|
|
Post by NatureNut on Sept 23, 2011 7:04:53 GMT -5
Has anyone noticed anything strange about Rio Grande's Half Hard Argentium Silver wire lately.... in the batches they've been putting out since like late last spring?
|
|
|
|
Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Sept 23, 2011 8:25:57 GMT -5
?
the only thing I noticed about it is that it has a plasticy feeling to it when working it. That I noticed the first time I ever worked it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 23, 2011 16:56:19 GMT -5
You mean like turning black? I did a wire wrap for Jackie (she's also a member of these forums), the entire wrap turned solid black. I was able to polish it back to silver again.
|
|
|
|
Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Sept 23, 2011 17:09:21 GMT -5
argentium should only go to a golden color when badly tarnished not black!
|
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Sept 23, 2011 17:53:36 GMT -5
I've noticed the "spring-y" feeling too. Like you bend it and it doesn't wanna stay. Make a tight bend and it snaps.
When we went through Albuquerque last spring I took the spools I had just received two weeks prior in and asked them about it. They brought a technician out from the back to handle me. He admitted it was a little "springy". Said it was probably something in the "tempering" process. The new batch was better, but not like it used to be.
I'm just asking because I recently ordered some half hard again... half round this time. It' so dang frustrating. The bind won't stay when I let go it springs loose and I have to hold it tight until I anchor the end. Argh! As if wrapping didn't need octopus arms already.
I did notice a few black spots on the wire, and it going dull in some places. Not black though.
Just wondering if it is me, or if anyone else is noticing it. Jo
|
|
|
|
Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Sept 23, 2011 18:58:04 GMT -5
I have only ever ordered dead soft and never had that issue. I got mine in at the beginning of this year.
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Sept 24, 2011 8:36:58 GMT -5
I have the same springy issue doing binding wraps with HH half round too Jo, but I have sterling.
Nate
|
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Sept 24, 2011 19:00:23 GMT -5
Hmmm...
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Sept 24, 2011 19:36:57 GMT -5
You know now that I think about it, it might be wire from this batch too. It's only my 2nd order of wire, but I don't remember having such issues with the 1st batch I had gotten.
Nate
|
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Sept 25, 2011 4:34:57 GMT -5
I haven't been wrapping much lately but with my last order of 22 square dead soft from Rio, the edges of the wire seems to be sharp. I haven't wrapped with it yet but I hope it doesn't effect anything. I wonder if this would also be a "milling" issue.
I have also found that if the argentium comes in contact with cheap metal it will turn quickly. I had mine hanging on one of those metal hooks that you screw under a shelf and it turned.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Sept 25, 2011 10:40:14 GMT -5
I have never cared for Argentium, too stiff when wrapping. I would rather use sterling.
Lee
|
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Sept 25, 2011 20:26:28 GMT -5
I think we all have developed our own personal preferences as far as types of metals, hardness, size and such... and that's how it should be.  I know that if wire comes with a twist tie, I take the twist tie off because the plastic or paper can rub off and the wire inside the twist tie can come in contact with the metal and turn it. Nate, same here. I'm like mumbling to myself, "geez, I don't remember having so much trouble before..." Lori's hitting on something I was suspecting. It's like they changed their equipment or something. |
|
|
|
Post by christopherl1234 on Sept 26, 2011 2:47:29 GMT -5
I wonder if Rio could provide any information?
|
|
lisatech
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 140
|
Post by lisatech on Oct 22, 2011 21:31:59 GMT -5
A little late to this post but I wonder if the 'hardening' process for that particular batch went a bit too far. It would be interesting to see, if with some of that wire that is too 'springy', to anneal it and see if that helps it be less brittle... The comment about bending it too much and the wire 'snapping' is what makes me think it might be too 'hard'.
|
|
Nov 12, 2024 9:54:37 GMT -5
Nov 12, 2024 9:54:37 GMT -5
Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
*
Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
*
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
