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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 11, 2020 9:26:34 GMT -5
I'm making earwires for Christmas earrings. I went to ball up some Argentium (because the ball is nicer) and it flat out refused to ball up! It still had the tag on it from Rio, so I know it wasn't mixed up with something. I've done it before with no issues. Anyone have a clue?
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 11, 2020 9:36:09 GMT -5
Tela, I'm obviously no help with this...but I had to say, I really should have more coffee before I start reading the forum...I read "I'm making earwigs..."
I thought, "Well that's a new one!" LOL
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 11, 2020 9:37:25 GMT -5
Tela, I'm obviously no help with this...but I had to say, I really should have more coffee before I start reading the forum...I read "I'm making earwigs..." I thought, "Well that's a new one!" LOL
Thanks for the morning chuckle, Jason!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 11, 2020 9:39:26 GMT -5
I'm making earwires for Christmas earrings. I went to ball up some Argentium (because the ball is nicer) and it flat out refused to ball up! It still had the tag on it from Rio, so I know it wasn't mixed up with something. I've done it before with no issues. Anyone have a clue? Wish I could help you out, Tela, but I've never used Argentium. Did you dip the end in some flux first? Maybe that will help. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 11, 2020 9:48:31 GMT -5
I'm making earwires for Christmas earrings. I went to ball up some Argentium (because the ball is nicer) and it flat out refused to ball up! It still had the tag on it from Rio, so I know it wasn't mixed up with something. I've done it before with no issues. Anyone have a clue? Wish I could help you out, Tela, but I've never used Argentium. Did you dip the end in some flux first? Maybe that will help.
No, because I have done it so many times without. I don't use flux for reg SS wire balls, either. I just don't get it.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 11, 2020 9:49:01 GMT -5
Tela, I'm obviously no help with this...but I had to say, I really should have more coffee before I start reading the forum...I read "I'm making earwigs..." I thought, "Well that's a new one!" LOL You ain't right. LOL! |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 11, 2020 10:10:59 GMT -5
Wish I could help you out, Tela, but I've never used Argentium. Did you dip the end in some flux first? Maybe that will help.
No, because I have done it so many times without. I don't use flux for reg SS wire balls, either. I just don't get it.
Did you clean the wire first? I know Argentium is anti-tarnish, but if the wire has been stored for a long time perhaps a slight tarnish has developed that would inhibit melting. It's the only thing I can think of. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 11, 2020 10:13:33 GMT -5
No, because I have done it so many times without. I don't use flux for reg SS wire balls, either. I just don't get it.
Did you clean the wire first? I know Argentium is anti-tarnish, but if the wire has been stored for a long time perhaps a slight tarnish has developed that would inhibit melting. It's the only thing I can think of. After the first one, yes, I cleaned the second one. I'm just really flummoxed by this. |
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Post by toiv0 on Dec 11, 2020 10:22:08 GMT -5
Will try when I get home on mine in an hr or 2
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 11, 2020 10:43:25 GMT -5
Did you clean the wire first? I know Argentium is anti-tarnish, but if the wire has been stored for a long time perhaps a slight tarnish has developed that would inhibit melting. It's the only thing I can think of. After the first one, yes, I cleaned the second one. I'm just really flummoxed by this. Huh. I got nothin'  |
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Post by rmf on Dec 11, 2020 11:25:21 GMT -5
Tela, I'm obviously no help with this...but I had to say, I really should have more coffee before I start reading the forum...I read "I'm making earwigs..." I thought, "Well that's a new one!" LOL So is that earwig like the insect or did you mean ear wig like the the reason old men have so much hair around their ears - they are wearing and ear wig. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 11, 2020 12:56:15 GMT -5
Tela, I'm obviously no help with this...but I had to say, I really should have more coffee before I start reading the forum...I read "I'm making earwigs..." I thought, "Well that's a new one!" LOL So is that earwig like the insect or did you mean ear wig like the the reason old men have so much hair around their ears - they are wearing and ear wig. I was picturing the insect...but the ear hair would've been just as shocking to imagine...and just as funny! LOL |
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Post by toiv0 on Dec 11, 2020 13:00:17 GMT -5
I just held it vertical and balled right up 19 ga round Argentium. Medium flame.  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 11, 2020 13:13:22 GMT -5
I just held it vertical and balled right up 19 ga round Argentium. Medium flame.
Thank you for doing that. I used 20 gauge. Mine SHOULD have balled up. I didn't do anything differently. I WAS using a butane torch, but I have before. Oh well, I guess I could try again. Maybe I'll pickle some wire first? Maybe it is just really dirty. It is old and has sat around (in a zip lock bag).
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Post by opalpyrexia on Dec 11, 2020 13:44:36 GMT -5
Sounds like you might have a bad batch. If you read down this 2008 Ganoksin thread, the OP refers to a Rio tech confirming that problem. Argentium torch balling |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 11, 2020 13:55:12 GMT -5
Sounds like you might have a bad batch. If you read down this 2008 Ganoksin thread, the OP refers to a Rio tech confirming that problem. Argentium torch ballingThanks! I do remember they had some bad argentium. My stuff is really old. I got some 18g 1/2 round 1/2 hard around the same time that was useless. It was so brittle that I couldn't bend it at all without it breaking.
I have a few small pieces in pickle to clean it real good. I'll try one more time and chalk it up to bad argentium if it doesn't work.
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Post by Pat on Dec 11, 2020 14:01:45 GMT -5
Call rio grande. Good luck.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 11, 2020 14:05:40 GMT -5
Well, I just tried it again. No go.  Bad argentium. It's been too many years now to return it. I only have a little left. I was saving it for earwires. The rest was used for wire wrapping where I am assuming it worked ok or I would have sent it back. |
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Post by lpl on Dec 11, 2020 17:14:40 GMT -5
Well darn, that stinks. I’m glad you don’t have too much of it left!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 11, 2020 18:59:01 GMT -5
Who knew? That sucks, but at least there's not that much left.
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Bad argentium. It's been too many years now to return it. I only have a little left. I was saving it for earwires. The rest was used for wire wrapping where I am assuming it worked ok or I would have sent it back.
