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Melting Smooth Silver Balls Without Wrinkles
A tip from @limbagal for melting wire into smooth balls by cooling them slowly with a propane only flame or by backing the torch away.
Posted almost 6 years ago
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2,344 likes
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106 comments
Here is a technique to create smooth silver balls from @limbagal - βNo one likes wrinkly silver balls!!!
How to melt wire into smooth balls using an oxygen/propane torch. Light torch as usual. Melt wire until it forms into a ball. When the wire balls up, close oxygen nob on your torch handle leaving only the propane gas flame warming the ball. This allows the metal to cool slowly and evenly. If using a single gas torch (like acetylene) heat wire untill it balls up then very slowly back the torch away so that it cools slowly. And voila! Nice smooth balls to add detail to your pieces. No dimples or wrinkles!
(I also dip my wire in flux before heating, seems to work better for me)β π π Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us! We love videos of people soldering! So helpful! If you want to demo a technique for us please email me at corkie@metalsmithsociety.com π #soldering #solderingjewelry
How to melt wire into smooth balls using an oxygen/propane torch. Light torch as usual. Melt wire until it forms into a ball. When the wire balls up, close oxygen nob on your torch handle leaving only the propane gas flame warming the ball. This allows the metal to cool slowly and evenly. If using a single gas torch (like acetylene) heat wire untill it balls up then very slowly back the torch away so that it cools slowly. And voila! Nice smooth balls to add detail to your pieces. No dimples or wrinkles!
(I also dip my wire in flux before heating, seems to work better for me)β π π Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us! We love videos of people soldering! So helpful! If you want to demo a technique for us please email me at corkie@metalsmithsociety.com π #soldering #solderingjewelry
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