a question for anyone who might know: If I do in fact get the Foredom, can one fabricate custom tips for it and/or buy different tips at like Michaels for it or does it only take the Foredom tips?

[MASTERSHOKHAN]

Well Tim Bruckner suggested the Giles Percison Waxer, which is $152........$163 with 5 tips.

[Voshizle@gmail.]

Ok so I'll probably be banned for saying this but I honestly don't know who that is.
Also the Foredom comes with 7 tips. Thanks again though for the more cost effective tip. I believe I have some research to do.

[MASTERSHOKHAN]

Tim Bruckner is responsible for a lot of cool toys

www.timbruckner.com/

[Alphaduce]

http://www.thesculptorscorner.com/Bruckner.htm
http://www.thesculptorscorner.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=716

[Voshizle@gmail.]

Oh wow, phenomenal doesn't even begin to do his work justice. I'd seen the name before but hadn't come across any of his work. Wow. Seeing people produce stuff like that is what inspires me to sculpt, to get even remotely as good one day.

[ZKULPTOR]

Oh wow, phenomenal doesn't even begin to do his work justice. I'd seen the name before but hadn't come across any of his work. Wow. Seeing people produce stuff like that is what inspires me to sculpt, to get even remotely as good one day.
Hi,
Get the Foredom, it is a great waxer!

[Voshizle@gmail.]

ZKULPTOR:
Yea I heard you swear by the thing. I was wondering about it though, can you make custom tips for it etc. or can you only use the ones that come with it?

[ZKULPTOR]

ZKULPTOR:
Yea I heard you swear by the thing. I was wondering about it though, can you make custom tips for it etc. or can you only use the ones that come with it?
Hi Voshizle, I actually use an Ultra waxer, but if Mr. Bruckner says Foredom is good, you listen! :)
No need for Custom tips, as a matter of fact i only use 3 tips, no need for a huge amount of them ;)

[Alphaduce]

just wonderin, why are they so expensive?

it seems like it would be kindof easy (an cheap) to make one yourself?

[Imagination Asylum]

My wax pen was built from the clubhouse tip, using a embossing tool, a dimmer, plastic project box, a few extra embossing tips, and brass tubing, Screws, brass rod, wire and tool tips to make my own tips. it has worked out great for me. I built the whole deal for 40 bucks. Down the road I will probably buy a waxer, specifically the Foredom. I will post my set up as soon as I can. If you can buy a waxer, do it. If not build it. I have been using mine for a while and for 40 dollars, it works great. Plus I can make any tip to suit my needs.

Rich

[Imagination Asylum]

Hey Eric...

would you be willing to share the 3 tips you use?? ..I'm curious. Thanks in advance.

Rich

[ZKULPTOR]

just wonderin, why are they so expensive?

it seems like it would be kindof easy (an cheap) to make one yourself?

Here's some ideas:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4419533622759961654

Ralph Cordero wrote this as well:

I was thinking about some wax pen options that wont break the bank, and came across some of these items, One which looks suspiciously like the foredom waxer, but at less than half the price,

Here is a woodburner, with electronic temp control available thru

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2419
Best part, it's like 60 bucks

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3583/1253318sj.jpg


Then there is a non temp control unit, available at Micheals, comes with a bunch of tips. Some useful. But you can connect this thru a solid state controller, and vary your temps this way.

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/706/b0001dsbie01ajqbfgsaoltltsclzz.jpg

And here is a solid state controller box. Around 15.99 to 20 bucks. available thru: http://www.globalsgs.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=223

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/5383/600144ps.jpg

You can plug in a single speed dremel into it, and control the speed thru the box by turning the dial up. For our purposes you can hook up the woodburner without temp control, thru this box {you just plug it inot the plug on the box, and your controller box to the wall outlet} , and wala, instant temp control. It works for coffee warmers, and pottpourri /small fondue/ crock pots too.
The above woodburner kit is priced around 20 to 30 dollars, and the box around 16 - 20 dollars, so you still spend less that you would on a foredom or ultra waxer, or the many brands out there exclusivly sold for wax use. Plus in the case of the non temp control burner you get a lot of tips. The handle is just a bit nicer on the temp contol burner at the top of this post. And man I tell you it looks a whole lot like the foredom unit.
Pen tips and pen handles are located at the weblink for this pen.

So I leave you with some cheaper solutions, for the wax enthusiast who wants to check out wax, and not make a large investment, should they not enjoy working in wax. But to be honest, once you figure out how to work wax, it will be a medium that you will find quite useful for the right project.

[ZKULPTOR]

hope that helps you :)

[Voshizle@gmail.]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I think I'm still gonna stick to the Foredom though.