Project Information
I don't know why I made these today, I'd meant to get around to them sooner or later. I guess subconsciously I knew it was my parents anniversary, wonder if that's why I made a "his and hers" set. Sure, I had glued up enough wood for two rings made from this "sandwich" of walnut between two slices of maple, as well as another pair from the reverse. Walnut "bread" and a maple filling. This just seems to be a classic wood combination that can't go wrong. Not just a combination of wood, or color, but also in food…
What I've learned from this process, turning something as small as a pinky ring, one teeny tiny errant move with your chisel, and the ring is gonzo. You can make a nick in a bowl and either sand it out, or turn it down a bit smaller. In wood jewelry making at this scale, there isn't room for a hair smaller. A tad nerve wracking, (yes I "lost" the other two rings I attempted) but fun to make, and see the reaction of people picking one up, trying it on.
The grain orientation of the walnut is perpendicular to the maple for strength. In fact, in the tutorial I was going by, the author tried to crack one of his rings in his hand like he was trying to crack a nut and couldn't. So despite the diminutive size, and relative thinness of these rings, I'm confident they can handle the rigors of "normal" wear with ease.
The larger of the two is about a size 10 1/2 (21 mm inside diameter), the smaller is about 18mm inside. as for me, the big is a tad big for my middle finger, and the smaller fits my pinky, a hair too snug.
They are sanded super smooth, are lightweight and very comfortable to wear. They are finished with walnut oil of course. (the only food oil that will polymerize into a protective finish, and will not go rancid) With wear the rings should develop a nice patina, or the oil finish ran easily be renewed. [edit… these are finished with a couple applications of bowling alley wax, on the lathe.) the tutorial had the finish with pure carnuaba wax (the primary ingredient, plus solvents in the hard wearing floor wax), but after seeing Franks rings, I see that going back to oil is just fine - and easier to reapply should I sell one, and it leaves my care.)
Oh, my wife's reaction, after looking at, and trying them on all her fingers for the best fit., just a simple, matter of fact. "I want one."
This is the 4th project in my 30 projects in 30 days challenge
cross posted on Facebook: B C Woodworking
other projects, (will these be included?) for sale on Etsy: B C Woodworking
What I've learned from this process, turning something as small as a pinky ring, one teeny tiny errant move with your chisel, and the ring is gonzo. You can make a nick in a bowl and either sand it out, or turn it down a bit smaller. In wood jewelry making at this scale, there isn't room for a hair smaller. A tad nerve wracking, (yes I "lost" the other two rings I attempted) but fun to make, and see the reaction of people picking one up, trying it on.
The grain orientation of the walnut is perpendicular to the maple for strength. In fact, in the tutorial I was going by, the author tried to crack one of his rings in his hand like he was trying to crack a nut and couldn't. So despite the diminutive size, and relative thinness of these rings, I'm confident they can handle the rigors of "normal" wear with ease.
The larger of the two is about a size 10 1/2 (21 mm inside diameter), the smaller is about 18mm inside. as for me, the big is a tad big for my middle finger, and the smaller fits my pinky, a hair too snug.
They are sanded super smooth, are lightweight and very comfortable to wear. They are finished with walnut oil of course. (the only food oil that will polymerize into a protective finish, and will not go rancid) With wear the rings should develop a nice patina, or the oil finish ran easily be renewed. [edit… these are finished with a couple applications of bowling alley wax, on the lathe.) the tutorial had the finish with pure carnuaba wax (the primary ingredient, plus solvents in the hard wearing floor wax), but after seeing Franks rings, I see that going back to oil is just fine - and easier to reapply should I sell one, and it leaves my care.)
Oh, my wife's reaction, after looking at, and trying them on all her fingers for the best fit., just a simple, matter of fact. "I want one."
This is the 4th project in my 30 projects in 30 days challenge
cross posted on Facebook: B C Woodworking
other projects, (will these be included?) for sale on Etsy: B C Woodworking
