This is the 5 Best Wooden Ring Making Tools. In this post, you’ll learn my five favorite tools to help make the process of ring making so much easier.
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Updated 2023
Wooden Ring Making Tools
There are a lot of different tools that you can use for making wooden rings. However, there are some that clearly stick out as the best among the best, and they are tools that make the process so much easier and more enjoyable.
On its own, a wooden ring is a very small item that really doesn’t require a ton of fancy woodworking tools, or even experience. You can make a wooden ring with a drill, file, and some sandpaper if you really want to.
If you really get into making rings, and you want to take your process to the next level and make it more enjoyable, these are the tools that can really get you there in a great way, and you might end up being a lifelong ring maker.
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I’ll show you everything you need to know coming up in the post, and you’ll be set up perfectly if you add these five tools to your arsenal.
See Also: Essential Wooden Ring Making Tools List
The Wood Lathe
Starting out with the absolute best, if you’re truly serious about making wooden rings, and it’s something that you want to do consistently, and for a long time, then you need to start saving immediately to purchase a wood lathe.
The best part about this is that you really don’t even need to spend a lot of money. A basic mid size lathe, and a chuck are not super expensive. For a few hundred dollars you can have both, and that’s really all you need for making wooden rings.
The beauty of a lathe is in the speed at which you can create rings. This lets you get your reps in faster, and get more feedback from your work faster. In turn, you progressed faster, and your skill goes up much more quickly than making them by hand.
With every ring you make, you’ll learn something as a beginner. When you can crank out 20 of them in an afternoon on the lathe, you’ll learn far more than taking an entire day to sand one by hand.
See Also: 8 Awesome Reasons to Use a Wood Lathe to Make Wooden Rings
Expanding Ring Mandrel
The next tool that you need to get to make ring making truly awesome is called an expanding ring mandrel. Basically this is a little metal tool that looks like a step bit, but it expands with a bolt that’s going through the center.
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Basically what this tool does is it attaches to your lathe with the chuck, and you put your ring blank on one of the steps. After that, you tighten the bolt to grab the blank, and it makes the turning process super easy.
This is the tool that holds your ring blank while you do all of the work on the lathe, and it gives you really good access to all sides so that you don’t have to move around as much. These aren’t very expensive either, and they are worth every penny.
See Also: Top 10 Wooden Ring Making Posts
Ring Sizing Tools
Another great tool to have around is a ring mandrel for checking your size, and a set of rings for sizing your customers. Even the best rings in the world will never be worn if they don’t fit well, and the size is off.
One of the best things you can do for your rings is ensure that they fit your customers really well, and that includes you if you are your first customer.
A ring mandrel and a set of sizing rings are not expensive. It’s a one time purchase that you take care of, it could last a very long time. If you’re into this for the long run, get metal versions as they will be more durable.
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See Also: Sizing A Wooden Ring
Forstner Bits
When it comes to drilling the finger openings in your wooden rings, the Forstner bit is the absolute best choice. This is a drill with a puck shaped head that’s great at making openings with smooth sides.
The bits are also inexpensive, which means you can get the few that you need without spending a ton of money, and they last you a long time. Get a set if you can, because you’ll end up using these bits quite often.
These are easily the best choice when it comes to making your finger openings. It will leave the wood very smooth on the inside, and that means a lot less work for you later. Sanding the inside of a ring is difficult, so the smoother the start, the easier the finish.
See Also: 17 Important Tips on How to Sand Wood
Beall Buffing System
Finally, and second only to the lathe, the Beall buffing system is a way for you to produce and amazing shine on your wooden rings in just minutes, and without any drying time like a traditional finish.
Buffing is a process of abrasion, just like sanding. The only difference is that the grit level is extremely fine, so instead of looking dull, it produces a high sheen. Team this up with an oil finish to start, and you’ll have an incredible finish for your wooden rings.
If you already have a lathe, then I recommend buying the version that attaches to your lathe and uses the headstock to turn the buffs. This will save you from having to buy a motor, since you essentially already have one.
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You can take a ring from sanded form to fully finished in under a minute, so if you’re making rings to sell, this is definitely an investment that’s worth it.
See Also: How to Buff Wood to a High Sheen
People Also Ask
What tools do I need to make wooden rings? Thankfully, you don’t need a lot of tools to make wooden rings. The basic tools are a drill, hand saw, files, and sandpaper. Beyond that, other tools will help you make rings faster or easier, but you can make great rings with just those few tools.
How do you make a ring out of wood? The process for making a ring out of wood is essentially gluing up a thin stack of nicely colored wood, drilling a hole in the center, sawing off the corners, and then filing and sanding to shape before applying a finish.
What do I need to turn rings on a lathe? The big tool that you need to start turning rings on the lathe is a lathe. After that, a chuck with a set of pin jaws to grab the rings from the inside, or a chuck and a ring mandrel that you dan find online. Add in some lathe tools, and you have what you need to make wooden rings on the lathe.
Your Action Assignment
Now that you know these five best tools for making wooden rings, it’s time to get out into your shop and take action. If you are serious about making rings, these are the tools that can really make the process enjoyable for you.
You can make a ring with just about any basic woodworking tools. The big difference is how long it will take you to make that ring, and how enjoyable the process will be. If making rings is your thing, then you should invest in it.
Start with the lathe if you don’t have one, because that’s the ultimate game changer. You’ll never be able to make rings faster, or more uniform than on a lathe.
If you have any questions about ring making tools, please post a question and I’ll be happy to answer them. Happy building.
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