Wooden Ring

About 9 months ago I discovered an inexpensive, fun and easy hobby and want to share my craft with the good people of Instructables.com.

Things you'll need:

1. Sandpaper: One sheet of 150, 220 and 400 grit

2. Dremel - with sanding drum 60 and 220 grit

3. Polyurethane and foam brush

4. Miter saw

5. Wood glue

6. Clamps or vise

7. Two 2x4s or 2x6s in one foot length

8. If you have a belt sander you've got a bonus tool!

Step 1: Pick Out Your Wood Types

I buy my wood blocks at a wood craft shop here in town. I've also used small rounds about 4-6 inches in diameter. The wood in this instructable is zebra (outside layers) and Brazilian cherry (middle layer).

Step 2: Cut Thin Slices

Once you have your wood type, cut thin slices out of it. Even if you are making a ring with only one type of wood, gluing at least 2 pieces will strengthen the ring a great deal. I normally do 3 layered rings.

Step 3: Gluing Your Layers

Arrange your layers how you want them and use wood glue between each layer. I use the Titebond III. Then place the glued layers between a couple boards and use clamps or a vise to make sure you've got an even compression along the entire glued pieces. This is important because you don't want to waste any wood, I can get 2-3 rings out of these pieces. I put paper towels between the glued wood and the boards so they never stick together.

Let this sit for at least 24 hours.

Step 4: Cutting a Rough Ring From the Glued Wood

First clamp the glued pieces down to a small board. Using either a 1 1/4 to a 1 1/12 inch hole saw, make a shallow cut as pictured, but don't go too far. Now using a 5/8 bit (as pictured) drill all the way through the layers down the middle of the pilot hole. Then using your hole saw again, finish cutting through all the layers creating a ring.

Step 5: Sand Your Ring Down to Desired Width

Using a belt sander (if you have one) or just sandpaper, sand your ring to the width you want it, turning it over every so often.

Step 6: Creating the Ring Size

Place a dremel in your vice like in the picture, then in a circular motion, sand it down to the size you need (leaving it a little tight because you'll be sanding it more later).

Use 60 grit sanding drum for this.

Step 7: Sanding the Face

Now use the same 60 grit drum and sand down the face until it looks like the second picture. Now change the sanding drum to the 220 and thin it out just a little more, removing the rough sanding marks. Do the same on the inside.

Step 8: Hand Sanding

Now using 220 grit sandpaper, start sanding your ring. Get any thick spots sanded down and get the ring smooth and edges slightly rounded. Do this inside and out. Then use 400 grit to really smooth it out.

Step 9: Protecting Coat

After wiping your ring down to get all the dust off, use a polyurethane and a foam brush to lightly coat the ring, hang on a screw or nail to let dry (30-60 minutes). Do three coats.

You're done! Enjoy your new ring!

Comments

[ssenseney]

I looked at Lowes, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby and couldn't find any good pretty wood. Do you know anywhere else that might carry wood?

[ryan.sawyer87]

I use a store called woodcraft for specialty wood. You can order online as well

[harleyjon]

I don't know where you live but you may try in your back yard or the woods near your home, Not everything needs to be store bought. Of course you may need to let it dry before you use it.

[lions2005]

HI!

i'm wondering if it's possible to engrave a name on the ring, and if it is possible how can i do it:)

thanks

P.S sorry if my english is not good:):):)

[GPa Rich]

for sanding the inside I use a rubber stopper with a nail through the center with a bit of sandpaper glued on the outside, hold your ring with a padded pair of visegrips use the stopper in your drill set on slow, this gives you a even circle.

[GPa Rich]

Rockler.com or cherrytreetoys.com have on line wood catalogs, also you can search using "pen blanks" it will give you small quantity exotic woods

[quangtien.pham.35]

amazinggg

[arpegge.boschetto]

Hi! I have a couple of questions.

1) How thin are those slices? (each?).
2) Do you think this is a very difficult project for a begginer?

Hopefully, I will be making these soon. Thanks!

[jason0333]

1) They are about the width of the blade (about 1/8th of an inch)

2) I successfully made a ring first try....I'm NOT a wood worker by any stretch so yes, a beginner can do it.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you!

Cheers

[arpegge.boschetto]

Thank you very much, your answers came just in time for me. If I manage to complete this project properly I will upload some pictures.

Thanks again. Have a nice day.

[Mario2007]

Hey this seems like a fun project, how safe is the poly coating when it's in contact with your finger all day?

[Roland S]

Nice ring my dad used to do woodworking I,ll have to try this I have made rings before and I will proably make more, but a wood ring is pretty cool.

[jaroot]

Neat project! I voted!

[gravityisweak]

Wow this is fantastic! I'm just curious, either to you or anyone else who may read this... what about using a epoxy or resin to finish the ring?

[jason0333]

I've never used either of those materials, I use Krazy Glue on my rings after I use the polyurethane. The Krazy glue I find doesn't do the ring justice on it's own. It also has strengthened the rings a great deal.

[oddwon]

This was fun. I plan on making more. Great instructable.

[jason0333]

Wow, looks amazing! Easy to do huh?

[gravityisweak]

Whoa! Are the black sections wood too?

[oddwon]

Yes, I used ebony, purpleheart, and curly maple.

[framistan]

This could also be used to make some really nice game pieces like for playing checkers... or possibly chess. Nicely made instructable.