Introduction: Ring From Stainless Steel Ruler
I work by trade as a Jeweller and I often find myself at my bench having to find a ruler. Rather than having to rummage around on my workbench each time , and the fact that most things I work with are small. Inspired by the contest, I thought I would make a quick ruler ring.
Step 1: Cutting the Ruler Down
I used tin snips to cut the ruler down, then using files and sand paper tidied up the edges. To get the size of the ring, I used a scrap piece of paper. The action of sanding and filing the edges bent the metal slightly so I then straighten it out using a rubber mallet and block
Step 2: Forming the Ring
I annealed the ring several times and used a pair of round pliers and a rubber mallet to get it to basic round shape. I then flexed each edge under each other so they would spring back into position. When the ends were touching I ran a file between the two as pictured. As you can see in the last photo there is a slight gap. I continued running the file between the two until they were flush,.
Step 3: Cleaning
The Ruler had been on my bench for years, so before attempting to solder it. I placed it in an ultrasonic cleaner for half an hour
Step 4: Soldering the Ring
I used a low temperature solder paste to join the ring. In hindsight I should of used some binding wire as due to the thinness of the metal it separated slightly at one end with the heat, which you can see as a a slight gap in the finished ring. When the ring was soldered. I then used my ring mandrel and rubber mallet to round and size it.
Step 5: Polishing the Ring
To polish, I used a luxi black and a luxi pink bar on a hard and soft wheel. If you have not use these bars before, I can highly recommend them as they produce far less mess.
Step 6: Final Steps
To attach the ruler to the top of the ring I used a copper rivet. I first marked the hole on the flat part and drilled it. Then using double sided tape, aligned it to the ring and using an archimedes drill, started a pilot hole through the ring and finished that off with the bench drill. I then used a rivet setter to attach the rivet.
Step 7: The Finished Ring
And theres the finished ring. I am a bit annoyed about not correcting the gap in the ring, but as its for my workshop use I can live with it.