Seamless Copper Ring

This is a fast project but you can make it look really good with a little practice.

I would use a copper coin and a mandrel if I had a mandrel, but I do not have one so I have to use copper that is already the correct size. If you have a mandrel I recommend looking for another ring instructable that uses one.

The results of this project were pretty good, although it is very important with copper that you correctly protect it with nail polish or similar.

If you find this profect helpful, please feel free to vote for it in the Jewelry contest! :D Thanks

Now let's begin!

Step 1: You Will Need:

This ring is made from copper, so you obviously need some copper! The copper I used was from a broken refrigerator, part of the cooling element was a copper tube with two pointed ends, about 12 cm long. It looked like this: " <===> " if that helps.

I recommend buying a copper tube from a hardware store since I doubt everybody who wants a ring has a broken fridge, and it should also be of a better quality.

The size of the piping is important if you, like me, do not have a mandrel. The pipe I used was diameter 21 mm on the outside and 19 on the inside. Measure your finger first and calculate the diameter of it by measuring the circumference and dividing that by 3.14. Add a millimeter to this number and you have the inner diameter of your desired tube/ring.

Once you have this copper tube, you will need the following tools:

- Sandpaper
- A hand file
- A dremel tool (very useful!)
- Something to polish it with (I used the dremel with a felt attachment)
- Laquer or polish or something similar to coat the ring and protect it
- A hacksaw
- A vice (not necessary but very handy)

Let's begin!

Step 2: Cut the Ring

Pretty straightforward, clamp the tube in a vice and saw a ring off one end. This ring should be about 5 mm long, but you do not need to be too consistent with the hacksaw because you can straighten off the edges in the next step.

Be careful with the sharp edges of the freshly-cut ring. Do NOT try it on your finger! You may not be able to take it off without hurting yourself with the edges.

Step 3: Clean It Up

Use a dremel tool, or some flat sandpaper on a block, to take off the excess pieces of metal sticking off the ring from cutting. Then sand it in a circular motion on a flat block, to make the sides straight and even. Do this on both edges of the ring.

Then, if your pipe was as brown and dull like mine, you may want to use a dremel with FINE sandpaper or just directly use the fine sandpaper on the inner and outer surface of the ring until it looks evenly shiny and smooth all the way round. Round off the edges of the ring to make it safer to put on and take off.
There should be NO sharp parts left on this ring before moving to the next step.

Step 4: Polish It and Try It On!

I used a felt polishing attachment on a dremel for this, but you could equally just use a shirt or some kind of cloth.

Once you get it looking very shiny and smooth, and scratch-free, add some clear nail polish or clear lacquer to it to protect the copper and stop it from oxidizing, which it will do pretty fast if you don't.

Once this dries, try it on! :D

Your ring is complete.