how to make metal jewelry rings

We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Wear gloves and eye goggles. If you use metal other than aluminum, be sure to familiarize yourself with the cutting/shaping techniques and requirements. Take care when working with chemicals. % of people told us that this article helped them. Take fire-safety precautions when using a torch. \"Metalsmithing;\" Robert Ebendorf, Michael Jerry, and Thomas Markusen; 1973. Metal ring mandrel (or dowel, PVC pipe, marker, or other sturdy cylindrical object that’s about the diameter of your finger). Wrap the wire around the marking on the ring mandrel to form the ring. Once you get started, you'll come up with more ideas and it never stops! She is a university-trained artist and the author of dozens of books and articles on a variety of topics, including arts and crafts, law, business and public policy. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. \"Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing;\" Tim McCreight; 1997. Activate the lathe in the same manner as before and slowly feed the bit into the stock, the turning of the workpiece replaces the turning of the drill bit. Label chemicals so they are not misused. Form the wire into a ring. The ring design also features a lot of gold!It’s almost as if all of the jewelry of the original owner was combined into the one ring. Measure your ring size (or the ring size of the person for whom you plan to make the ring) using a standard ring gauge. So, I thought a guide on D.I.Y. Wrap the wire around the marking on the ring mandrel to form the ring. Check the ring for size before you solder. You can make your own metal ring using the same techniques that metalsmiths have used for generations. Remove the ring from the mandrel. You can also use a polishing machine and tripoli, white diamond and red rouge compounds to polish the ring. Start with simple ring bands or stacking rings you can make by simply combining silver wire with basic metalsmithing and texturing tools likes hammers and files. File and sand the soldered seam of the ring until it is smooth. Use parallel pliers and the hammer to very tightly fit the ring ends. You may need to file a lot to create a flush seam if you cut the wire with wire cutters. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Solder on a metal, fire safe surface. You're going to learn how to make one exactly like the two being held in the photo. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Polishing machine and tripoli, white diamond and red rouge compounds (optional). If you do not have a ring gauge, take a ring in the size you need and slide the ring onto your ring mandrel. Wire jewelries are fun to make and very stylish. Hit the wire with a ballpeen or forming hammer to shape the wire around the ring mandrel. Begin with 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper. Don't use a lathe unless you know what you're doing, and try to have a spotter in case things go wrong and you need medical attention. Treat the lathe like the serious piece of equipment it is – not a toy. Insert the piece of stock into the chuck. Well guess what. Branch out to alternative metals such as copper, and you’ve multiplied your ring-making options … Find metalsmithing supplies at your local hardware store and jewelry-making supply shop. Adjust the ring so that the seam, the place on the wire you cut, is flush. You can use any shape of wire, but round or half round are the most comfortable for a ring. Always read about proper operation of a metal lathe. Slide the tailstock into position, with the bit fully drawn back, close to the end of the stock. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Make-Your-Own-Aluminum-Rings-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Your-Own-Aluminum-Rings-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Make-Your-Own-Aluminum-Rings-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid226894-v4-728px-Make-Your-Own-Aluminum-Rings-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"