Ball Wire Ends With a Torch | Wire Jewelry Basics

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.

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⏱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 - https://amzn.to/3bPBHB7
○ Cross Lock Soldering Tweezers - https://amzn.to/3rSzVVd
○ Bamboo Tongs - https://amzn.to/3ePyGmk

Do you want to master the art of creating jewelry with wire?
📙 Download my FREE Jewelry Wire Reference Guide! 📙
🔗 https://door44studios.ck.page/b142844773
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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