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Bentwood Ring - The Journey begins

Jimjam66

Chief Battonager
Registered
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Posts
3,775
Location
Basingstoke, Hampshire
It's our tenth anniversary this year and the missus has been hinting for a posh ring. Never one to back away from a challenge, I've decided to try for champagne on a beer budget by making her a bentwood ring.

The plan is to have a walnut band with holly (for dark/light contrast) sides, three stones set along the circumference (4mm/5mm/4mm) in a sterling silver tube setting, and a silver wire inlay around the circumference. Which is all well and good, but I've done NONE of this before ...

:rolling:

So i thought you folk might enjoy the journey with me. First, getting thin enough veneers on the bandsaw - easier said than done. Micro adjustment of the rip fence is non-existent, so when you're getting .9mm and you'd like to get to .6mm ... well, you get the idea! I did alright - got three pieces out that varied in thickness from just over 0.5mm at one end to about 0.9mm at the other:

IMG_1607.jpg

After sanding the thicker side was reduced to about 0.7. Now to boil the SOBs:

IMG_1610.jpg

The pan is a poaching pan I nicked from the kitchen, to the consternation of SWMBO. If this doesn't work I'm in for the high jump! Used a gas hot plate, which took some persuading to get the water boiling consistently but I got there in the end. After about 20mins I took the wet veneers out and wrapped them around a 15mm diameter mandrel. No pics - I was too cold by then! I also made up a mandrel to hold the ring in the lathe chuck - will add that as I go.

Today, my order from Cooksons Gold arrived:

IMG_1496.jpg

Two sizes of Tube settings, 1mm square silver wire, and 28 Cubic Zirconias (Yeah, like I could afford diamonds!). Looks like this bus is rolling - only time will tell where it goes!
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
David I am very interested in your project already I feel inadequate with such thin veneer but look forward to your progress mate.

Peter.:thumbs:
 

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
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Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
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Paul
I just know its going to be something special David and the explanation is super. :thumbs:

OH make two will you and then I'll tell the CMM that I made one :funny::funny:
 

Lons

Fellow
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
4,753
Location
Northumberland
First Name
Bob
Watching this with interest David.

If the veneer isn't up to it, drop me a pm, let me know what you're looking for and I can probably send you some. I have a fair mixture as I used to do marquetry pics many moons ago and built up a varied stock.
 

brody2123

Fellow
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
Posts
3,058
Location
redditch
First Name
Brody
Looking forward to the progress of this David. I love doing things ive never done before. Tis good fun. And if it turns out as well as your pen blanks do, you'll have a winner mate. Good luck sir!:thumbs:
 

Kardav

the PENsioner
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Jan 26, 2014
Posts
1,983
Location
Nottingham north
First Name
Dave
Very interesting project David, have enjoyed reading it so far. Good luck with the rest of it and we all look forward to the next instalment.:thumbs:
 

Buckeye

ペンメーカー
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Oct 15, 2013
Posts
9,697
Location
UK
First Name
Peter
Looks like it will be loads of fun making it.

Peter
 

Gizmo3k

Graduate Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2014
Posts
616
Location
Armadale, West Lothian
First Name
Alan
Hmm, I have a 10th anniversary coming up this year too. According to my research, the appropriate material is Tin.

So, down to Tesco's for a can of beans it is! :bwink:
 
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