How to make a silver signet ring.
In this tutorial, I will walk you through the process of creating
your own ring . I made my own from silver, although you can use copper and its alloys (brass, bronze, nickel, silver) if you want to make your project on a budget. I don't recommend gold, especially if this will be your first metalworking project. You will need some equipment, some of which can be expensive, but to be honest, silversmithing is not a cheap hobby. You will need: - Sheet metal of your choice, from 0.5 to 1 mm.
- Calipers, - Pen and paper, - All-purpose glue or any other glue that will hold paper to metal, - Saws, - Bench, - Steel block, - Half-round pliers, - Wire cutters or metal scissors, - Ring mandrel, - Wooden, raw or plastic hammer, - Small polished hammer (optional, for thick metal rings) - Square, oval, round, rectangular and mandrel - Silver solder (hard and medium, or medium and soft, - Soldering block, - Flux (borax is good will work, for an alternative try a solution of boric acid and alcohol), - Tie wire, - Long steel tweezers, - Ring soldering tweezers, - Propane torch, - Dremel or bench grinder/grinding wheel, - Flat and half round files, - Cutting vice at an angle (optional), - Sandpaper of various grits, - Polishing compounds, - Ultrasonic cleaner (optional), - Cleaning compounds (or your dishwashing liquid), - Polishing cloth. DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for any injury or death that may occur as a result of attempting to follow this direction. All steps should be performed in a ventilated area with sufficient lighting and preferably with a fire extinguisher on hand. Improper use of blowtorches, chemicals and hot metals can result in injury and/or death. Sorry, but you have been warned. This ring was made during my training. This is my first instructable, so I hope you enjoy it and forgive me for any mistakes I made while preparing it for you. Products for inventors Link to the store.
The simplest device for twisting wire rings
What are wire rings used for anyway? You can weave a chain from wire rings, use them as sinkers in making nets, make stoppers, or as patterns in decorative metal fences and window grilles. Yes, you never know for what. It all depends on the thickness of the wire and the metal from which it is made: iron, aluminum, copper, nichrome... And of course, on your imagination.
The simplest device for twisting wire is made in a home workshop
Two pieces of pipe are welded onto a long strip, one at each end. They will play the role of landing bearings. Plates are welded between the tubes and the strip, thanks to which the gap increases, which is so necessary to be able to wind wire of different thicknesses.
According to the length of the base strip and the inner diameter of the tubes, another pipe was selected, onto which wire rings were screwed. In this pipe, up to about half its length, a longitudinal cut was made using a grinder. A handle is welded to the opposite end of the pipe, where there is no cut.
That's the whole design
Ring made of pins and beads
We need: small beads, a handful of pins and an elastic band.
Thread the beads onto pins. Next, we thread elastic bands through the ends of the pins. Alternate the direction of the pin heads, preferably so that each next one faces in the opposite direction.
When you reach the desired diameter, tie the ends of the elastic. Here is such a simple and uncomplicated version of the ring in the style of the 80s.
Making a ring from twisted wire
First, we take our improvised crossbar (that is, a cylindrical object) and tightly wind the wire onto it three times. In this case, you need to ensure that as a result of this operation the “tails” are approximately the same length. After winding, the “tails” need to be intertwined with each other, pulling the wire quite tightly.
Now we begin to form the “whirlpool” itself. We align the turns so that they lie parallel and fit closely to each other, then we twist the ends of the wire even more tightly.
We continue to twist, holding the top with a finger so that the “whirlpool” is flat. This requires some skill and may not work out right away, but we do not retreat from difficulties!
When the “whirlpool” grows to the desired size, leave the free ends perpendicular to the rim of the ring.
We remove the ring from our cylindrical object and begin to wrap the “tails” of the wire around the rim.
Be sure to press each turn with duckbills, but carefully and gently so as not to leave dents on the wire.
When there are three lines, the ends of the wire need to be cut with wire cutters. We leave only very short pieces, approximately the width of the rim of the ring, and treat them with natfil so as not to prick your finger. We approach this task responsibly and smooth the ends until they are round.
We bend these rounded “tails” with duckbills onto the wrong side of the rim and press them well.
This is roughly what it should look like from the inside out. If the “whirlpool” turns out to be too convex for your liking, you can also press it in with platypuses. But carefully! It is very easy to scratch the wire.
Now the ring is ready. You can try it on! And wear it with pleasure. Generally speaking, to give a piece a more finished look, it should be patinated and polished. But this is a broad topic and, perhaps, for a separate master class.
Thank you for your attention to my MK, and look into my workshop “Gifts of Lempo” for interesting things, ideas and inspiration.
Coins for the ring
A great opportunity to make several rings at once. For example, paired jewelry for lovers. A very interesting and unusual solution. So, we make wedding rings ourselves.
Almost any coin can be used. The main thing is that they are larger in diameter than your finger.
We drill a hole in the board and place a coin on it. It should be located exactly in the center of the hole. Now let's drill through the coin itself. Take the product with tongs and warm it thoroughly.
Place the coin on a metal rod and tap the edges with a hammer to bend them. Do not forget to periodically warm up the product.
Initially, the edges are bent at a certain angle, so try to achieve the desired shape for the ring. Finally, polish the finished product.
Is it possible to make a silver ring with your own hands?
If you want to make a silver ring at home using the casting method, you will have to acquire special equipment and seriously learn jewelry craftsmanship.
However, there is another way to make a silver ring with your own hands. How? Weave an original jewelry from wire made from a silver-based jewelry alloy!
Jewelry fashion is now surprisingly diverse and democratic. And this is great: you can ride the wave of the mainstream, even without serious funds!
18.08.21
