A good way to melt silver or gold into smooth balls is to use a
neutral flame. As the ball forms to the size you want turn off the
oxygen and let the metal freeze in the gas only flame.
I use an acetylene/air torch, and I was told to cover the air holes
to create an acelylene rich (Low oxygen) environment as I ball the
wire ends. It helps some, similar to the advice above, but for a
single tank system. I never tried the “pull heat away very slowly”
method, sounds good, and I will give that a try as well.
Lisa W
Rick & Lisa Weber
Hi All,
A few weeks ago I put out a post complaining about Rio’s sterling
balled headpins. The balled ends kept snapping off making them
unusable. Recently, Thackeray Taylor called me and said they were
working on the problem. He sent me some new Argentium silver balled
headpins. I have only had a couple of days to work with them, but
they seem to be OK. Just wanted to pass on the message for anyone
else that was having problems with the other stock and also to give a
kudos to Rio for getting on the problem and being so generous with
offering the trial headpins.
Thanks Thackeray and Rio - it’s good business!!
Grace Stokes