I am back with more ballpin questions. thanx to the forum, i've given up on gf ballpins, but i continue to make them in sterling. the only thing i've been noticing is that they are not really very round. each one i make has a little notch in it.  I must be doing something wrong. Any suggestions are welcome.

Many thanks,

Danika

Use flux

Hot, tiny flame

Point the flame directly at the tip of the wire and pull the heat away as soon as you see the wire starting to melt - you can always go back to heat more if the ball isn't big enough
 

Thanks, I will get some flux. I'll need it sooner than later anyway. I just haven't gotten around to it!

Cheers,

Danika

 how long does it take to ball 20 ga sterling silver wire?

i tried for 1-2 minutes yesterday, put it in continous flame in the heaviest flow, but it didn't ball at all.. :/ it does get soft and matte looking tho.. i used Roburn Microtorch. i heard that fine silver wire balls quicker but they don't sell it here.

i'm new at this, so please be gentle.. i never held a blowtorch in my life before.

It should take less than a second to ball up the end of a sterling 20g wire.   I use paste flux, and use a hot, tiny flame - put the wire at the tip of the blue flame - quite literally, less than a second.

 WHOA! seriously? D':

i just tried it again and it won't ball  *cries* and i put it literally around a minute or two.. i also tried to put it at the end of the blue flame this time. i could see the wire becomes red at some point, but that's all >:

---- here's what i got: both ends are matte looking and very soft 

do you know what did i do wrong? ^^;

 Clearly your flame isn't hot enough, I have never used a butane torch so I can't troubleshoot - but I really thought they could melt silver.  You need a hot, tiny flame - not a soft, bushy flame - very pinpoint, can you adjust your flame?  And, then put the wire at the tip of the blue flame - the inside flame cone...that's the best I can describe where I put the wire when I ball up headpins.  don't forget the flux.

 well, on the cover it says TEMPERATURE 1300°C / 2450°F. isn't that supposed to be enough? @_@ and yes i can adjust the flame. there's a slider button with - and + sign. it also says it melts gold, silver, copper, and small rod. this is mine --> http://www.bizrate.com/handtools/oid484598497.html

on the tutorial of making ballpin i got is using butane microtorch. it didn't say anything about flux tho.. maybe cos it's using fine silver?

what is flux and can i get it in any hardware store? where to apply flux?

thanks for your help, loopy ^_^

If you're using fine silver you don't need flux - for sterling, copper, brass - use flux.  I use Handy paste flux...I really don't know if you can buy it at the hardware store, it is available at all the jewelry supply places (rio, thunderbirdsupply, etc...).  You can make flux using boric acid (found at hardware stores), I don't know the recipe but you can either google it or search ganoksin.com archives, I know the recipe is there.

Adjust your flame so it is the tiny and sharp - again I've never used a butane torch...if there is a blue cone inside your flame - put your wire at the tip of the blue cone.

 Also, how are you holding your metal - or what are you laying it on?
 

i have followed all of your instructions but not the flux since i don't have it right now. i found out that by adjusting the air flow, it seems to make a difference in the fire flow as well. when it gets more air, the fire becomes more pointy and small. so i thought "hey, i finally found the solution!", my heart was lifted up, i happily tried, and FAILED! D:

i held the pre-cut wire with a plier like the instruction said to do.

i'm really frustrated! should i bring the torch back to the store? T_T tho i doubt they would give me a refund. there's no such thing as a refund in indonesia :< besides, the torch really works (in term of letting out fire), so i dunno what excuse can i give them to confince for getting my money back or replacing it with a new torch *sigh* :((

 before losing heart or returning the torch - get flux or try fine silver -

 find the boric acid recipe, and see how pointy you can make the flame.  flux, hold the wire as far away from the flame as possible and still actually hold it steady, and put the tip of the blue (inside cone) at the end of your wire.

 You're so close....
 

 loopy, i think i found the recipe!!

is it this one? 

"Flux:
Thoroughly mix 1 quart (946 mL) of methyl alcohol with 11 oz. (325 mL) of powdered boric acid. Then mix 2 parts of the alcohol-boric-acid solution with 1 part Battern's liquid flux. Coat the pieces to be soldered with this flux mixture, and ignite the flux for complete adhesion. Use a small artist's paintbrush to add extra flux mix to the areas to be soldered."

i found it under  http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/platinum-sterling-alloy-1.htm that i hit just out of curiosity x3

but what is Battern's liquid flux? :O

Here are a couple of links with the recipe - the link you found looks like it is for platinum.  

http://www.silverstall.com/soldering-silver-jewellery.html

 http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/flux_tvag.htm

MAKING FLUX

Flux is generally purchased as a liquid but it can also be found as a paste. Each requires a slightly different approach to its proper use. And, yes, it is possible to make your own flux and quite cheaply too.

Borax is the main ingredient to be used when making your own flux. Mixing a little with denatured ethyl alcohol will give you a flux. To make the flux even better many recipes call for a little Boric Acid as well. Look for a recipe or ask another silversmith if they have one. Getting another person’s take or experience in making flux is also a good idea.

All of the ingredients for making your own flux are very inexpensive but making the flux and making it well could be tricky and require practice. Purchasing readymade flux is the fastest and most reliable thing to do. The products are guaranteed to be right every time and give you the proper surface needed for those soldering projects.

Experiment to find what works best for you and your particular needs. Consult an expert whenever you are unsure or need advice. And remember flux is made from hazardous materials. Always err on the side of caution when working with flux and follow basic workshop rules by wearing safety glasses and keeping the flux away from your skin.

Hi popnicute! I have a question: are you really sure you're using sterling silver wire? It looks like sterling silver in the photo, but you have to be sure, ok?

Let me tell you how do I make my ball pins:

1) Cut the wire in the length I desire

2) I boild them in plain white vinegar for about a minute, then rinse in water and let them dry.

3) make the ball pins in the pointy little blue flame, not the big one, the small one.

4) then I boiled them again in plain white vinegar until the black color goes out.

 5) tumblered them for extra shine.

I have never used flux, and here's a link to make the ball pins, they are using pure silver but the  procedure is just the same. Hope this helps!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFduRXTQc1o

 Liz

 thanks loopy for the tips!! i'll try that :D

lizzylo, i had my doubts too but i'm pretty sure mine's sterling silver since i bought it from a silver specialized site. also i have oxidized my first piece and it works. the characteristic of the wire sounds like what people have described about silver wire. they're soft and pretty easy to work with. when i cut the wire, i don't see any difference from the outside and the inside, so i'm pretty sure it's not only silver plated. 

this is where i bought it from: sterling silver wire , their price is reasonable and the beads are beautifully made, the most important thing they're in the same country as i am. (some sites just won't sell their stuffs to indonesian customers =/ ) i will try your suggestion. see if i finally can make the balls!!! DX

oh, yeah, on the first day i got my torch, i tried to ball my artistic wire (20ga) and it wouldn't work also D: the color plating was burnt out tho. but i probably burnt it with a bushy fire like what loopy told me not to do ^^;

HOLY CRAP!!! GUYS.... I DID IT!!!

OMG I'M SO HAPPY!!! XD

I watched the video lizzylo linked me to and i thought "damn, that IS fast!" and i tried to adjust my flame to look like the instruction on the video. and i tried again... after a while it just wouldn't ball like always, my heart was beginning to sink again, but then i got an idea of moving the wire around. so when i tried to heat it from below, not from the side (like the end of the wire is facing the torch), it balled up in 2 seconds! i couldn't believe my eyes!!!

i haven't boiled it in vinegar, but i guess my wire is plated with heat prevention coat or something.. cos i think i could see something else besides the silver is burning up while it's balling, making the side that's attached to the wire a bit scratchy & bubbly. my second attempt is better looking tho (i think i fired it longer)..

AAAAHHH.. I'M RELIEVED AND HAPPY NOW! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GUYS! i owe you guys a hell lot Y_Y *bows down*

Yay!!! I'm so happy for you!!! That video helped me a lot, I'm very glad to know you did it!!!

;-D

thanks again! :D oh yeah, can i use the vinegar over and over again after boiling the silver?

I never use it twice because I use enough to clean them and the evaporation is very fast. But you can try it and tell me how it goes, ok?

Bye bye ;-D