I'm just about to have a session making head pins. I've got all sorts of wire thicknesses (from .4 through 1mm), and love that I can salvage every last little clipping from them, and adjust the thickness and ball size depending on the bead. BUT I often get a little spikey bit on the end of the ball that is needle sharp, and I have to use a nail file to file it off.
How can I get a nice round ball on the end of the pin?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Try taking the silver out of your flame a little slower. That may help.
I must say that Shelley made some fab head pins for the bracelet swap we did - perfectly rounded and shiny!
I coat my wire in flux (borax solution) before melting the end, which helps a bit, and then polish them in my tumbler. That has saved a lot of finishing work for me.