After seeing how much useful material was put into aluminum cans, I was inspired to make something out of them, instead of trashing them.
These are fairly easy to make, can be made quite quickly with repetition, and make for interesting gifts. With some practice, you can even determine what parts of the can will show on the ring.
And what isn't to be loved about recycling?
These are fairly easy to make, can be made quite quickly with repetition, and make for interesting gifts. With some practice, you can even determine what parts of the can will show on the ring.
And what isn't to be loved about recycling?
Step 1: Tools and Materials
You need the following:
- Empty aluminum can
- Pen (with smooth sides)
- Clipboard
- An assortment of pliers
- Scissors
- Electrical tape (used in optional step)
Step 2: First Cut
Carefully insert the scissors near the top of the can, as shown in the second picture. Take care not to spill any leftover liquid inside. Then starting from the first cut, cut around the top of the can, until completely separated (Picture 3).
Be sure to clean up any shards that came off while cutting. (No fun stepping on those!)
Be sure to clean up any shards that came off while cutting. (No fun stepping on those!)
Step 3: Rinsing
Rinse out any of the leftover soda under a faucet, then use a towel to dry out the insides.
This makes the whole process much cleaner.
This makes the whole process much cleaner.
Step 4: Continued Cutting
Make a vertical slice down the length of the can using the scissors, then cut around the bottom, the same way we did to the top. Now both the top and bottom should be removed.
Take caution while cutting, more sharp metal is exposed.
Take caution while cutting, more sharp metal is exposed.
Step 5: Removing Sharp Edges
Hold the sheet of metal up flat, and cut away a thin strip of metal on each side. The strip should only be wide enough to remove the jagged edges.
After that's done, flip the colored side down, and roller it across the edge of a table to flatten it.
After that's done, flip the colored side down, and roller it across the edge of a table to flatten it.
Step 6: Measuring
Measuring Circumference: The easiest way is to find this, is to use a bit of yarn (I used a broken rubber-band) and wrap it loosely around your finger. Then simply mark it where it meet itself, and measure the length. I came out with roughly 2 3/8 inches.
Measuring Width: Depending on how wide you want the ring, you should make this part 3x wider. Ex: If you wanted a 1/2 inch wide ring, it would be 1 1/2 inches wide.
I wanted my ring about 1/4 inch wide, so I measured a little over 3/4 inches downward. Then I measured 3 3/8 inches perpendicular to the width line (length-ways). I marked these points with a pen. (Pen works okay on the shiny side, not so well on the colored) Cut all of this as pictured.
Measuring Width: Depending on how wide you want the ring, you should make this part 3x wider. Ex: If you wanted a 1/2 inch wide ring, it would be 1 1/2 inches wide.
I wanted my ring about 1/4 inch wide, so I measured a little over 3/4 inches downward. Then I measured 3 3/8 inches perpendicular to the width line (length-ways). I marked these points with a pen. (Pen works okay on the shiny side, not so well on the colored) Cut all of this as pictured.
Step 7: More Measuring, then Folding
Lay the piece we just cut out flat, shiny side up, then mark it length-ways into uneven thirds. If that sounded confusing, take a look at the picture. The measurements don't have to be as drastically uneven as they are pictured.
In case you were wondering, this is where the clipboard comes in. It helps tremendously with folding in straight lines. Push the clip open, then slide the piece of metal under it until it meets evenly with the widest line. Slowly fold the rest of it up, take it off the clip, and use the pen to crease all but the very end of it.
Repeat this with the other side, when completed, it should look like the sixth picture.
In case you were wondering, this is where the clipboard comes in. It helps tremendously with folding in straight lines. Push the clip open, then slide the piece of metal under it until it meets evenly with the widest line. Slowly fold the rest of it up, take it off the clip, and use the pen to crease all but the very end of it.
Repeat this with the other side, when completed, it should look like the sixth picture.
Step 8: Even More Measuring
Mark the circumference of your finger long-ways on the piece of metal we've been folding. Add about
1/4 of an inch for good measure.
In other words, the piece of metal should be marked with the distance around your finger, plus 1/4 inch.
Don't cut it at this mark, measure about 3/4 inch from it, then cut. Cut the end at an angle, as diagrammed in picture 3.
1/4 of an inch for good measure.
In other words, the piece of metal should be marked with the distance around your finger, plus 1/4 inch.
Don't cut it at this mark, measure about 3/4 inch from it, then cut. Cut the end at an angle, as diagrammed in picture 3.
Step 9: Bending
Use the pen to start bending the piece of folded metal into a circle, then push the tapered end into the other end, under the other two folded parts. It should form a squished down looking circle.
With the mark we made earlier meeting the end of the other side (the one we just pushed the tapered end into), bend the ring into a complete circle.
Use a pair of pliers to squish down any "bubbles" formed on the inside of the ring.
The ring should now comfortably fit your finger.
Step 10: Optional
The inside of your ring should be smooth, but if you feel the need for added protection, continue.
Cut a piece of electrical tape to the length of your ring's outside. Trim it to a little less than your ring's diameter, and slowly press it to the inside of your ring.
Cut a piece of electrical tape to the length of your ring's outside. Trim it to a little less than your ring's diameter, and slowly press it to the inside of your ring.
Step 11: Finished!
We're finally finished, go out and show off your newly recycled ring.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment.
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Also, after you have cut your straight lines to a finished edge, use a regular emery board to lightly sand them.
Great instructable, thanks for the inspiration!
first line: "Mark the diameter of your finger...."
You can also make card board circles from
the card board in which the soda cans come in
The soda cans bottoms make weight ring like impressions
while they lay in the card board
I always safe cans to use for earrings, necklaces, bowls etc., and I'm always looking for new ways to reuse them.
Now I can use them to make rings as well :)
Editing tip: it would be a little clearer if you noted that the first paragraph on step 6 is measuring the circumference of the ring, and the second paragraph was the width of the ring.
Cheers
As the creator shows in the instructable, he cuts the ring wide enough to fold over the edges. So when you're wearing it, there is no sharp metal exposed. You could make a tiny fold at the edge before doing that to be extra careful.
Filing the edges does help a bit, but better safe than sorry since this is something that is meant to be worn!
I really like this project. I'm thinking of all the cut out stuff I could make this with...
But use it in an unconventional way. Rotate it 90 degrees so the cutter is on the outside of the can.
Works great.
Duane
Take a look at pictures 3 & 4 on step 5. At those points it wasn't sharp at all.
And if you're worried about cutting yourself, then do step ten.
Nice work finding the improvised bending brake : ) Any problems with the aluminum cracking?
And I agree with the electrical tape, I like it better without. :D