The best thing to burn rings on a lathe is an expired guitar string held between two things (NOT FINGERS). Test several strings to see if you like smaller or larger wire and the burn it gives. I have one with the ends screwed into wood balls, one with two short dowels with a hole drilled through and the wire knotted, and one with the wire twisted around the shafts of a pair of small screw drivers. I find that 10 to 12 inches is a good length. Your mileage may very!
