Handyman's Valentine gift - Screw-Nut rings pair - Home made in 15 mins

Still not get a Valentine gift ready for your love? Here's one you can make in 15 mins. Actually it's one pair - for you and your loved one.

It's a pair rings of screw and nut. Perfect for DIYers, and perfect fits for lovers. The idea comes from A Perfect Fit. The original is from Kiley Granberg. The original rings are made from 24-karat gold, starting about $2,500!

Don't worry, if you don't have that much money like me, I've made an alternative costs only about 25 cents. And if you're handy enough, it won't take you more than 15 mins.

OK, let's get started. Valentine's Day is not far away.

Step 1 What you need?

Materials:
- 1 x Brass screw and nut, #6, available from hardware store.
- #14 copper wire, 6" long. I took a ground wire from the #14 cable.

Tools:
- solder iron and solder (avoid Pb, use lead-free solder. Thanks worldgnat)
- vice
- hacksaw
- steel wool, hammer, pliers

Comments

[yeah i know]

Is this implying something? LOL

[imshanedulong]

That's what I was thinking...

[raja681]

by #14 copper wire would 14 be the gauge

[jdavis65]

Yup yup. #14 is 14 guage

[gibson_se]

When you cut the screw, you will mess up the thread a bit. It might be a good idea to do a couple of test fits before giving the gift and trying them on "for real", so you don't have to deal with messy threads with your significant other.

[alterator]

to not fu** up threads while cutting, screw the nut all the way to the end, then cut it and take the nut off. this way the threads will straighten out. afterwards -- smooth sharp edges down.

[mikesnyd]

If you have a jewelers saw you could save the cutting of the screw till the end. After its all soldered up screw em together and with the excess sticking through cut it off with the jewelers saw. When you unscrew them it will bend the cut end back into the right thread. Justa little sanding or light filing to remove the fine edge and you will be ok.

[AuzzieGuy42]

You could make the original rings out of old coins.
Although I'm unsure how the soldering of the nut and bolt would go..

[arb1ter]

im either gonna make this or a silver ring out of quarter for my girlfreind for valentines day im cheap, she knows it, she loves me

[Warlrosity]

I like the pun

[collin14]

hey has anyone considered to make these into brass Knuckles?

[santy22]

 You can wear 4 screws, a little bit longer, and you got yourself some extreme pain.

[doughnutguy1]

>:D

[Shroomy]

Hello guys and ladies..I have noticed that everyone knows Pb ist poisionious, Very good! but oxidated copper is really harmfull too ! ( thats why in old times people coated the copper cooking pots with "tin-coat"... Please remember this fact too.. Thanks..  Best choice is Brass for me..I was seeman and brass is everywhere.. :D.. God speed all of you and your hand-craft !

[Whackmaster]

My local Target store has 10K plain band rings for $20-50, depending on size and frills.  I would think a pawn shop would have a variety of plain band rings for $10-20.  That would be a bit more expensive than a small strip of copper wire, but it would be much more durable and have no deleterious health consequences or funny green discoloration.

BTW, solder designed for electronics work is not intended to provide much of a mechanical bond.  In my experience you could expect the nut or bolt to fall off within weeks of regular wearing... faster if you are very active.  "Silver solder" designed for plumbing would provide a slightly stronger joint.  As previously allude to, avoid any solder with ANY lead (Pb) in it as lead is fairly toxic and would absolutely absorb through your skin.

[Weissensteinburg]

Nice job. If you wanted a thicker band, like the actual ones have, conduit or some similar pipe would work.

[j626no]

i actually thought for a more handmade feel, you could just use thicker copper wire and hammer it flat. just a thought.

• my only concern is that the copper would make the wearer's finger turn green...perhaps try a more expensive metal to avoid this.

[smurfsahoy]

Your skin doesn't know how much a metal costs... There are cheap metals that do not stain your skin. Aluminum, for example, or stainless steel. Depending on the product you buy, these could easily be even cheaper than copper. You can also just put some kind of clear enamel or similar onto copper jewelry to prevent this. It will be shiny and have a different look, but if that's okay...

[porcupinemamma]

ummm ...you might want to skip the aluminum.  I've heard it's not good to cook with aluminium pots, so I'm thinking wearing it on your skin might be unhealthy too.

[j626no]

sorry. i didnt mean expensive like that...copper is actually a rather expensive metal. poor diction on my part. i have actually posted an instructable on making an aluminum ring by hand. Aluminum ring

[MrPumpernickel]

Really, aluminium isn't really good for making jewelry either. The long term health hazards of long term aluminium exposure can have detrimental effects on your nervous system and brain affecting things like memory.

There are better metals to make jewelry from, the problem is really the combination of being both malleable and safe. Silver, if you use the right alloy, is pretty awesome at that though, and is not ridiculously expensive.

[sugarsong]

This isn't a proven fact, so far as I know. My phsychology teacher explained that there is a correlation between aluminum and certain health issues, but correlations do not prove cause and effect. For instance, there may be a correlation between six year olds being hit by cars and their haveing had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Correlation, not cause and effect. But maybe there are some new studies out that I havent heard about, entirely possible. If so, that would be good to know:) Thanks for looking out for everyones health:)

[thepelton]

If you are looking for alternative metals, do not use nickel. It can cause a rash.

[knottynaz]

NICE! This will be an unusual gift to give to my hubby. Thanks for something fresh

[NKumiko]

One thing you can tell your lover = "Screw you!"
lawl. sounds like a break up message xDD
Great idea!! I love it!

[bonecholampworks]

Wonderful!!!

[bowmaster]

So is the nut the guys and the bolt the girls? Or the other way around?

[KWHCoaster]

Reference material:

http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Dummies-Dr-Ruth-Westheimer/dp/1568843844

;-)

[RedBinary]

 I've seen that book && always wonder "Why encourage them to reproduce?"

[bowmaster]

So the not is the girls? I just thought that the nut might be the guys.

[jongscx]

Without being too explicit.... The nut is the receiver and the bolt is the emitter...

[static]

That or use plumbing terms. Female thread, male thread.

[mg0930mg]

Yeah, cause that didn't confuse anyone... /sarcasm

[jessandstavro]

So clever! Even if you didn't have the original concept, the 25cent version gets extra points!

[Dystonia]

Now for the final touch -have them gold plated !
that would be neet !

[cal-mi]

You should get lead-free solder that is suitable for water supply piping (and jewelry) at hardware or plumbing supply store.

[choch]

If you want a better band use Brass instead of Copper. The easiest way is to go to a welding supply shop and buy a brass brazing rod. It  usually comes coated with flux but it taps off very easily. Using finer brass wire but twisting several strands would also make it look very professional.

[ShippingGuy]

Very Cool Idea!
Definately a Heart Winner!

[Twicebak3dpotato]

Am I the only one thinking this? "WONDER TWIN POWERS; ACTIVATE!"

[bethiekat]

.....TOTALLY what I was thinking too. Really.