| Project by scottb | posted 169 days ago | 370 views | 2 times favorited | 15 comments |  |
 |
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
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
15 comments so far
DAN
home | projects | blog
6435 posts in 874 days
posted 169 days ago
really cool and thoughtful project. fun to read too….
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
FrankLad
home | projects | blog
185 posts in 201 days
posted 169 days ago
These are nice, Scott!
Which Walnut oil did you use?
I’ve been experimenting with Mike Mahoney’s and really like it, as well as Land Ark. Big fan of natural penetrating oils on wooden rings, due to the feel. However, I find most custmers go for high gloss <sigh>.
I’ve started buffing Black Bison on all of my rings as an extra barrier, plus it lends a bit of shine to the ones finished in oil.
Thanks for sharing!
-- Frank, Mississippi, http://www.stoutwoodworks.com
RobH
home | projects | blog
460 posts in 941 days
posted 169 days ago
Great looking rings. If I ever get done with my big stuff I am going to have to try these.
-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA
Grant Davis
home | projects | blog
481 posts in 800 days
posted 169 days ago
Very nice looking pair
-- Grant...."GO BUCKEYES"
scottb
home | projects | blog
3403 posts in 1218 days
posted 169 days ago
Frank, I just use a can I picked up at Trader Joes. I’ll use it for bottle stoppers, and things that’ll come into contact with food, or things I don’t want to apply a film finish on. Should I try bathing these in Walnut oil as you do the Land Ark, or is that a different oil/process?
I don’t really know that much about finishing with oils.
There is a spoonmaker in NH that hand carves his wooden spoons, then cooks them in a restaurant style fryer. I”m sure at low temp. and swears by it with never a split. We have one of his spoons, super smooth to the touch, has held up over the years (granted we take extra special care of the artisan treenware)
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Karson
home | projects | blog
25787 posts in 1292 days
posted 169 days ago
Very nice Scott.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
mtnwild
home | projects | blog
2012 posts in 419 days
posted 169 days ago
Good projects. Fun stuff. Everyone will enjoy. Thanks…..........
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
16540 posts in 468 days
posted 169 days ago
cool rings
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
Russel
home | projects | blog
2056 posts in 830 days
posted 169 days ago
Very impressive. It’s the small stuff that often takes the greatest skill. Fine work, Scott.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
darryl
home | projects | blog
1392 posts in 1218 days
posted 169 days ago
Those look really cool, I’m sure your parents will love them!
-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com
Dick, & Barb Cain
home | projects | blog
7034 posts in 1191 days
posted 169 days ago
Very nice Scott, you’re getting really proficient with the lathe.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
jockmike2
home | projects | blog
7296 posts in 1138 days
posted 169 days ago
Very cool looking rings Scott. Nice lathe work.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
FrankLad
home | projects | blog
185 posts in 201 days
posted 167 days ago
Scott: I use the Walnut oil the same as I do with the Land Ark: I let the items soak in a small cup of it for a while. Usually a couple hours or so.
Again, great job on those!
-- Frank, Mississippi, http://www.stoutwoodworks.com
FrankLad
home | projects | blog
185 posts in 201 days
posted 167 days ago
...and that is interesting about the spoons! I’ve never heard of that method.
-- Frank, Mississippi, http://www.stoutwoodworks.com
scottb
home | projects | blog
3403 posts in 1218 days
posted 167 days ago
yeah, I saw it on PBS. I’ve actually met the guy at the Sunapee craft fair. About the time he did an interview for one of their Craft in America series – or some such. and I was surprised to see my wife and I in the show – just browsing along at the tail end.)
I’m hoping to catch it again, so I can take notes on the process. I think he learned it from someone doing it before he started making spoons, which has been a few decades now if I’m not mistaken.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/