Crafting Wooden Wedding Bands: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wooden wedding bands are a unique alternative to traditional metal rings. They are handcrafted from natural wood, such as walnut, maple, and exotic hardwoods, and can be customised with inlays of carbon fibre, titanium, or gold. Creating a wooden wedding band involves laminating and shaping wood, and then sanding and polishing it to achieve a smooth, glassy finish. While wooden rings require special care to protect them from water damage, they can be designed to last a lifetime with proper treatment. For those interested in crafting their own wooden wedding bands, jewellery workshops offer private classes where couples can learn traditional techniques like wax carving and create their own unique rings.

Choosing the right type of wood

When it comes to choosing the right type of wood for your wooden wedding band, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a wood that is aesthetically pleasing to you and your partner. The natural beauty of wood lies in its varying patterns and unique grain, so choose a type of wood that speaks to you and reflects your personal style.

Some popular options for wooden wedding bands include Hawaiian Koa, which is known for its reddish-brown or medium gold colour and interesting grain patterns. Koa is also considered a symbol of integrity and strength in Hawaiian culture, making it a meaningful choice for a wedding band. Mahogany is another popular option, known for its straight-grained reddish-brown hue and high workability, making it easy to craft into jewellery.

If you're looking for something unique and rare, you might consider Arizona Desert Ironwood, which is known for its unmatched colours, grain, and extreme durability. Another option is Olivewood, which is characterised by dramatic black lines and is said to symbolise healing, cleansing, and peace.

In addition to aesthetics, you'll also want to consider the durability of the wood. Some woods, like Mahogany, have high rot resistance and are less prone to shrinkage or swelling, making them ideal for jewellery that will stand the test of time. Ebony, known for its super dark hue and fine texture, is another durable option that can withstand everyday wear and tear.

It's also important to note that wooden rings require special care. They should be kept away from water and moisture as much as possible and occasionally treated with oil to rejuvenate the wood. With the right care, a wooden wedding band can last for years, providing a unique and rustic alternative to traditional metal bands.

Cutting and laminating the wood

To cut and laminate the wood for a wooden wedding band, you'll need to start by gathering your materials. In this case, the wood of choice is Peruvian Walnut and Hard Maple. The plan is to laminate these together and then chop the laminate perpendicular to its longest dimension. This will result in a piece that can be used to create the ring.

To achieve the desired design of a strip of light maple in between the dark walnut, a thin strip of maple needs to be created. Adjust your bandsaw to make a very thin cut; around 0.062” thick or 1.58mm. Smooth one side of the strip with a bevel-up smoother plane, and use the smooth side as a reference face when pressing against the fence during cutting.

Sand the maple strips against a flat surface, using a piece of walnut to ensure the maple is pressed flatly. Once you have your strips, create the master laminate by smoothing all the glue surfaces with a smoothing plane.

For the glue-up, stack your strips in the following order: walnut, maple, walnut, maple, walnut. Add two outer layers of a material called cauls to spread out the clamp pressure. Leave the glue to dry overnight.

Once the glue is dry, use a shooting plane to smooth out the laminate and create right angles. Set the plane on a shooting board to hold it at the correct angle, then move the plane towards the shooting board's fence while pushing the workpiece into the plane.

Finally, cut out a small square piece from the laminate using a bandsaw. This will be your workblock, from which you will shape the ring.

Using a lathe to shape the ring

Now that you have your wooden blank, it's time to shape the ring. If you are using a metal band, it should already be glued to the wooden blank. If not, you can use a mandrel to hold the wooden blank in place while you turn it. A mandrel is like a step bit with a centre screw that expands the jaws to hold the ring in place.

Before you turn the ring, you will need to "dress" the butt end of the material. This involves making the outer surface of the material even so that you can start to measure 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 point is just biting into the butt edge. Set the digital readout to X = 0 and Z = 0, then run the cutter very lightly down the length of the material to even the surface.

Next, you can start to reduce the diameter of the ring. Work on getting the wooden part thin enough to make a comfortable ring. Don't be afraid to get the thickness down to less than 1/8 inch or even 1/16 inch at the thinnest part. Remember that the ring needs to be comfortable to wear, so you can't have a really thick piece of wood. Once you are down to the final size, round the outside edges and create your profile.

Switch to sandpaper and work through the grits until you reach 320. Then, switch to 0000 steel wool to polish the surface even more. If you want to add a finish to your ring, you can use a hand-applied oil finish or buff the ring with a buffing pad and some Tripoli compound.

Sanding and polishing the ring

Once you have the basic shape of the ring, it's time to refine it and bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Sanding is an important step in achieving a smooth and polished finish. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Start with Steel: Use a steel tool to shape the ring and hack away at any imperfections or uneven surfaces. This step will help you achieve the desired shape and get rid of any major flaws. Take your time and be careful not to remove too much material.
• Sandpaper Grits: After the initial shaping, it's time to sand the ring. Start with a medium-grit sandpaper and work your way up to finer grits. Begin with 120-grit sandpaper and gradually move to 220-grit, 320-grit, and finally, 400-grit. This gradual progression will help you achieve a smooth and even surface. Take your time with each grit and ensure the entire surface is evenly sanded.
• Sand with Patience: Sanding is a gradual process, so be patient and evaluate your work constantly. Pay attention to the grain of the wood and sand with the direction of the grain, not against it. This will help you achieve a smooth, refined finish that brings out the natural beauty of the wood.
• Use a Mandril: To hold the ring securely while sanding, create a mandril by taking a piece of hard maple and turning it slightly larger than the diameter of the ring's inner blank. Taper it slightly, and you'll be able to press the ring onto it firmly. The mandril will provide a stable base for sanding and polishing.
• Wax the Mandril: Before attaching the ring to the mandril, apply wax to the mandril. This might seem counterintuitive, but it's important to ensure that the ring doesn't get permanently stuck to the mandril. The wax will create a barrier that prevents glue or finish from adhering to the mandril.
• Apply Cyanoacrylate (CA): Use a thin and watery type of super glue, such as cyanoacrylate (CA), to finish the ring. Set your lathe to its slowest speed or hand-turn it. Apply a small amount of CA to a paper towel and press it onto the ring. Repeat this process about 15 times, using a CA aerosol activator between coats to speed up drying.
• Polishing: Once the CA finish is complete, it's time to polish. Use a polishing compound and a paper towel to rub against the ring. It should take about a minute to bring it to a bright shine. If you applied thin coats of CA, you can proceed directly to polishing. However, if there are any globs or imperfections, you'll need to sand them down and repeat the finishing process.
• Comfort and Consistency: Don't forget the inner surface of the ring. Apply masking tape to the outside to protect the finish, then repeat the sanding and polishing process on the inside. This ensures that the ring is comfortable to wear and has a consistent finish all around.

Remember, accidents can happen during the sanding and polishing process, just like any other step. Stay patient, and if something goes wrong, take a break, evaluate the situation, and work towards a solution. With a bit of effort and dedication, you'll end up with a unique and beautiful wooden wedding band.

Sealing the ring with enamel

Enamel paint is highly practical for surfaces that are subject to regular wear and tear, and it gives the surface a hard, glossy, and durable finish. Enamel paint is available in both water-based and oil-based varieties, so be sure to select the right type of enamel paint for your project. Water-based enamel is easier to work with and dries faster, while oil-based enamel lasts longer and gives the surface a smoother, luminous texture.

Before applying enamel paint to wood, it is important to prepare the surface by sanding it with fine-grit sandpaper. This will smoothen the surface and remove any ridges or uneven elevations. Once the surface is smooth, apply a layer of primer. The primer will fill any small holes in the wood, creating a uniform surface for the paint to stick to. Choose a primer colour that matches your enamel paint and avoid using a darker shade.

When applying the enamel paint, use a premium-quality natural-haired brush to maintain uniformity in the orientation and thickness of each brushstroke. Wet the tip of the brush with the right amount of paint before application, and apply the paint with even strokes. Avoid soaking the brush with too much paint. Allow the coat to dry for a week before applying a second coat of paint. If the ring will be subjected to heavy usage, consider applying a third layer of paint.

In addition to enamel paint, you can also use food-safe finishes such as oil, film, or wax to seal and protect the wooden wedding band. These finishes will give the ring a shiny, glossy appearance while also being safe for skin contact. Mineral oil, tung oil, and walnut oil are all food-safe options, but keep in mind that they may need to be reapplied more frequently. Beeswax and carnauba wax can be used as a final coat to add extra protection and water resistance to the ring.

Frequently asked questions