Frequently Asked Questions

Home | About Us | Contact Us | My Account | View Cart/Checkout

Hot Tools

How do I change the Points on my hot tool?

All of the Points are threaded and designed to be screwed into the end of the Tool.
Use pliers to change the Points.
Make sure you turn the switch “OFF” and let it cool before changing Points.

Sometimes my Points become loose on my hot tool. What should I do?

You can always tighten your Points with the pliers.
Note: Do not apply excess pressure to any Point. Let the heat from the hot tool and Point do the work.

How do I clean my hot tool Points?

If your Point is hot, use a soft cloth to wipe the Point. If the Point is cool, use fine sandpaper to sand away any residue that may have built up on the Point

Can I use all Walnut Hollow Points on any of my hot tools?

Absolutely. All Points are interchangeable on any of our hot tools.

I’m having trouble transferring an image using the Transfer Point on my hot tool. Can you help?

It is necessary to always use a laser copied image. The toner used with this type of copier will transfer to your chosen surface with heat.

Sometimes my HotKnife blade becomes loose in my hot tool. What should I do?

If you are twisting the HotKnife when cutting foam pumpkins or foam core board, the blade is likely to loosen. Tighten it with pliers.

Environmental

Why does Walnut Hollow use laminated panels for most of our products?

Provides more strength, products are less likely to warp. This also minimizes waste to conserve resources.

How does Walnut Hollow utilize the sawdust and scrap produced during the manufacturing process?

Sawdust and all wood scraps are recycled through a state-of-the-art boiler that produces steam to heat the rough mill facility and lumber drying kilns. Wood shavings are also sold for livestock bedding.

Scrapbooking

What type of page protector will work with item #3700 Contemporary Memory Album?

Any 12in x 12in page protector with extended margins will work with this Walnut Hollow product.

Wood Surfaces

Does Walnut Hollow have a quality control system in manufacturing? Do other woodcraft manufacturers?

Yes. Quality is very important to Walnut Hollow. We have a quality control system throughout the entire manufacturing process. This is one advantage we have over companies that do not manufacture their own products.

Why is basswood considered the best species for painting, woodburning and carving?

Basswood is evenly grained, it sands easier, it is white in color, and it is the softest of all hardwoods.

Woodburning

Tips:

The Woodburner Pen is a very hot tool. Never touch the top or metal parts.
Always unplug the Woodburner Pen and let cool before replacing points.
Practice safety. Tape the holder on a table or other flat surface to hold Woodburner Pen when not in use.
Always turn the wood as needed so that your hand and arm are comfortable while woodburning.
Use sandpaper to clean off the point as needed.
After woodburning is complete, seal wood. You can fix paint or oil pencil mistakes easier if wood is sealed.
Let the heat from the pen do the work. Don’t use pressure.
The slower you move the pen points on the wood, the darker the woodburning will be.
It’s easier to woodburn by pulling the pen towards your body.
Use the back or bottom of your wood piece to practice.

Transferring Patterns:

Place pattern on wood. Slip transfer paper (shiny side down) between pattern and wood surface.
Use stylus or pencil to transfer pattern.

Can all woods be used for woodburning?

All woods can be burned, but some are better than others. The wood should be light in color (basswood, pine) so that the woodburning stands out.

Does Walnut Hollow wood have to be sanded before you can paint or stain it?

No, but you do need to sand it after the first coat of paint is applied.

Does it make a difference if you paint or stain with the grain or against it?

Yes, you should apply paint and stain with the grain.

Woodcarving

Tips:

Always push the Carving Knife away from yourself.
Keep project being carved as steady as possible. Do not carve on your lap.
Sharpen Carving knives using sharpening stone or honing compound with leather strop.
Always keep your fingers away from the Carving Knife and carve slowly.
It is sometimes helpful to place the forefinger of the other hand not holding the Carving Knife onto the top of the Knife to help balance and guide.
Slightly wiggle the Carving Knife slowly back and forth to help carve into the surface.
Always carve from the outer edge toward the center, turn the piece around, and again carve from the outer edge toward the center.

Transferring Patterns:

Place pattern on wood. Slip transfer paper (shiny side down) between pattern and wood surface.
Use stylus or pencil to transfer pattern.

Other Walnut Hollow Products

What makes our Oil Color Pencils different than everyday colored pencils?

Walnut Hollow’s oil color pencils are based with a mixture of oil and wax. The oil content makes blending very easy and allows the user to work colors on a surface using agents such as mineral spirits or turpentine.

Does wood need to be prepped before using Oil Color Pencils on it?

Light sanding to create the smoothest possible surface is the only prepping necessary.

Why does a wood piece that’s been decorated with oil pencils need to be sealed?

The wax in the pencils can be affected by heat and may develop a white film (called wax bloom) if not properly sealed.

How should a finished oil-pencil project be sealed?

Several light coats of a clear acrylic spray will protect the penciled areas. To prevent the wood from warping, an additional treatment with varnish to seal all surfaces of the wood is necessary. The varnish may damage the oil-penciling if that area has not first been sealed with the acrylic spray.

How can color be added to the woodburning? Can the project be painted?

Usually, oil color pencils are used with woodburning. They are not intimidating…most people are comfortable using a pencil. The colors can be blended as with paints, but they are transparent so the woodburning shows through the color. If paint were used, it will cover up the woodburning. If the crafter insists on using paint, it will need to be washed so that it is more transparent. Care must be taken so that the wash doesn’t bleed into the rest of the picture.

General Information

Many of Walnut Hollow products are produced on CNC Routers. What does CNC stand for, and what is the advantage of this type of technology?

CNC stands for Computerized Numerical Control. The advantage of this equipment is that it utilizes computer programming and operates within extremely close tolerances. This allows us to consistently produce accurate and high quality parts.

How do I prepare my Walnut Hollow wood surface?

During the manufacturing process, nails are sometimes used. The process leaves a hole that needs to be filled with putty. After filling holes, let dry, then sand lightly to smooth the surface. The wood product is now ready for sealing.

Wood preparation is important for your project. Unless you are covering your surface with fabric, polymer clay, or if you are woodburning, you will need to seal the wood. Some wood sealers penetrate the wood and some lay on top of the wood. Regardless of the brand or type of wood sealer you use, it is important to let it dry thoroughly and then to sand the wood smoothly and wipe off any dust with a damp cloth or tack cloth. If you are woodburning the project first, you would seal the wood after the woodburning is complete.

What do I do to remove the residue left behind from a sticky label?

Remove the label as best you can. Use Goo-Gone (available at most craft and hardware stores) to remove the adhesive residue. Let dry. If you cannot find Goo-Gone, remove as much adhesive as possible and sand lightly over the area with fine sandpaper.

How To's

Assembling Clock Movements


	Your cart is empty.