Crafting Wedding Rings: Lathe Artistry For Beginners

Making a wedding ring on a lathe is a great way to create a custom ring that can be cheaper than buying a commercial ring. It is also a way to make something beautiful and sentimental. The process involves using basic lathe techniques and tools such as cutting tools, centre drills, and drill bits to shape and form the ring. The ring can be made from various materials such as brass, steel, or even unique materials like Nickel Copper Alloy NA18 (Monel K500). The process requires careful planning and execution, especially when it comes to safety and the use of the lathe.

Characteristics of making a wedding ring on a lathe

Choosing your materials

The first step in making a wedding ring on a lathe is to choose your materials. This will depend on your budget, the desired look of the ring, and the level of difficulty you are comfortable with. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to start with a material that is cheap and easy to turn, such as brass, and then have it molded and recast in a more expensive metal. This way, you can create a custom ring that is cheaper than a commercial one.

For those who want to incorporate sentimental value into the ring, you can use materials such as flower petals, gold flakes, or blue jeans and mix them with transparent resin to create a 3D effect. You can also take everyday materials like a coin or a piece of wood and bend it into a ring shape. If you have access to unique materials, such as those from your industry, you can use those as well, as long as they meet the required quality standards.

If you are looking for a simple and durable option, titanium, steel, or aluminium are good choices. These materials can be easily machined into a ring shape and provide a sleek and modern look. However, keep in mind that some materials, like titanium, can be difficult to cut off in an emergency, so it's important to consider the safety implications of your chosen material.

If you want to add some sparkle to your ring, you can incorporate diamonds, gold, or other precious materials. Just keep in mind that these materials can significantly increase the cost of your ring.

Once you've selected your material, gather the necessary tools, including a metal lathe with jaws, an expanding ring mandrel, a rotary tool, and safety equipment. Remember to always prioritize your safety when working with any type of machinery.

Mounting your stock

Mount your stock in the lathe chuck. You will need a piece of stock that is about an inch in diameter and 8 inches long. Secure the stock in the chuck so that there is plenty of grip on the piece. Leave enough stock hanging out to be able to move your tool post around without causing damage to you or the lathe. Set your lathe speed to the proper speed for turning your specific material. Don't forget to take the chuck key out before starting the lathe!

Now you are ready to start machining the ring. The first step is to insert a centre drill into the tail stock chuck of the lathe. Choose a centre drill size that makes sense with the bit you plan to use next. Turn on the lathe and slowly feed the centre drill into the end of the stock. You can stop feeding the drill when you reach about 3/4 of the way up the taper part of the centre drill. Lubricant is not necessary but is highly recommended to help save tool life. Use water in a spray bottle if you can.

Remove the centre drill and insert the drill bit you chose earlier. Turn the lathe back on and drill about an inch or an inch and a half into the stock. Remember to go slowly and back out often to eject the chips.

Drilling and boring the centre hole

Firstly, you need to mount your stock securely in the lathe chuck, ensuring there is enough grip on the piece while leaving sufficient stock exposed to manoeuvre your tool post without causing damage. Set the lathe speed appropriately for the material you are using, and remember to remove the chuck key before starting the lathe.

For the drilling process, begin by inserting a centre drill into the tailstock chuck of the lathe. Choose a centre drill size that corresponds with the bit you plan to use next. Turn on the lathe and carefully feed the centre drill into the end of the stock, stopping at about three-quarters of the way up the taper. Lubrication is recommended to prolong tool life; water in a spray bottle can be used. Remove the centre drill and insert the specified drill bit. Restart the lathe and drill about an inch or an inch and a half into the stock, remembering to go slowly and back out often to eject the chips.

If time permits, gradually increase the drill bit size until you reach just under the final desired diameter. This process may require several steps, depending on the size difference. If time is a constraint, you can use just two drills, but this will result in more wear on the drills, so caution is advised. If you don't have a bit larger than your target size, a boring bore can be used to finish up to the final diameter.

The next step is facing off the part until it is smooth. You can use a sharpened HSS tool bit or a carbide insert bit for this. To remove the sharp edge, add a slight chamfer to the inside diameter.

Now you are ready to move on to the next steps of shaping, finishing, and parting the ring from the stock.

Cutting the outer diameter

Now that the initial drilling is done, it's time to turn our attention to the outer diameter of the ring. The first step is to make the outer surface of the material even before measuring the cut depth. Bring the cutter point to the butt edge of the stock, ensuring it is perpendicular to the spinning material and just below the centre line.

Advance the cutting edge into the material just a little so that the very end of the cut is at the butt edge. Set the digital readout to X = 0 and Z = 0. Run the cutter very lightly down the length of the material to even the surface. For example, if you started with a diameter of 1.125" and removed 0.010", you'll be left with 1.115". Remember, any advances on the X-axis represent what will be subtracted from the radius of the material.

Plan to take away around 0.020 each pass. Go slow and steady. Make sure your material is spinning at the right rate and use the auto-feed on the cutter, ensuring it is moving at the correct speed.

To get a good concept of constructing your ring, start with the inside diameter, which is the size of the ring. You'll drill out that size, or a little smaller. For example, if the ring size is 0.732", divide that in half to get the radius of 0.366". Then decide how thick you want the ring to be, perhaps 0.08".

Think of your ring as the "radius of the ring size PLUS desired thickness". So, if you started with 1.115" diameter of clean material, which is 0.5575" in radius, and want to be left with a ring that is 0.446" in radius, move in 1.115" - 0.446" on the X-axis, which is 0.669".

Using another bit of your choice, turn the outside diameter until the ring wall reaches your desired thickness. Take light passes as you near the final thickness for a nicer finish. Now, add a chamfer to the outside diameter again to remove the sharp corner.

Sanding and finishing

Pre-Sanding:

Before moving on to sanding, it is important to prepare the ring's surface. Using a tool of your choice, such as a sharpened HSS tool bit or carbide insert bit, face off the ring until it is nice and smooth. Remove any sharp edges by adding a slight chamfer to the inside and outside diameters. You can also add grooves or decorations at this stage if desired.

Sanding:

Sanding is the process ofsection using increasingly finer grit emery cloth or sandpaper to smooth the metal surface. Start with a coarse grit, such as 200, and gradually work your way up to a finer grit, such as 2000. Be very careful during this step, especially when sanding the outside circumference, the face, and the inside circumference of the ring. Ensure that you also knock down any sharp corners on the chamfers. Take your time and work section by section until the entire ring is sanded evenly and smoothly.

Finishing:

Once the ring is sanded, it's time to finish it to add shine and protect it from rust. You can use a polishing compound to add shine to the ring. If you have used steel or iron as your material, consider applying a finish to prevent rusting. Alternatively, you can keep the ring away from moisture and store it with a silica gel packet when not in use.

Final Checks:

After sanding and finishing, carefully inspect the ring for any sharp burrs or imperfections that could irritate the finger. Use emery cloth to smooth out any missed spots until the ring is perfectly smooth.

Creating a wedding ring on a lathe requires precision and attention to detail. Take your time during the sanding and finishing process to ensure a high-quality, comfortable ring that the wearer will cherish for a lifetime.

Frequently asked questions