Tools For Making Rings

The Most Important Tools For Making Rings

We often get asked which tools are the most important for our use in the shop and if we have them available for purchase.  This is a list of most of our favorite tools we use daily in the shop.  We are choosing not to sell them ourselves on the website so that we can keep costs as low as possible for our customers.  The following products have links to another website.  We get a commission when you use our links to make a purchase and we appreciate your support!  

Lathes

 

The Best Metal Lathe:   WEN 3455

When we use a lathe: As you can see in all of our videos, a lathe is one of our most frequently used tools for ring making. They are important for precise circular shaping. If you are getting serious about making rings then these are definitely recommended.

Why we like this Lathe: We have several of these in our shop and it is the one that Patrick buys whenever we need an additional lathe. It has an adjustable tool post that allows you to machine the most materials effectively and accurately. The lathe is the most important tool in your ring making arsenal and we recommend getting this lathe if you can afford it. 

 

The Best Budget Lathe:  WEN 3420T + LCM18X 3 Jaw Micro Wood Lathe Chuck

When we use a lathe:  As you can see in all of our videos, a lathe is one of our most frequently used tools for ring making.  They are important for precise circular shaping. If you are getting serious about making rings then these are definitely recommended.  

Why we like this lathe:  If you are looking to save on cost, this lathe will work effectively for making Glowstone and other ring blank based rings.  You need to buy both the 3420T lathe along with the 3 Jaw Chuck so that you can grip your ring mandrels. You will have to get creative if trying to make this lathe work with other types of rings and materials.

Rotary Tools 

  

The Rotary Tool:  Dremel 4000-4/34 High Performance Rotary Tool Kit

When we use rotary tools:  Rotary tools are a great all-around tool for ring making.  They are used for general sanding and shaping of rings.

Why we like this dremel:  This is great for someone who is getting serious about ring making.  It is going to have a better warranty and overall better quality than the cheaper option.  We use several Dremels in our shop as they are a great brand.

 

 

 

The Best Budget Rotary Tool:  GOXAWEE Rotary Tool Kit

When we use rotary tools:  Rotary tools are a great all-around tool for ring making.  They are used for general sanding and shaping of rings.

Why we like this dremel:  This tool is going to do just about everything you need it to do for making rings and other small projects.  It is very affordable and works well for someone who is starting out.

 

 

 

 

The Best Drum Sander Set:   AUSTOR 384 Pieces Drum Sander Set

When We Use a Drum Sander: Drum sanders are great for increasing your speed when you need to do some hand sanding. Generally we use a higher grit to shave down an area quickly.

Why we like this Set:  This s a versatile set that comes with everything you need other than the rotary tool.  There are several different grits of sandpaper, 360 total, plus 24 drum mandrels.  

 

 

 

Sanding and Polishing 

 

The Best Sand Paper Pack:   120 To 3000 Assorted Grit Sandpaper 9 x 3.6 Inch, 36-Sheet

When We Use Sandpaper: Sanding is important for all types of ring making! It is used for smoothing and shaping whether you’re making a ring from raw materials like carbon fiber or one with a pre-made ring blank like a Glowstone ring.

Why We Like This Pack: For a great price you can get every level of grit you will need from your first rough shaving down to your very fine finish.

 

 

 

The Best Belt Sander/The Best Disc Sander:   4" x 36" Belt, 6" Disc Sander

When We Use a Belt Sander:  Belt sanders are a great tool for rough shaping many different materials.  Generally they are used with high grit paper when you need to do some significant shaving.

Why We Like This Belt Sander:  This sander has both a belt and a disc option which add some convenient flexibility.  It is a solid price for someone getting into ring making as a hobby.    

 

 

  

The Best Sanding Belts:  10 Sanding Belts 4-Inch x 36-Inch 60 80 100 120 150 180 240 320 400 and 600 Grit

Why We Like This Pack:  This set matches the size of the belt sander we recommend.  It comes with 10 different levels of grit at a great price.  

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Sanding Discs:   30 Pack Assorted Sandpaper 240/320/400/600/800/1000 Grit

Why We Like This Pack: This is a solid pack of 5 discs per grit to use on your disc sander like the one we have listed above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Buffing Wheel:  POWERTEC BF600 Heavy Duty Bench Buffer, 6-Inch

When We Use a Buffing Wheel:  These are great for the final polish and finish of your rings. Use this with a polishing compound like the one we suggest to give your creations a smooth and shiny final finish.

Why We Like This Buffing Wheel:  We like the double wheel so that you can always have two different grits of compound on your wheel ready to go. The cost is great for a product that will do everything you need it to do.

 

 

 

The Best Polishing Compound Pack:   Drixet 6 Piece Buffing, Polishing & Cutting Compound 4 Oz. Kit

When We Use Polishing Compound: Use this with your buffing wheel to get a final finish on your creations

Why We Like This Pack: This six pack is a great value for 4 oz of product.  They come color coded for you to easily identify which grit you need from course to fine.  The color codes are universal so you can look up the chart online to see what each compound is best used for.  We recommend using the green and white polish in most circumstances. 

 

 

  

The Best Buffing Wheel Replacements:  6 inch Extra Thick Buffing Wheel

Why We Like This Pack:  This is a solid set of 2 additional buffing wheels when you need a replacement.  

 

 

 

 

Drilling

  

The Best Budget Drill Press:   WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press

When We Use a Drill Press:  These are great for cutting rink blanks out of various materials.  We use circular diamond hole saws and wood hole saws to cut through carbon fiber, wood, various metals, etc.

Why we like this Drill Press:  This is a cheap option for getting started.  It should be able to power through most materials.  It is going to be slower overall compared to a more expensive option.  If you're looking to mass produce you will want a higher powered drill press eventually.  

 

 

The Best Drill Press Overall:   WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press

When We Use a Drill Press:  These are great for cutting rink blanks out of various materials.  We use circular diamond hole saws and wood hole saws to cut through carbon fiber, wood, various metals, etc.

Why we like this Drill Press:  This will allow you to power through many rings at a higher speed compared to the cheaper option.  Still an affordable price, should be a great drill press for the majority of ring makers.  You can get into more expensive models, but it is probably not necessary unless you are mass producing.  

 

 

  

The Best Corded Power Drill:  SKIL 6335-02 7.0 Amp 1/2 In. Corded Drill

When We Use a Power Drill:  Drills are a handy tool to have around your home if you don't have one already.  For ring making, you have the option to use a drill in place of a lathe or drill press if you are working on a budget/don't make a ton of rings.  When using in place of those tools, use at your own risk.  It will definitely be more difficult but you can get certain jobs done well if you have the patience and skill.  

Why We Like This Drill:  In general, corded drills are nice when making rings so that you don't need to charge them.  Battery powered drills have their benefits as well but corded are always ready when you need them.  Skil is a great brand and this is a highly rated drill for a good price.  

 

  

The Best Cordless Power Drill:  Makita XFD061 18V LXT Lithium-Ion COMPACT Brushless Cordless Driver-Drill Kit

When We Use a Power Drill:  Drills are a handy tool to have around your home if you don't have one already.  For ring making, you have the option to use a drill in place of a lathe or drill press if you are working on a budget/don't make a ton of rings.  When using in place of those tools, use at your own risk.  It will definitely be more difficult but you can get certain jobs done well if you have the patience and skill.  

Why We Like This Drill:  This is one of the nicest power drills you can own.  It has a large battery and the brushless motor will allow you to keep going for several days at at time if needed.  Makita is arguably the top mass-produced brand of power tools.  You will not have any problems with this tool but it has a great warranty if needed.

 

Additional Important Ring Making Supplies

  

The Best Heat Gun:  Seekone Variable Temperature Control Heat Gun

Applying heat always seems to come in handy in one way or another when making rings! The most common uses would be speeding up the drying process of your resin or super glue.  We also will use a heat gun to help get air bubbles out of our Glowstone rings since they are helpful getting the air to raise to the surface.  

Why We Like This Gun:  This gun is highly recommended on Amazon.  It has a great price for a gun with variable heat control.  It also comes with some nozzle attachments a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty.

 

  

The Best Dust Mask:  3M Dual Cartridge Respirator

When We Use a Dust Mask:  Safety First!  These are very important to keep particles out of your lungs!  You should use a high quality dust filter whenever you are making any type of dust or particles.  This happens frequently when drilling into materials like carbon fiber.  

Why We Like This Mask:  This will get the job done for a good price.  You can get cheap refill filters when you need them too.

 

 

  

The Best Spring Clamps:  Lot of 8-6" inch Spring Clamps - Large

When We Use Spring Clamps:  These are handy when cutting or drilling into raw materials to clamp them in place.  

Why We Like This Set:  This is a good price for the quantity and durability of clamps.  

 

 

 

  

The Best C Clamps:  TEKTON Malleable Iron C-Clamp Set

When We Use C Clamps:  These are handy when cutting or drilling into raw materials to clamp them in place.  

Why We Like This Set:  This is a good price for the quantity and durability of clamps.  C clamps are going to be more secure and flexible than spring clamps.  The drawback is the price if you need many clamps, the spring clamps are cheaper per piece.  

 

 

 

  

The Best Ring Sizing Mandrel:  Solid Stainless Steel Ring Sizing Mandrel Sizes 1-16 Ungrooved and Marked

When We Use a Ring Sizer:  Our ring makers are constantly checking the size of their rings as they are finshing them.  This is important to ensure you are making the size as accurate as possible.

Why We Like This Mandrel:  There are cheaper ones out there which will probably do the trick, but to ensure accuracy we like a stainless steel mandrel.  

 

 

  

The Best Electrical Tape:  Soundoriginal Black Electrical Tape 10 Pack

When We Use Electrical Tape:  We commonly use this on our ring mandrels to better hold rings in place.  It also protects certain materials from scratching or cracking when on the expanding ring mandrel.  

Why We Like This Pack:  It doesn't get much cheaper than this boys!  (and girls)  Any brand should work but this is a great value plus free shipping with Prime.