Bentwood Rings

These are beautiful. I especially love the turquoise inlay. You call them "bentwood," does that mean these are a bent strip? how do you join the ends?

Frank…I really like that Ziricote ring. Is that a size 7 and how much for shipping?! Seriously, really nice work on these. Your fast f-stop makes for a cool effect but it'd be nice to see just a little more of the ring. I too am curious on how you made these.

*Edit- I just found your site and have answered my own questions!

Your rings are really a work of art. How does one make these? It would be a great topic for a tutorial.

best

I just found your blog, so my questions are answered also. Thanks for sharing these!

Thanks so much guys!

JasonWagner: I actually use a macro adapter (basically a spacer between the camera body and lens) to get in really close to the ring, which gives that really shallow depth-of-field.

Just realized this is your business so I would understand that my (our) requests for how do you make them may not be adressed. In any case your pieces are beautiful. All the best

Frank - I also did not realize you had the business set up. I like the pictures for the web site, I was just being selfish in wanting to see all that detail! I just came back from my basement to look at some bloodwood I have left over to make a ring like you initially described on one of your project posts (non bentwood). Thanks for sharing the information. I really do think these rings are great.

Again you did great job! I also like the 1st one with turquoise inlay. Someday I want to try the bent wood ring too.

very nice work, how do u join them together with no seams?

Junji: As always, thanks for the kind words! Be sure to let me know how it turns out if you try it!

Chelios and JasonWagner: No worries! I've actually talked about the technique on some of the other Project postings. I'm not too secretive about it, really. The main thing is to cut the wood really thin and soak or steam it until pliable. Thickness varies depending on species… some types of wood "want" a thin strip before they'll bend well. Average is typically just over 1/2 mm. The wood has to be bent around a form (supported on inside) that closely matches the ring size.

Some tougher woods bend easier when a heavy cloth (or similar material) strap is used to support the outer fibers from breaking outward. (Granted, I've really only had to use that trick on Bocote.)

bigike: Thanks! I do my best to hide the seams basically by how I cut/taper the ends, and then sand/smooth them out to make things blend together. In some species, it's pretty tough to spot the seam. It's a bit more noticeable n lighter or more plain woods.

Outstanding work…

Thank you, Dan!

Beautiful work. Very nice.

great work on these rings… thanks for describing the process… something I would like to try in the future…

beautiful work.

More fantastic rings from the ringmaster! Outstanding work Frank. You set the bar very high for us who try to aspire to your level of expertise.

Keep up the fantastic work.

Scrappy

Hey Frank thanks for the insight. You are a class act and a great artist.

again a Great Lookin Ring I Got to Get One for My Wife she loves Your Rings

Thank you all! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the kind words!

Frank. I love these rings and you are a tru master.

I did my reasearch some time ago and made a matching set for my wife and I just this Friday. She loved it as her anniversary present (5 years is wood). I used CA glue for my coating then sanded it down with fine pads. Is this how are you finish them? Did I mention that I think anyone who is going to try to make one of these whould get some super solvent (glue thinner getter offer) My fingers got tired of being snded.