Crystal Ring

Intro: Crystal Ring

This project can also be done with super glue if you don’t have means to solder.

The third picture is as shown on my daughter's little hands.

STEP 1: Strip a Coat Hanger

Use sand paper to remove any coating on a section of coat hanger. To help speed up the process I spun a piece in my drill press.

CAUTION! If you do it this make sure to hold the wire before you turn the drill on. Otherwise the section of wire will turn into a whip / weed wacker. Be careful and work within your experience.

STEP 2: Make the Ring

Hammer a section of wire flat. To do this you have to hit the wire squarely. It you hammer off center the wire will hook to the right or left.

Form a circle on a socket bit. Check it against the finger it’s made for for proper fit.

Cut the ring to size and file the ends square.

STEP 3: Polish

A drill press is helpful but not necessary. Mount a socket through a bolt into your drill press. Place the ring over the socket.

Spin the socket round and use 400 grit sand paper on the ring. Move on to 2000 grit sand paper and then polishing compound. You can place some electrical tape on the free end of the socket to help keep the ring in place.

STEP 4: Make the Setting

Use a paper clip to make the setting. Wrap the clip around a round shaft. I used an o-ring pick.

Cut a ring out and file the free ends so it closes with a nice fit.

STEP 5: Solder or Glue

If you don't have means to solder use super glue. Otherwise:

Secure the ring in a clamp for soldering. Place the paper clip ring over the seam of the coat hanger ring. Orient the paper clip ring so the opening lays over metal.

Apply flux and drop in a small piece of solder. Use a torch to solder it together.

File off the excess from around the edges. Use 400 grit sander paper on a flat surface to sand down the solder on the setting.

STEP 6: Apply the Crystal

I got this crystal from the craft store. Twenty-four of them cost me $5.00. They come in all colors.

These particular crystals have a heat activated adhesive backing (350 degrees) and are actually for clothing accents.

Place the crystal over the setting and use a little heat to set it. The adhesive holds very well.

STEP 7: Finish

Take a larger size drill bit and tape a piece of sand paper to it.

Roll the paper around the bit with the direction of spin for the drill press. Smooth the inside of the ring and any sharp edges.

Buff out any tool marks and polish with polishing compound. I found that a small file, with a piece of sand paper over it, makes short work of stubborn tool marks.

STEP 8: Gift

Ideas for the crystal can include a favorite color. Or you can be clever and use the color you get from mixing other colors. For example if your sweatheart's birth stone is red and yours is blue, get a purple stone. Red + Blue = purple. 

The entire project, including me taking photos, took less then an hour.

If it's lost, making another will cost about 23 cents. The hanger was free and the paper clip came in a box of 100 for less the a couple dollars.  

Comments

[shermanduke]

I really like this!

[kengamine]

wow. a neat and simple gift for a friend, because everyone knows that homemade gifts are worth more than the most expensive shop bought gifts.

[Simran Sharma]

wow nice ring

[Simran Sharma]

wow nice ring

[rb7007]

Absolutely Brilliant! :D

[Belana]

genius

[stephenniall]

Think i'm going to have to try & make one of these. I'd imagine it wouldn't be too hard to zinc/silver plate it to stop it from rusting. I'll have to experiment & post my findings.

[puddingpet]

I think I've seen coat hanger wire straight, uncoated at the hardware store before.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

So adorable!

[dolwiz]

I love this idea. My boyfriend could propose with this and I wouldn't love him less, probably more knowing the effort he would put into it..

[mcshawnboy]

In step 3, if tape doesn't keep it in place you can get something used by lapidaries to mount stones for shaping called "Dop Wax" is about $10, but would likely last a lifetime. Here's pot to heat it easy & safe, reheat it to remove after polishing. : ) http://www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=94265&catID=1125

[nanosec12]

I would monitor this carefully, especially with small children. Most coat hangers are made of a low grade steel, which will rust from the moisture on your skin. This can leave a reddish stain to the skin that is hard to wash off, but will eventually come clean.

Other than that, what a great project.

[Mrballeng]

Don't worry I used a Tiffany Platinum hanger. Actually it's a regular coat hanger =).

Thanks for the advise, I'll keep an eye out.

[srilyk]

You can coat the hanger using a clear coat polyurethane. It won't be perfect, since it will chip and you'll have to re-apply, but at least it will work for a while. You also might experiment with anodizing - you can get several different colors of anodization. Of course it increases the price slightly...

You can find instructables about anodiztion.

[Pie Ninja]

You can't anodise steel; the properties of rust make it impossible (well it is possible, but entirely pointless). With Aluminium or Titanium, you get a tightly locked layer of oxide. But with steel or iron, you just end up with flaky rust, exactly what you're trying to avoid.

The best solution would probably be a coat of paint or lacquer; or, better yet, use aluminium and anodize it :P

[coopgrl88]

can you electroplate it?

[nanosec12]

Yes, of course you can.....You can use any of several methods to plate it with silver, gold, platinum etc. But, honestly, I believe that this was supposed to be an easy/inexpensive craft to do with/for children. Taking it to the electroplating level is a bit beyond the scope, but entirely possible.

[tkjtkj]

i had no idea that one could solder steel ..

old dog + new trick !

[psuddeth]

Whadaya coat it with to keep it from rusting?

[Mrballeng]

You can use clear nail polish. I have not noticed a problem with rust yet but then again I live in a desert.