Hi!

In this Instructables I will be teaching you guys how to make a simple ring out of a coin. Its a really fun build, and it is not that tool-intensive, so anyone can make it. Enjoy!

Step 1: What Coins Can I Use?

Before you make a ring, you must pick out a good coin that will suit your style and size.

-The coin you choose must be approximately 5 millimeters larger than the diameter of the finger you wish to wear it on.

- Go online and check out what metals are used in your coin. Personally, I don't like anything that contains copper in it because of its tendency to discolor. Remember: just because a coin is "silver" colored doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't contain copper, it could be nickel-plated copper (i.e the American 25 cent piece).

I recommend the British 1 pound piece (Nickel plated Brass), or the Chinese 1 yuan piece (Nickel plated Steel) which is the one I will use in this instructables.

Both these coins are available for exchange in most banks.

Step 2: Tools

The tools needed for this project are:

-Hammer

-flat, hard surface (anvil, another hammer, meat tenderizer flat side)

-file (can even be done with a swiss army knife file)

-drill

-sandpaper (from medium->high grit)

-polish (i used Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish)

-SAFETY GLASSES

Optional:

-Drill press(makes drilling holes easier)

-Rotary tool(makes filing the inside down super easier)

Step 3: Shaping Your Ring

Start by hitting the coin with a hammer on its side so that it starts to flatten and grow wider. Rotate the coin as you do this process or else the coin may become an oval. Check periodically that your ring is circular.

Step 4: Correct Size?

Measure the diameter of a ring that fits you, and use that measurement as a guide for how big your ring needs to be. This can also be done by making a ring out of a small strip of paper and measuring the diameter that best fits you.

As you hammer away, make sure to pull out your ruler and check the ring's diameter so that you don't accidentally make it too small.

Step 5: Drilling Out the Inside

After you have finished hammering away at your ring, it is time to remove the unneeded center of the coin-ring. There are many different ways to do this depending on the tools you have at your disposal. This is the longest and most tedious step of the entire project.

For example:

Using a drill and a file, drill 2 holes side-by-side so that you can stick a file through and grind away.

Using a rotary tool, select a decent grinding bit that can fit through the 1 or 2 holes you have drilled through the coin and grind away(this is the method I used)!

Using a drill press: use a large drill bit and drill out the center in one go.

Step 6: Smoothing Out the Inside

Using a rotary tool or sandpaper smooth out any jagged edges on the inside of the ring. Make sure it is completely smooth on the inside for a comfortable ring. Start by using a medium grit sandpaper and working your way up to a fine grit one.

Pro tip: Wrap a piece of sandpaper around a pencil or a dowel to make sanding the inside easier.

Step 7: Sanding the Outside

Similar to what we did on the previous step, sand the outside of the ring until it is completely smooth. No scratches should be visible on the ring's exterior after this step.

Step 8: Polish

We're almost done!

Now that the ring is all smooth, its time to apply some polish so that it looks shiny. The polish I use Mag and Aluminum Polish made by Mothers. It is only about $5 on Amazon and lasts forever.

How to apply polish:

Rub a layer of polish over the entire ring very thoroughly.

Wipe all of it off with a cloth (i used an old sock)

Repeat until it is super shiny, almost a mirror finish.