How to Make Your Own Aluminum Rings
Gain access to and learn the proper safe use of a metal lathe in proper running order and good condition., Familiarize yourself with the parts of the lathe and common terminology., Select a piece of aluminum stock that has about a quarter inch of...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Gain access to and learn the proper safe use of a metal lathe in proper running order and good condition.
Bad equipment can cause serious injury. -
Step 2: Familiarize yourself with the parts of the lathe and common terminology.
A good resource for such information is Wikipedia. ,, The metal can be turned on only one point, but only if the piece short enough to not wobble.
Typically, about seven inches is long enough to make several rings, and to allow for some error in work. , This is necessary for a flat end surface to work with.
Center the cutting point of the tool to just barely below center of the workpiece, and lock into the tool rest.
Activate the lathe so that it is turning the metal counterclockwise when looking at it from the right of the stock.
This will feed the metal in the correct direction as to cut it. , Once completed, run the bit directly back out, paying close attention not to make the bit traverse laterally toward the metal by turning the incorrect operation knob.
If you like, you can move the bit away from the stock first, then back it out. , This refers to making the piece spin truly round on the axis.
This is achieved with a tool bit that has been ground to the correct shape for performing the operation on aluminum, you can obtain this information in a metal-working book, or some stores may sell pre-ground bits; when in doubt, contact a professional or a person with experience. , If not, or if you prefer, simply feed it slowly by hand, as evenly as possible.
Set the tool bit at centerline of the stock, and move it to a position a few inches before the end of the stock.
Then you can activate the lathe to turn in the same manner as before.
Don't start the lathe with the tool touching it; feed the bit into the metal just a few thousandths of an inch.
There should be little markings on knob that indicate thousandths of an inch.
Engage the automatic feed or begin feeding it by hand; if the feed is too fast, the surface will look rough after cutting, so slow the feed by shutting down the lathe and adjusting the feed transmission.
Or, just turn the knob slower if you're doing it by hand.
Continue this operation until the desired size is achieved; this can take a while if you want it really smooth.
Once finished, disengage the feed mechanism from the transmission via the switch on the tool-holding assembly. , Or, if you like the flat finish, you can proceed to the next step. , If it does not have a Morse taper on the back, (a locking taper), you will need a keyed chuck attachment to insert into the tailstock.
Once you have the bit, insert it into the tapered tube in the tailstock if it has a Morse taper, or insert the bit into the chuck and put the chuck in the tailstock. , Slide the tailstock into position, with the bit fully drawn back, close to the end of the stock.
Lock the tailstock in place.
Activate the lathe in the same manner as before and slowly feed the bit into the stock, the turning of the workpiece replaces the turning of the drill bit. , Back the bit out and shut down after the bit is clear from the workpiece. ,, Position it for where you want the ring to end.
Follow the parting operation; odds are, once you break through the ring, it will drop into the pile of aluminum leftovers from all the cutting.
Just leave it there for a bit until it cools.
Shut down the lathe or repeat the parting operation on another ring that is bored if you prepared enough metal for another ring. , It might be sort of rough; always check for sharp edges and sand them off.
Now that your ring is complete, wear it around and show it off to your friends; make more with different textures, finishes and designs. -
Step 3: Select a piece of aluminum stock that has about a quarter inch of extra metal on either side when sized up to your finger.
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Step 4: Insert the piece of stock into the chuck.
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Step 5: After chucking up and testing for wobble
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Step 6: select a tool bit for parting.
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Step 7: Once locked and ready activate the lathe
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Step 8: running at a relatively slow speed
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Step 9: slowly feed the cutting bit into the stock and proceed slowly with the parting operation.
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Step 10: Prepare for truing.
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Step 11: If your lathe has an automated feed mechanism
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Step 12: set the tool bit to travel down the stock at a set
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Step 13: smooth speed.
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Step 14: After surfacing the metal
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Step 15: make designs in the metal by manipulating the tool bit on the metal creating grooves
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Step 16: rough spots
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Step 17: or knurling (this requires a specialized tool bit that creates the diamond pattern seen on many tool handles to improve grip and feel).
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Step 18: Find a drill bit that has a shank that is approximately the size of the desired finger.
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Step 19: Move the tool-holding assembly away from the end of the workpiece
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Step 20: but don't run it into the chuck.
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Step 21: Run the bit slowly inward until the desired depth is reached; it should be enough for at least two rings of the size that you want.
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Step 22: Loosen the tailstock and slide it to the end of the rail or remove it to get it out of the way.
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Step 23: Get the bit you used to perform the initial parting operation and position the bit on center line of the workpiece.
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Step 24: Once the ring(s) is cooled
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Step 25: use sandpaper or emery cloth to remove any burrs or to smooth the inside of the ring.
Detailed Guide
Bad equipment can cause serious injury.
A good resource for such information is Wikipedia. ,, The metal can be turned on only one point, but only if the piece short enough to not wobble.
Typically, about seven inches is long enough to make several rings, and to allow for some error in work. , This is necessary for a flat end surface to work with.
Center the cutting point of the tool to just barely below center of the workpiece, and lock into the tool rest.
Activate the lathe so that it is turning the metal counterclockwise when looking at it from the right of the stock.
This will feed the metal in the correct direction as to cut it. , Once completed, run the bit directly back out, paying close attention not to make the bit traverse laterally toward the metal by turning the incorrect operation knob.
If you like, you can move the bit away from the stock first, then back it out. , This refers to making the piece spin truly round on the axis.
This is achieved with a tool bit that has been ground to the correct shape for performing the operation on aluminum, you can obtain this information in a metal-working book, or some stores may sell pre-ground bits; when in doubt, contact a professional or a person with experience. , If not, or if you prefer, simply feed it slowly by hand, as evenly as possible.
Set the tool bit at centerline of the stock, and move it to a position a few inches before the end of the stock.
Then you can activate the lathe to turn in the same manner as before.
Don't start the lathe with the tool touching it; feed the bit into the metal just a few thousandths of an inch.
There should be little markings on knob that indicate thousandths of an inch.
Engage the automatic feed or begin feeding it by hand; if the feed is too fast, the surface will look rough after cutting, so slow the feed by shutting down the lathe and adjusting the feed transmission.
Or, just turn the knob slower if you're doing it by hand.
Continue this operation until the desired size is achieved; this can take a while if you want it really smooth.
Once finished, disengage the feed mechanism from the transmission via the switch on the tool-holding assembly. , Or, if you like the flat finish, you can proceed to the next step. , If it does not have a Morse taper on the back, (a locking taper), you will need a keyed chuck attachment to insert into the tailstock.
Once you have the bit, insert it into the tapered tube in the tailstock if it has a Morse taper, or insert the bit into the chuck and put the chuck in the tailstock. , Slide the tailstock into position, with the bit fully drawn back, close to the end of the stock.
Lock the tailstock in place.
Activate the lathe in the same manner as before and slowly feed the bit into the stock, the turning of the workpiece replaces the turning of the drill bit. , Back the bit out and shut down after the bit is clear from the workpiece. ,, Position it for where you want the ring to end.
Follow the parting operation; odds are, once you break through the ring, it will drop into the pile of aluminum leftovers from all the cutting.
Just leave it there for a bit until it cools.
Shut down the lathe or repeat the parting operation on another ring that is bored if you prepared enough metal for another ring. , It might be sort of rough; always check for sharp edges and sand them off.
Now that your ring is complete, wear it around and show it off to your friends; make more with different textures, finishes and designs.
About the Author
Carolyn Russell
Writer and educator with a focus on practical DIY projects knowledge.
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