Need help-torching stem ends

[Jokermachine]

After cutting my too long, gong stem, I torched it to smooth and seal the end. The problem is when I did, the end melted inword slightly, making it hard to put in the basket screen. Any instructions or tips to prevent this inword bending would be helpful. Thanks. By the way, it's fun doing cutting and torching!

 

[Oregonglassblower]

Hey there. Sounds like you may just have worked it too hot or may need to give it a puff of air.A pic would help to know what is going on. Hope this helps,Mike-oregonglassblower.