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Ball Wire Ends With a Torch | Wire Jewelry Basics
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- Опубликовано: 16 авг 2024
- Today I'm demonstrating how I ball wire ends with a torch. I know a lot of jewelry makers are nervous about using a torch. So this video is all about helping you set up a comfortable, safe, and efficient torch workstation using a few basic tools and items that you probably already have on hand. I'll also show you how I effectively ball the ends of copper wire with a butane torch.
Balled wire ends are a crucial element in my Twig jewelry designs. And this video contains all the information that you need to start using a torch.
This video may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and then make a purchase, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). To learn more, please see my full disclaimer: door44studios....
⏱TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - How to Ball Wire Ends With a Butane Torch
01:13 - Tools Needed for Balling Wire Ends with a Torch
04:23 - Set Up Your Workspace for Safety and Success
06:14 - Set Up Your Pickle Pot
07:35 - Get to Know Your Butane Torch
09:02 - How to Light Your Butane Torch
09:46 - How to Fuel Your Butane Torch
11:58 - Get to Know the Anatomy of Your Torch Flame
12:51 - How to Ball Wire Ends with Your Butane Torch
18:09 - The Key to Getting Consistent Lengths of Torch Balled Wires
19:18 - The Key to Getting Consistently Sized Balls
20:33 - How to Use and Maintain Your Pickle
23:03 - Troubleshooting and Improving Your Torch Balling Technique
🥒PICKLE RECIPE:
○ 1 Cup White Vinegar
○ 1 Tablespoon Salt
TIP: This is the same recipe that I use to clean all of my freshly made copper jewelry before I patina it. The only difference is that I use the solution at room temperature for general cleaning and I heat it up in my pickle pot for removing fire scale. I store a batch in a sealed container with my patina gear for cleaning purposes. And I keep a separate batch in my pickle pot for hot work.
🛒SHOP THE VIDEO:
○ BernzOmatic Butane Torch - amzn.to/3bPBHB7
○ Cross Lock Soldering Tweezers - amzn.to/3rSzVVd
○ Bamboo Tongs - amzn.to/3ePyGmk
Do you want to master the art of creating jewelry with wire?
📙 Download my FREE Jewelry Wire Reference Guide! 📙
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You'll learn:
○ What types of wire work best for making jewelry
○ Why I use copper wire almost exclusively
○ Where to buy high-quality jewelry wire
○ How to choose the best wire gauges for each project
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It's natural to be nervous about using a torch. 😳 But we can do scary things! So, let's ball some wires today. And by the time we're finished, I think you'll find that using a torch isn't so scary after all. 😅
fast quenching red hot copper is how you anneal it.. it's how you make dead soft copper. working copper hardens it. . so you heat it red hot and quench it fast to soften it back up. i make my own wire from much larger copper.. it just the way i like to work. i can use my single pic of bigole chunky copper to make wire, plates, rings etc. all my jewelry is mad using hardware store or recycled copper i find laying about. i do wire bought wire for some of my wire wrapping stuff but mostly make my own for smaller projects or things im not planning to sell but just made because i was bored and needed to burn some time lol.
Thank you for all of your explanations such as about steel in the pickle and quenching too quickly. You are so thorough!!
My pleasure! I'm thorough because I hate to see beginners struggle or get frustrated over easily corrected mistakes. And whenever we're just starting a new craft, we often don't know what we don't know!
I'm learning wire wrapping and found you by accident; the best, VERY bested accident I could have had! I did have a beginner's jewelry class so I have my tools but I'm getting as much with you as I did with my instructor who taught metal carving, annealing, etc. I'm having a great day watching your videos! Thank you so much:D
Well, welcome to Door 44! I'm so glad you're enjoying my videos, and thank you for the kind words. I appreciate that. 🤗
I ,frankly, have never watched such a perfect instruction in this topic! Can’t thank you enough🎉🎉🎉
Thank you, Glenda! That is the best compliment because creating genuinely helpful content is my #1 goal for my channel. 💗
What a fantastic tutorial!! I have been so nervous about moving forward with jewelry making but it's videos such as yours that give me the confidence that I can do this. Thank you!!
You can absolutely do it, Tom! I'm so glad this tutorial helped you see that. Thanks for watching, and please don't hesitate to let me know if there are any other skills or techniques you'd like to see in a video tutorial. I'm always open to video ideas from my viewers. 😊
This is the best and most thorough tutorial
My pleasure. Thanks for watching! 😊
Agree!
Oh goodness. Finding you is my Christmas gift! I am a novice, novice… this is so helpful! Thank you🙏
I'm so glad this video was helpful. Merry Christmas and welcome to Door 44 Studios!
You are the best and thorough instructor I have ever seen. Thanks for your great teaching skills!
Wow, thank you! I'm happy to help. 😊
Outstanding instructions! Very Concise. You have helped me so much in my own jewelry development. Thank you.
You're so welcome. I'm happy to help!
I am so impressed with your teaching skills, clarity in presentation, organization of your links and resource list and video content! Thank you for investing so much time, energy and effort into you content. If I ever take up wire jewelry making, I will learn from you and send you some cash in appreciation! I wish you much success and prosperity.
Thank you. ☺️
Thanks so much for such a detailed explanation on how to ball up a wire with a butane torch.
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
I'm not nervous about using a torch anymore, now I'm excited to get started! Thanks so much! Using your links to buy stuff, as you're now my guide into the realm of wire. I have wanted to work in particular with copper and silver for *years*, and the one jewelry class I took about 30 years ago was so lacking in practical skills, ugh. (They were def gatekeeping knowledge, which serves no one well.) I am really thrilled to really get on this journey FINALLY :D
I'm so glad this video is helpful for you. Knowledge gatekeepers are the worst! They make me want to say very bad things. 🤬
i live in a cargovan that i converted into a campervan. im trying to set up a workspace. i think i win the tiniest workshop award. lol thanks for the tips. new subscriber here.
You do indeed with the tiniest workshop award. You're living the dream, Jade! Sometimes I dream about selling everything but the cat, buying a campervan, and hitting the open road. I'm so glad my tips for using a torch in a tiny space are helpful. And thanks for subscribing! I'm happy to have you along for my crazy RUclips ride. 😀
@@Door44Studios thanks! I've spent the last 6 years living in an RV with my kids traveling the country. Kids have grown and gone now so I moved to a van with my little doggy. It's a much less stressed life for sure.
Sounds amazing. Safe travels! 🚙
You are an excellent teacher. Thank you
I just wanted to tell you my husband figured out how to get the wire to ball up. Your video was good. What I couldn’t understand was how it worked for me years ago with a large torch and also with a small torch. I am going to try this technique now myself.
Phenomenal experience watching and listening. Thank you for your sharing of your talent
You're so welcome. Thanks for watching! 😊
yea! it worked, both copper and silver. I had a stubborn end of copper, odd, but balled finally. First time ! 😊 Thank you for a great tutorial!
You're so welcome. And thank you for the super thanks!
So I asked a few questions regarding propane vs butane in my previous post. I have habit of not completing videos and merely receiving the info I was in search of to begin with. Questions answered 😅 Many thanks again 👍👍👍
Thanks for watching, and feel free to ask questions anytime! I'm here for it. 😊
I had a feeling that this was what I was looking for, since I've used torches for repairs. Thank you for doing a video, so I could clarify my jewelry project and do it right the first time.
Glad I could help!
I just found one lady that I am blown away with now here you come with all of this knowledge now I have two favorite ladies amazing!
Welcome to Door 44! I'm so glad you're finding my content helpful. 😊
Thanks for sharing this process, I have never seen this before. I found it to be very interesting and very helpful.
@@SonyaCrain-go6ei my pleasure. Glad it was helpful!
i'm new to wire work. Thank you for the tip
I'm happy to help. Feel free to ask questions anytime! I love helping newbies get started. 🤗
I have a tong idea for anybody out there. All you need is 2 popsicle sticks a small piece of wood, Actually anything that's about a 1/2 a centimeter wide, and an elastic band. You can make it in 6 seconds.
Put the little piece of wood In between the 2 Popsicle sticks close to the end or at the end.Use your elastic band to hold the 3 pieces together. Doesn't need to be Tight. Adjust as needed
A peer nurse did this at work when a kind family member graciously gave the nurses a gift. Nurses are very aware of germs obviously. The 🎁 was a container of gummy bears. Using a spoon was not working due to stickiness.
My peer whipped this up, and we were all absolutely mesmerized by how simple it was. To this day this memory always brings a smile to my face, because it was so simple, but not one of us could think of it. Nurses always have tongue depressors. Lol, Honestly we never use them for what they're always used for in the movies. Don't be gross when You read this🤣🤣 Trust me it's not what you're thinking
That is a very clever idea! Thanks so much for sharing. My bamboo tongs work beautifully for fishing pieces out of my pickle pot, but I might have to try making some DIY tongs just for kicks and giggles. 🤔😃
@@Door44Studios You won't be disappointed for 2 reasons. One! they're actually pretty accurate, and two! if you lose them or break them who cares.
You cab make mini ones, with those cute little popsicle sticks, that for some reason I have. Lol.
@@azinfandellvr definitely! I like to use chopsticks and string to experiment with weaving patterns, but they'll work just as well for pickle tongs.
@@azinfandellvr I can't work chopsticks. 😫 🤣
@@COEYRN That's when you use the rubber band & piece of wood or paper like you said you use the popsicle sticks...lol! 😉
Thank you for these detailed instructions. This is just what I was looking for. 🇦🇺☺️
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
I can’t wait to get started with my torch! Thank you for such a thorough explanation on how to get set up and get to work.
You're so welcome! I'm so glad this video is helpful. 😊
Excellent video, very clear and concise. Thank you. 😊
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching! 😊
@@Door44Studios Your most welcome. 😊
Thanks so much! Clear, concise and lots of helpful info.
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing this information. I'm greatful to know this before trying to ball wire.
You're very welcome. Glad it was helpful!
This video is so helpful! I'm so glad someone made a very informative video like this. Thank you 😊💓
You're so welcome. Glad you found it helpful!
Very very informative!!!!! Thank you so much!!! Danae -Greece
You're very welcome, Danae! I'm happy to help.
Thank you so much! I have all the tools but wasn’t sure about how to do it. Can’t wait to give it a try!
You're not alone, Tammy. I hear from lots of people who have all the tools, but they're just not sure where to begin using them. I'm so glad this video gave you the confidence to jump in and start using your torch! ❤
I commented a day or so ago. Figured out that the torch is not working well. Heat wasn't consistent; torch would "run out of fuel;" but when I started to store it a couple hours later & turned it on to make sure it was empty, there was a flame. Will return the torch to the big box store where I bought it. Also figured out that the bernzomatic torch I bought at my local big box store is different thnt the one referenced here from amazon. The one from amazon heats to a higher temp.
That will definitely make a difference. Glad you got it sorted out.
Your wonderfully informative video gave me the courage to invest in a torch. Thank you so much!!!
Getting comfortable safely using a torch definitely expands a jewelry-maker's creative possibilities, but it can be scary for the uninitiated. Your step-by-step instruction gave me the confidence to take the plunge!
I'm so glad I could help! I agree that a torch opens doors to infinite creative possibilities, so it was my hope that this video would give jewelry makers everywhere the courage to try using a torch for the first time. Thank you for watching and commenting. It's always encouraging to hear that my videos are helpful. 😊
@@Door44Studios I'm a huge fan!
THAT was an awesome amount of information which I REALLY needed! Thank you so much! You've really taken the majority of my torch fear away! NOW I can start a new chapter! I only have one question (and maybe I just missed it) at what temperature do you keep your pickle? Thank you!
I'm so glad this video was helpful! Information always helps me get over my own fears, so that's precisely what I've set out to do for others with this channel. To answer your question about the temperature for my pickle, I always use the LOW setting on my crock pot. I've never actually checked the temperature with a thermometer, but I'm guessing it runs somewhere between 120 and 150 degrees. It's pretty hot, but well below the boiling point.
Just tried this myself and it worked!
Yay! I'm so glad you got it sorted out. 👏👏👏
Oh, Wendy, thank you! This is great and doesn't seem too complicated!
You're so welcome, Svetlana! It's not complicated at all. It just seems so until you've done it once or twice. Let me know how it goes for you, and feel free to ask questions anytime!
Hi Wendi, it’s January 2023 - I hope you are well. I just discovered your channel last week and was looking at your video tutorials. It looks like you haven’t posted in a year. I am disappointed and concerned. where r u?
I appreciate this tutorial as it covers basic processes that many of us don’t know.
I also was fascinated with your necklace. It is beautiful. I couldn’t find a tutorial on it. Could you show us how you made it. Be well! Holly
Hi, Holly! I'm here and I'm well. Just been super busy with life. Also, there's a VERY noisy construction project happening right outside my apartment. So, it's been pretty much impossible to record video for the past several months. But I will be back this year. My necklace is actually a combination of two of my tutorials. The main body of the pendant is just a larger variation of my Fleur de Lis earrings, which is fully documented in this playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLvtEmVxBooVO9HsmPeyM3ivgQytYGiHlF&feature=shares And the bail that I used for that pendant is currently only available as a PDF tutorial in my Etsy shop, www.etsy.com/shop/door44studios. I will probably make a video for that bail because it's kind of a unique design that give you to option to either use it as a permanent bail, as it is on my Fleur de Lis necklace, or you can use it with interchangeable pendants.
@@Door44Studios thabks Wendi! Looking forward to more tutorials and following you on Etsy!
Excellent demo.
Thanks so much for another great tutorial. I miss my studio so much. Can’t wait to get my hands dirty again.
You are so welcome. Hope things settle down for you soon so you can get back to making jewelry! ❤
Beautiful product
Thank you!
Thank you’re a great teacher.
You're very welcome. Thank you for watching!
That was great, thanks for that information
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
I'm so glad you did this tutorial. Not many artisans have that I know of. I just ordered a torch and wasn't sure what kind but I did choose right. Thanks
My pleasure. Enjoy your torch! Having one creates so many fun possibilities! 😊
Yikes! I will have to work my way up to doing that. Surprisingly I have all the tools already! Your explanations were great and so complete so I feel much more confident to give it a try and practice
You can do it, Caroline! Once you get passed that first attempt to use your torch you'll find that it really isn't as difficult as you've imagined. And before you know it, you'll be confidently experimenting with more torch techniques!
I need to try this. TFS!
My pleasure. Enjoy!
Thank you!
My pleasure. 😊
Thank you so much.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
Thanks Wendi!
You're so welcome. And thank you for watching!
Thank you so much❤
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
Extremely thorough video!! Subbed
Thank you. And welcome to Door 44!
@@Door44Studios when I tell you that I have attempted to finish this ring SO MANY TIMES... this video FINALLY helped me to do just that. I couldn't be more relieved....amd finally that sense of accomplishment can turn to motivation instead of failure after failure leading to more frustration. It's a good thing I'm so stubborn. I look forward to starting more projects with your instruction FIRST! Thanks again friend
@@mixedmediaartgirl300 I love getting comments like this! I haven't posted any new content in quite some time due to personal circumstances, but I'm planning to get back to a regular upload schedule in 2024.So if there are any specific skills you'd like me to cover in upcoming tutorials, please let me know!
Great video. Thank you for explaining the basics.
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this video very helpful
You're so welcome! I'm happy to help.
Fantastic video
Thank you! Glad it was helpful.
Thank You for such needed and useful information 😊
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
Thank you, an excellent video😊.
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
I am so happy I found your excellent tutorial. Could I skip the pickle, and oxidize the finished piece, and then polish, and tumble?
You can skip the pickle, but that will leave the fire scale on your wire. That's not necessarily undesirable. Fire scale can add to the rusticity of a piece, if that's the sort of look that you're going for. Personally, I have a more refined style, so I wouldn't want any traces of fire scale left on my finished pieces, but if your jewelry has a very rustic aesthetic, then yes. Go ahead and skip the pickle. Just be advised that the only way to get rid of fire scale is with a pickle bath. So, if you (or a customer) want to remove it later, you'll have to strip the finish all the way back to raw copper and then re-oxidize.
Thank you!
great tutorial! thanks much.
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this!!!
You're so welcome. Glad it was helpful!
I love your work space !
Thank you. It's small, but mighty! I'll share a full video tour of it sometime soon.
Really great tutorial and thanks so very much for sharing your skills with us….I have been a mechanic for all of my working life and you taught me things that I didn’t know about a torch flame!! I would like to know if I could use a propane torch for the same thing? I also have a set of soldering tweezers that I think should work very well for this process. Thanks again………
Thanks, Gary! I'm so glad you found this tutorial helpful. Yes, you can absolutely use a propane torch for wirework. Just keep in mind that propane burns hotter than butane. For that reason, I don't recommend using a propane torch on silver wire. A propane flame melts silver too quickly, but it works well on copper, brass, and bronze wires. Many artists prefer to use a propane torch when working with base metals.
Thanks so very much for answering my questions and best wishes………
@@gmanchurch of course! And thank you. ☺️
I am so impressed at all the new things you have added to Door 44 Studios. It is new and fresh and very informative. I hope you do well as you progress, you have a very good start going right now. I loved this video and even though I have done some copper balling, I've learned more from this video and appreciate it so much. I have a question for you. After you have put your pieces in the pickle pot, how do you get the shine back on the copper. Currently, I use sandpaper and 000 steel wire. Crazy lazy question, is there an easier faster way? Thanks again. and keep up the wonderful work that you do.
Hi, Nan! Thank you so much for your kind words. I feel like I'm finally finding a good groove for content development. To answer your question about polishing after pickling. I patina all of my jewelry, so I always do that before the final polish. Then I use either super fine 0000 steel wool or a fine brass jeweler's brush to bring back the bright copper highlights. Once that's done, pretty much everything I make goes into my tumbler for 2 to 4 hours. And that's where I get the high shine that you see in most of my jewelry photos. I make a few exceptions for very soft gemstones or fragile beads that aren't safe to tumble. In those instances, I'll use a combination of a fine brass jeweler's brush, polishing pads, or Sunshine polishing cloths to bring back the shine.
@@Door44Studios Thanks so much for your quick response and answering my question. It's good to know that I don't have to polish the dulling that occurs after using the pickle. It's also good to know that I can tumble longer than I have been. I only did it for 10 - 15 min. Thanks again for all the great information and keep up the good work that you do for all of us.
@@nanotis1624 you're so welcome! I've always believed that knowledge is useless if you don't share it, so I'm really enjoying this new video venture. And yes, that soft matte finish that comes from using a torch and pickling will resolve itself through the normal finishing process. Also, you should definitely tumble your jewelry longer than 10-15 minutes! Tumblers are actually designed to run continuously. So, the longer you tumble, the higher the polish. I often leave solid copper pieces (like bracelets) on the tumbler for 8-10 hours. And they come out with a mirror-like shine. The trick to tumbling is to find the right balance for pieces that contain gemstones or beads. And that just comes with a lot of experimentation and experience. I plan to make some finishing videos where I'll share all my best patina and tumbler tips. So, stay tuned!
@@Door44Studios Awesome, can't wait for those videos, they are so much appreciated. You are so talented and it is so nice that you are willing to share with all of us. Thanks again.
THANKS 👍🍻
Thank you too!
OMG! You made this technique SOO EASY! I am SO appreciative of your tips and tricks. Making LOTS of notes for myself; SO HELPFUL! THANK YOU! BTW, did you make or buy your tool caddy? Where did you get it? That REALLY saves some desk space - I REALLY LIKE IT!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked this video. My rotating tool caddy is from Hobby Lobby. They only come in black or white, though. I painted mine.
@@Door44Studios Fantastic! I will look as I have looked all-over the internet to find something that looks like yours. I saw others but thought yours to be the best. Awesome 👌
Wendy: I wasn’t sure that you could ball copper wire with butane. Do you do any soldering on copper with a butane torch?
I don't do any soldering. Yet. I will once I have a dedicated studio space. But since my current workspace is in our bedroom, I avoid doing anything that creates a lot of noxious fumes. I suspect that a butane torch will solder smaller gauges of copper using soft solder. But you'll likely need to step up to a propane torch for heavier gauges and harder solder. Soldering requires more even heat distribution than a typical butane torch can create. You'll need a big fluffy flame. Whereas the tighter, more concentrated butane flame works well for balling ends.
Oh my God you read my mind. Totally freaked out after buying a small torch. 😳. What was I thinking. I hope this calms me down.
I work in an environment where common sense just doesn't seem to apply to everybody. So the fact that you just said that is perfect, because people need to be reminded of simple things. Common sense about not eating out of the bowl you are using.
I think that you should incorporate more common sense things into your videos. Just say common sense!! And explain why, and move on. You could say mark the bowl with a the sharpie, so that you OR OTHERS don't accidentally use it again.
I watched a TikTok yesterday where a girl who should know better( She was at least 18 years old)thought her hair grew from the ends not from her head. DOUBLE YIKES!!!
I'm so glad you found this video helpful! As for common sense, I do try to incorporate that into many of my videos since I tend to take a very practical approach to jewelry making. When you think about it, though, how common is common sense these days? It's definitely NOT common on TikTok! 🤣
@@Door44Studios I stopped using TikTok I talk because it used up so much of my battery and my data. I caught this TikTok because a guy on RUclips was questioning just how stupid this girl was.
The wise TikTok is for teenagers and I'm not a teenager anymore I'm editing your dream or far from it.
Thanks!
My pleasure. Thank you for your support!
Thanks it was really helpful I was a bit rusty after so many years of not doing it. How big can you get the balls; can you make bangle bracelet with the balls on the ends
Happy to help! You can ball the ends of large gauge wire, but you may need a hotter torch. I'm able to ball up to 16g wire easily with my butane torch. For anything heavier than that, I recommend using a propane or acetylene torch.
First, I must say, thank you for this video. I have been searching vids on this particular subject since I have seen vids showing to do these little balls but no how to do them. I have tried many times on my own and finally realized its in the technique. Thanks for assisting my corrections. Second, I'm wondering if there is a preference over butane vs propane? I was wonder if the propane torch does not get as hot as butane or if the butane was a bit more convenient due to size. Further, I prefer to work with my fire outside since it is propane ( and still a bit nervous about playing with fire) and I noticed the flame was nearly transparent which made me really nervous. So, characteristic of propane? Time of day perhaps? We live in an apartment as well and both are involved with artistry projects and your desk area really has us thinking about our controlled and organized chaos. Many thanks again for this video as well as your loads of info using fire.
I'm so glad you found this video helpful! Propane actually burns hotter than Butane, which makes it the fuel of choice for many artists who work with copper. But, personally, I prefer butane because I find it easier to control the heat. The reason your flame disappears outside is because you have too much direct light. Try working in the shade if possible. That will help make your flame easier to see. I do recommend using a propane torch outside because that larger and hotter flame also creates more fumes. So, you need extra good ventilation when working with a propane torch. Butane burns a bit cleaner, so it's safer to use indoors, though you should always have good ventilation when working with a butane torch, too.
Hola hermoso tú trabajo gracias por compartirlo 😊 quisiera saber si puedes traducir el idioma. Gracias ❤️
Thank you. I should be able to have my subtitles translated to Spanish. I'll look into it!
Where did you get that beautiful container for your pliers and tools? What is it called? I've been searching for a good way to contain my tools. Thanks so much.
Hi, Wynter! My rotating craft caddy came from Hobby Lobby. It only comes in black or white. Mine was originally black, but I painted it with bottle green craft paint (also from Hobby Lobby). That particular caddy doesn't appear to be available online at the moment, but do check your local store (look in the craft storage section) and keep an eye out for them online. They'll most likely be restocked. I've seen them at hobbylobby.com fairly recently, but they do tend to sell out quickly.
Hey! I just found my spinning tool organizer online. Here's the link: www.hobbylobby.com/Scrapbook-Paper-Crafts/Storage-Organization/Spinning-Tool-Organizer/p/STORG51325
I like your tool organizer. Where can I get one?
Hobby Lobby.
Where did that great tool carousel come from? That looks like it can hold lots of stuff! Thanks!
I got it at Hobby Lobby several years ago. I think they've been discontinued but I saw one that's similar (maybe even a little nicer?) at Michael's last week.
Is the pickle recipe same for sterling silver & brass?
Yes, it is. However, be aware that mixing metals in the same pickle solution can potentially cause cross-contamination. So, I usually mix a fresh batch of pickle if I'm switching between copper and silver or silver and brass. It's just a precaution. If you don't introduce steel into your pickle solution, you shouldn't have any problems with your silver or brass wire getting plated with copper. But it is possible that some metal alloys, such as brass, may contain trace amounts of steel. And anytime you introduce steel into your pickle solution, it will create an environment in which the copper particles suspended in the pickle solution can bond to other metals that you clean in the same batch of solution.
Hi Wendy! Thank you so much for all of your clear and detailed tutorials! I am going to try using my husbands torch today to see if I can get the same results you do to create ball ends on my copper wire! I already got all of the other supplies you recommended to keep things safe. Could you tell me approximately how long you keep your pickle solution before discarding it?
Hi Pam. That's a great question! It's hard to say how long I keep my pickle solution because it really depends on how much torch work I'm doing at any given point. When I was making a lot of jewelry for sale, I changed my pickle two or three times a month. Lately I haven't used my torch much at all. So, I discarded my pickle a few months ago and my pot has been sitting empty every since.
As a general rule, I would change your pickle when the solution starts looking cloudy. It will gradually turn blue over time as copper sulfate starts building up. But the fluid will continue to work well as long as the solution remains clear. Once it starts getting cloudy and crystalizing, it's time to replace it. The pickle solution that I showed in this video was at that point, and I actually changed it right after filming the footage for this video. I probably should have talked about that in the video, but I didn't think about it at the time. 🤔
@Door 44 Studios thank you Wendy! Thanks to you I used a torch for the first time today and had success creating balls on the end of my wire! Can't thank you enough for all of the knowledge you share!
I d have one question, Why do you use a crock pot for the pickle? Do you ever heat it up?
Yes! That's exactly what I do. I set the slow cooker on warm whenever I pull put my torch. The pickle solution works faster when it's hot, but not boiling.
Great tutorial..What's you use for solder cooper?
I don't do any soldering presently. I avoid it because my studio is currently in my bedroom, and I don't want any noxious fumes in that space. I'll start doing more hot work when I have a dedicated studio space. All that being said, I've never found a solder that blends well with copper. Even the solders that are marketed for copper leave silver colored seams. But it's been quite a while since I've tested solders. There may be some better alternatives out there now. Let me do some research and I'll see if I can find any recommendations for you.
Excellent video and excellent instruction. Can you reball an end if you don't like it?
Excellent question! And the answer is, sometimes. But I wouldn't recommend it because when you try to re-melt balls they tend to get too big and heavy. They'll often break off. It's better to just snip off the first ball with your wire cutters and start with a clean wire tip.
@@Door44Studios No none likes big heavy balls. :)
@@lawofattractionhypnosis1759 Indeed! 🤣🤣🤣
Hi is it possible to do the same thing with stainless steel 316L wire? 😊 thank you
I'm afraid not. Not with a butane torch, anyway. Stainless steel has a much higher melting point than nonferrous metals like copper or silver. So, if stainless wire can be balled (and I'm not sure that it can -- I've never tried it), you would likely need something like an acetylene torch to adequately heat that type of wire.
I've tried it with propane..it worked once but I could never get it to " ball up" again even if I stay for 5 minutes waiting...and can you do this with enameled coper too ? I've tried it with both bare and enameled...still it wouldn't bubble up.....
Enameled copper is difficult to ball up. It can also create smoke and noxious fumes, depending on the quality of the enamel and whether or not it's been clear coated. So, I don't recommend using it. Raw copper should ball up easily with a propane torch, but working with propane does take some practice and experimentation. Play with your flame adjustment and different gauges of wire until you figure out how to optimize your flame for different wire gauges. Be patient and approach it with curious, problem-solving mindset. If your wire doesn't ball up within a few seconds, make an adjustment either with your flame control or by repositioning the wire. Then, once you do get it to ball up, make a note of what your flame looks like and how you placed your wire. Next, try to repeat that with different wire gauges. It will work. You just haven't cracked the code of your particular torch yet. ❤
how long does it take for the solution to become toxic and not be able to dump outside? If i disposed of it right away after heating up and using would it be safe?
Copper will leach into the pickle solution on the first use and it gets progressively more saturated with copper sulfites with each subsequent use. If you dispose of it after each use, it should be relatively safe because it's not heavily concentrated. But I still wouldn't recommend that because you'll eventually build up a toxic level of copper salts wherever you dispose of the pickle solution, whether that's in your back yard or the public water system.
Hi, Wendy thanks for this video about ball wire ! Can you tell me if I could make balls on copper wire with a clear protective coating to resist tarnishing?
I definitely don't recommend working any sort of tarnish resistant wire with a torch. The coating will be permanently destroyed by the flame. And depending on what the coating is made of, burning it may also create noxious fumes and smoke that are harmful to breathe. If you really want a tarnish resistant finish, start with raw uncoated wire and seal the piece when it's done.
Thank you so much, Wendi! I love all your informative videos! I was wondering, do we need to worry about any smoke or anything coming from the torched wire?
Thanks! I'm so glad you like my videos. Most wires will not smoke. One possible exception is bronze wire, which can smoke depending on the specific alloy. Also, using flux will definitely create smoke. That's why I don't use it for balling wires.
I have done copper balls a few times (beginner) and I've struggled getting a big size ball....I like how you explained using 2 parts of the flame. Also, I was debating of getting a propane torch but I didn't feel comfortable with that. Is it the same process with thinner gaged wire?
Yes, the process is the same for any wire gauge. But the thinner the wire, the faster it will ball up. And that's because thinner wires heat up more quickly. The same can be said for moving from a butane torch to a propane torch. Because propane burns hotter than butane, it doesn't take as long to heat wire to its melting point.
Would you mind if I ask where you got the wooden rotating tool holder with drawers on the bottom.🥰
That tool organizer is from Hobby Lobby. Check your local store because I believe they currently have them on clearance pricing. I saw some the other day marked down to about $30. They only come in black or white. Mine was originally black, but I painted it blue with some craft paint that I also picked up at Hobby Lobby.
Thank you so much for your response. I wasn't sure if you read the comments so long after you make the videos. I will check the store today. Best wishes to you.
I wanted to know where did you get your tool carousel?
Hobby Lobby. It only comes in black and white, and I'm not sure if they still sell them. The last time I saw one at my local store, it had a clearance tag on it. Mine is about ten years old and it was originally black. I painted it the current aqua color a couple of years ago when I redesigned my work space.
I love the lazy susan you're using for your tools. Is that commercially available?
Yes! I think it's still available. I bought mine from Hobby Lobby. Michaels carries one that's very similar. FYI, I painted mine. It only comes in black or white, but the last I checked Hobby Lobby is still selling them.
Yes! I sure hope my store has it. Thank you so much.
@@Door44Studios
@@grammysgrub8870 good luck! If you don't find it in the store, go to Michaels.com and search for Desktop Carousel. Their version is very similar, but it has some extra bells and whistles that make me think I might need to pick up another one. 🤔
I love your tool caddy! Where did you find that??
It's from Hobby Lobby. I painted mine, though. They only come in black or white (mine was originally black). Here's a link: www.hobbylobby.com/Scrapbook-Paper-Crafts/Storage-Organization/Spinning-Tool-Organizer/p/STORG51325
Thank you! I'll check Hobby Lobby. I found a similar caddy at Michaels, but it didn't have drawers all the way around.
Thank you for this. Great tutorial! I have a couple questions. 1) do we have to use only sterling silver or pure copper? So for instance, any silver filled or plated silver would not work, right? 2) Also, about the pickle. Should we have pickle dedicated for each metal? I don’t do high quantity of anything. So can I use the same pickle for both or keep separate? Could we keep the pickle in a sealed jar until ready for use?
Thank you!
@suedaum plated and filled wires do not ball up well because you're dealing with two different metals. So, even if you can coax them into a ball, the finish is going to be different than the rest of your wire. It's not necessary to dedicate your pickle, but it's not a bad idea either. The main thing is to make sure you don't introduce steel into the pickle by using steel tongs or tweezers to pull wire out of your pickle. And yes, you can definitely store your pickle in a sealed container between uses. That's a really good idea.
Thank you so much! This is great to know and so very helpful. It’ll probably be a little bit before I try this, but you definitely take the scary out of it and give me the confidence that I can actually do this! Thank you again and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you so much for this video! I was getting so tense trying to back heavier gauge than 20 🤨. I thought I was going to crush my torch.
Only issue is I keep ending up with a tiny on point on the ball. Do you have any advice on this issue? Thanks ✌️❤️
Yes. That's an indication that you're getting the tip of your wire too close to the inner cone of your flame. That's the cooler part of the flame. So that little point is happening because it's not quite at the melting point. Pull your wire back away from the point of the inner cone of the flame. You want the wire tip to be close to that point, but not touching it.
@@Door44Studios thank you for your response. I actually was just practicing, and I figured that out. I was able to ball 16g, 14g, and 12g! Thanks to you. I love your tutorials and appreciate advice ✌️❤️
@@tbilly6201 that's awesome! 12g isn't easy to ball up with a butane torch, so you're doing great!
@@Door44Studios thanks I was really happy with the outcome. ✌️❤️
I have a new butane torch. I made 3-4 headpins with copper wire & can make no more. the wire does not call up. what am I doing wrong?
Hi, Judy. It's hard to say what can be going wrong because there are a lot of factors involved. But the first thing I would look at is how effectively you're heating up your wire. In order to get wire to ball up, you have to heat a good portion of the wire -- not just the tip that you're trying to ball. If you don't have at least an inch or so of wire that's glowing red hot, you're not directing enough heat to the tip to get it to ball up. So, make sure you're pointing your wire directly into the flame as I demonstrate in this video.
Hello again☺️ I bought a Hot Devil butane torch- but I’m not having lunch with the balling. I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong ? 🤔 any tips?
Hi! It's difficult to say what might be going wrong because there are so many factors that can be contributing to the problem. Make sure you're holding your wire directly in the flame and make sure the tip of your wire is just in front of the tip of the inner cone of your flame. You don't want the tip to be touching that inner cone. I needs to just be very close to it. Also, it's super important that you're using the right type of wire. It absolutely must be raw (uncoated) solid jewelry wire. Copper and silver are the easiest types of wire to ball up. Plated wires or anything that's coated with an enamel or poly coat won't ball up. If you're using the right type of wire and your torch is hot enough, it's just a matter of time, patience, and practice.
@@Door44Studios I discovered it was the incorrect torch. I have now bought a Bernzomatic MAP TS4000TK which uses propane. It’s just practice now. Thank you for you help ! Much appreciated 🙏🌸
@@Seneca85 Yay! I'm so glad you got that sorted out. Have fun practicing!
Can you do the same using BRASS wire?
You sure can! Brass is a little trickier to ball up because it's an alloy rather than a pure metal. But it is doable. Just keep in mind that you may need to step up to a bigger/hotter torch for heavier brass wire gauges. Also, torching brass wire really brings out the copper tones. So, you may get some discoloring on your balled ends after you pickle the wire. But you can usually get rid of that (or at least tone it down) when you polish the wire.
@@Door44Studios Thank you :-) i have just tried it and it worked!!! but i did have try a few times as it just kept melting off, yes only problem is now, it is a little red on the ball , do i still have tumble it?
ive just got myset up so i dont want to use tumbler for a couple of headpins as im just practising lol
@@bubblefizz9144 glad you got it to work! You do not need to tumble your headpins. You can just polish them by hand with something like a Sunshine cloth if you like. Sometimes that alone will tone down the red tones. Or you can also try a very fine-grit sandpaper to remove the copper fire scale. Something between 800 and 1500 grit should work well for that.
I have tried putting a ball on 22 ga copper with a torch. It gets firey red and hot but never makes a ball. Why? I buy my wire from Amazon as bare wire.
Hi, Mary Lou. It's so hard to troubleshoot this kind of problem because there are multiple factors that may be involved here. If your wire is indeed bare solid wire, then it's probably that you're not placing the tip of your wire properly. Make sure the tip of your wire is very close to, but not touching, the inner cone of your flame. That bright inner core is the coolest part of the flame, so it will heat your wire up to a red hot state, but it won't ball up the tip. 22ga wire should ball up easily, so the problem could also be that your wire isn't actually solid wire. It could be plated, which means it most likely has a brass core. And plated brass won't ball up easily. Can you send me a link to the exact wire that you purchased from Amazon? I might be able to tell from the product description if it's truly solid, uncoated wire or not. In my experience, the wire that's available on Amazon is generally not solid, uncoated wire. That's why I only recommend two or three sources for wire, and Amazon is not on that list.
@@Door44Studios it says it is polished. Where do you buy your wire?
@@thewirewench323 "polished" often means that it's clear coated, so I'll bet that's the problem. I buy most of my wire from Rio Grande. When I want to test a new wire on smaller spools I'll sometimes buy it from Creating Unkamen, but for the most part I buy from Rio Grande pretty much exclusively.
This is a great tutorial. I'm sure this is a dumb question but lol Does this technique work with any type of wire or just copper?
Not a dumb question at all! This technique works on any solid, uncoated, non-ferrous metal. So, copper, silver, brass, and bronze, basically. It won't work on aluminum or coated craft wires and you won't get great results with filled wires because filled wire is made with two different metals.
Hi, Wendy, I have a question - in my country I can find only propane-butane mixture. Could this be the reason for my wire not balling properly? I place it at the right position, the temperature of the torch is higher than the melting temperature of copper, yet the balls just don't form. On the other hand, it works with a bigger torch with larger nozzle, even though the flame is very wide and it's hard to find the right spot. Thank you for a great tutorial again!
A propane-butane mix should work fine. It will burn hotter than straight butane, but you'll get a cleaner flame than if you're using just straight propane. I don't think it's the fuel mix that's the problem here, so that narrows down the things that could be causing the problem. First, make absolutely sure that you're using solid jewelry wire with a raw, uncoated surface. Any wire with an anti-tarnish coating, plating, or a filled wire will not want to ball up easily. Next, make sure you're heating up enough of the wire to coax the tip into melting. I suspect this is your problem since you said you're able to ball ends with a larger torch that has a wider flame. It sounds like you're not heating up enough of the wire to get the tip to ball up. So, there's one more thing you can try that will help with that. Pick up a fire brick or two. They're inexpensive, and you can find them at most jeweler's suppliers. Then position your wire between the flame of your torch and the fire brick. The brick will reflect the heat from the flame back onto your wire, which will help to more evenly heat up your wire. Here's a good video that demonstrates that particular technique: ruclips.net/video/g0nJD96Xm4c/видео.html
Also, notice in that video how far she's keeping the wire from the inner cone of her flame. She's using an acetylene torch in that video, so it's burning at a different temperature than butane, but the concept is the same. That inner cone is the coolest part of the flame. So, it could be also that you're placing the tip of the wire a bit too close to that inner cone of your flame. Try pulling your flame back just a bit, and see if that helps.
@@Door44Studios, thank you so much! I'll keep trying with the new tips!
@@bairozan let me know how it goes.
I can’t get my copper wire to melt. I used this technique years ago with sterling silver and had no problem. What am I doing wrong?
Are you sure you're using bare copper with no anti-tarnish coating? If your wire is anti-tarnish or "copper colored" wire, it won't melt. So, that's the first thing I'd check. If you're sure you're using solid bare copper wire, then the problem is likely that you're not heating the wire up enough. What gauge are you using, what type of torch are you using, and how are you approaching the flame?
@@Door44Studios I used three different kinds of wire. One was from The Home Depot. The others were also from a hardware store.The package is warn so I can’t see the writing. I believe it is either 16 or 18 gage wire. The torch I just bought is a Dremel torch which uses butane fuel. I tried to heat it up the way you had showed on here. My husband and someone else on RUclips thinks it may be the torch. I tried this on a scrap sterling silver wire and it also didn’t work. Years ago I had a butane torch with a bottle when I melted the silver really well.
Okay. If you bought your wire at a hardware store, it is likely solid copper without any type of coating. So, that's good. We can eliminate your wire as the problem. That does leave your torch as the likely culprit. I'm not familiar with Dremel torches, but I would think that any butane torch you picked up at a hardware store would work on 16 or 18g copper wire. Make sure your torch is full of fuel and check for any flame adjustments. Increase your flame to the max. Then just be patient. It may take longer than you expect for your wire to heat up to the melting point. Especially if you're using 16g, which is on the high end of what a butane torch can effectively melt. And if that doesn't work, maybe try a different brand of torch. I use a Bernzomatic torch that is readily available at most hardware stores, and it's worked well for me for years. It's very similar to this one (affiliate link): amzn.to/3N01x5B
@@Door44Studios Sounds good and I may have to go with a different torch. Thank you for getting back with me.
Of course! That's what I'm here for. Let me know if a different torch fixes your problem.
could I ask why your pickle is in a crock pot , do you heat the pickle?
I sure do! The solution removes fire scale much quicker when it's warm. Heating is not strictly necessary, but if you want to finish your jewelry in one sitting you'll definitely want to use warm pickle. It will remove fire scale in minutes as opposed to hours at room temperature.
@@Door44Studios thank you that is very interesting …also your homemade pickle recipe i will try that too
Good deal. Let me know how it works for you!
Does anyone know how I could melt the tips of a braided copper bracelet I made? I've seen it on some copper bracelets but not sure exactly how to do it. I got a butane torch and tried to melt the tips but the copper wouldn't melt. Then I looked up and saw that I needed to get a soldering paste that will melt one piece of copper on to the other piece of copper. This of course would be useful, but what I was trying to do is just basically melt the tips without adding any extra copper on it. Then again I could just add a very thin layer say wrap around like a 28 gauge wire around the tips and just use some solder paste to melt them together then finely sand the excess wire down to make a nice even surface to the tips. Any thoughts on this? I am completely new to using a torch and feel pretty dumb tbh.
What gauge of wire did you use for your braid? If it's a relatively heavy gauge you'll need a bigger (hotter) torch to get the ends to melt together. A butane torch probably won't be hot enough to create the results you're after.
You can get multiple wire ends to melt together without solder, but you may need to use some flux and you need the ends to have a very secure mechanical connection. I've never tried to ball the ends of braided copper, but I have balled twisted wires before. It's doable, but the ends need to be tightly bound together and then they need to be heated evenly in order to get them to melt into a single balled end.
@@Door44Studios Thanks for your reply. I went ahead and bought some copper soldering wire which is self fluzxing. I'll cut it into little bits and see if it will melt into the braid. I used 16 gauge copper wire.
Will this work with titanium wire?
@@retrosnowwhite7077 I don't think so. I've never worked with titanium wire, but I believe it has a higher melting point than silver or copper. So you will likely need a different torch. Most goldsmiths use acetylene torches, which blend gasses to create a hotter, more tightly concentrated flame for detail work on precious metals with higher melting points.
@@Door44Studios thank you!