Another useful video. Thank you. I like the way you set up your soldering blocks on the trivet so that a mini kiln is formed that helps to ball the wire. I'll do it your way from now on :-)
Thank you! I was able to ball 20 g copper wire, but I only had vinegar and salt to remove the oxidation. While I was able to get rid of the black, the remaining copper looked like a mat finish, not shiny like the rest of the wire. Does using a commercial pickling compound make the copper shiny again? I was so excited for this technique, but I can't have two different finishes on wire wrapped cabochons.
Hello, we would recommend Penny Brite Copper Cleaner to create the shine on your copper piece. You can find this product here: www.cooltools.us/Penny-Brite-Copper-Cleaner-Paste-p/cln-109.htm Hope this helps!
Hey Elsie. Commercial pickling compound will make the wire matte just like your vinaigrette.. more so.. it is a stronger acid than the vinigers acid... even if through some chemistry your wire did not oxidize, it will still come out matte.. you just need to polish the piece.. you can polish in all sorts of ways, but a super accessible method would be to use a very fine wire brush, or 000 steel wool... it will be a satin finish, not a high polish, but can look great
hmmmmm....mine wont ball up for the life of me. I'm use 20 gauge copper wire and just cant get it to ball up no matter how long I hold it under to the flame. I haven't tried this technique of firing against the brick though. might try that tonight
make sure the flame of the torch is in the right spot. If your wire is too close to the torch nozzle it won't melt. Best to have it where the blue ends and the white begins (find the hottest point)
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Finally! Someone knows what they're doing and explains it very well! Thank you
Why would anyone give this perfect demo a thumbs down? Beautiful demo!
Exactly what I needed to complete a piece I worked on in school! Thanks for this great tip!!
Another useful video. Thank you. I like the way you set up your soldering blocks on the trivet so that a mini kiln is formed that helps to ball the wire. I'll do it your way from now on :-)
This was helpful. Been doing this a long time, but haven't seen that block with the holes. Hello Cooltools!
Thanks very much for the tutorial... It has helped me a lot...
Cool video, does gold need to be pickled afterwards?
I'll try soon, excellent trick, so many thanks.
its a great technique, i was balling 1.2mm and 3.2mm copper today, my MAP only just balled the 3.2mm.
How do you “close” the rivet on the opposite side? How do you ball it and hammer it without damaging the other side?
Hi , can I use gold wire to make the the ball pin? Thank you.
Hi Nancy, yes you can use gold. Thanks for watching!
Is it possible with alluminium too?
Please demo seating that rivet
You remind me of my former metalsmith teacher (now retired). ☺️
Hi Terri. I am a newbe at this. what type of torch and gas are you using?
Hi Ray, this is an acetylene torch. You can find it here: www.cooltools.us/SilverSmith-Acetylene-and-Air-Torch-Kit-p/sol-715.htm
Hope this helps!
Thank you! I was able to ball 20 g copper wire, but I only had vinegar and salt to remove the oxidation. While I was able to get rid of the black, the remaining copper looked like a mat finish, not shiny like the rest of the wire. Does using a commercial pickling compound make the copper shiny again? I was so excited for this technique, but I can't have two different finishes on wire wrapped cabochons.
Hello, we would recommend Penny Brite Copper Cleaner to create the shine on your copper piece. You can find this product here: www.cooltools.us/Penny-Brite-Copper-Cleaner-Paste-p/cln-109.htm
Hope this helps!
Hey Elsie. Commercial pickling compound will make the wire matte just like your vinaigrette.. more so.. it is a stronger acid than the vinigers acid... even if through some chemistry your wire did not oxidize, it will still come out matte.. you just need to polish the piece.. you can polish in all sorts of ways, but a super accessible method would be to use a very fine wire brush, or 000 steel wool... it will be a satin finish, not a high polish, but can look great
Sterling? Needed sometimes
Excellent! Thank you! Can we do the same with Argentium?
Gloria Borrero yes - all wire
I did you flux the copper wire?
Hi Maria, the copper wire does not require flux when balling it. Thanks for watching!
What gauge of copper wire did you use?
Hi Susan, Terri used 14 gauge wire. Thanks for the question!
hmmmmm....mine wont ball up for the life of me. I'm use 20 gauge copper wire and just cant get it to ball up no matter how long I hold it under to the flame. I haven't tried this technique of firing against the brick though. might try that tonight
make sure the flame of the torch is in the right spot. If your wire is too close to the torch nozzle it won't melt. Best to have it where the blue ends and the white begins (find the hottest point)
Porfavor traducir en español 🙏 😢
You said Sterling, then called it “fine”. Which?
Hello, this can be done with any silver. Thanks for watching!