Daily Wire Tip Feb. 8: Ring Making Mandrels

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 8, 2011

Question:

Dale, I get so much out of all your videos and information, thank you. I have recently got interested in making rings. The only problem is that I have looked nearly everywhere for a ring mandrel and can’t find one. Is there a way to make a ring without it? I’ve tried dowels, but can’t seem to get the right fit. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m having a really hard time. Thanks so much for your help.

-Dolores in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

Answer:

Hi Dolores, glad to be of service! You really can’t make a ring to ‘fit’ by using a dowel (unless you have a really large dowel collection in a variety of sizes!). Wire-Sculpture carries several different ring mandrels, found under Tools » Mandrels, as well as ring “sticks” and ring sizers, under Gauges.

Just be sure you get the ring mandrel you need! We had a good discussion with regards to the different types of ring mandrels available, you might want to check it out before you make a purchase, click to read Ring Mandrels 101. And if you can’t find what you are looking for here, check out The Jewelry Tool Shop. Just keep practicing and have fun!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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6 Comments

1. 

   DeLane

   February 8, 2011 at 10:13 am

   Dolores, please keep in mind, too, that one ring mandrel has a wide variety of sizes on it. So this is a good investment if you are going to do rings. Custom-made rings will require making the ring to the proper size, and the ring mandrel will be your best bet for a good fit.
2. 

   Gina

   February 8, 2011 at 12:37 pm

   Do yourself a favor and buy a steele mandral. Don’t waste your money on a plastic one.
   • 

     dalecgr

     February 8, 2011 at 9:02 pm

     I totally agree Gina, as a plastic one is actually a ring ‘stick’, most often used to find the size of a ring that is already made.
3. 

   Tracey

   February 8, 2011 at 6:43 pm

   Hi Dolores,

   I now have a stainless ring mandrel, that I bought from WS. Before my investment, I used marker pens, of all different sizes. The most common ring size seems to be a size ‘7’, for this I used an Artline marker pen. You need something that is a fraction smaller than your average lipstick case.
   I hope this helps whilst you await your mandrel.
   Kind regards,
   Tracey.
4. 

   judith

   February 9, 2011 at 1:15 am

   I found an aluminum mandrel on e-bay I have health issues that make it hard to lift and hold my steel mandrel so this has been a God send.
5. 

   mary

   February 9, 2011 at 11:08 am

   Investment in a ring madrel is a must and a steel one for sure. I have issues holding a ring mandrel so one item I found and invested in was a half-madrel with a stand to it. By using this, both my hands are free and I can work on a ring with ease.