Instructions
Ring Flare tool
The ring flare tool is a handy little tool as the name suggests it lets you flare the edge of your ring. While this outcome is achievable without this tool it does bring some major advantages. First and foremost is that with practice it achieves an even finish with far less work from the Jeweller and secondly the results are very easy to reproduce. It is also worth noting that while these are designed for jewellery they can be used for a wide range of objects.
What is included?
This set includes 2 flaring tools each with a separate gradient. This allows for great variety in your finished effect. Alongside them you will find a small spanner this will be handy for using the tool but you may prefer your own if you want something a little larger.
What will you need?
Aside from somewhere to work and an item to flare the only advisable addition is a Bench vice of some description. While not essential and the same affect can be achieved simply with a spanner a vice certainly makes life a lot easier.
Something to Consider.
As always when working jewellery or metal in general, I would advise starting with a few tests. Its always tempting to just jump straight into a project but as the cliché says practice makes perfect. It is also worth remembering that if your band is too uneven the results of the flaring will suffer, so aim to have it as evenly finished as possible.
Using the Tool
Step 1
The first place to start is to get you equipment prepared. By this point you should have your basic band ready. Bare in mind the process of flaring will yield results based on the width of the ring and anything too thin will simply not work at all.
Step 2
Select the flare tool you want to use. This selection will be down to preference as well as the thickness of the ring you are looking to shape. Simply unscrew the tool and remove the first cone and washer.
Step 3
Place the ring over the remaining cone and replace the original cone and washer you removed. Tighten the cones up and the band should fit comfortably between them and not be loose at all. If this is not the case and you are using the shallower flarer it may be worth trying to use the steeper tool.
Step 4
If you have a vice this is when it will come in handy. Place the hexagonal bolt end in the vice and secure it. If no vice is available you will need a secure grip with another tool. It doesn’t matter whether you hold the tool perpendicular or horizontal it will just depend on personal preference. Try it both ways and see what you prefer.
Step 5
Take your spanner and proceed to tighten the nut, keeping the tool secure. The torque will compress the cones and flare the ring. While this is relatively straightforward try to exert an even pressure just to help the finish. It doesn’t really matter if you don’t, but does make the effect slightly easier to achieve.
Step 6
Decide when you have flared the ring enough or if you have reached the maximum point and remove the bolt and cone to retrieve the ring. This should leave you with a nicely shaped ring
Finishing up
If everything has gone smoothly the ring shouldn’t need much else done to it. It may be that you simply need to clean up the inside of the ring with your tool of choice.
Instructions
Clean off grease which protects whilst in shipping.
Place the rollers in the plastic tray provided, graduating them by the cut out in the middle which will help you choose the one you think is most suitable for the ring in question. The base has 3 holes to clamp to a table or in a vice as its easier to use then. This enlarger allows you to roll out the shank (but not the shoulders) stretching the metal and enlarging the shank size.
There are 16 rollers with different profiles, plus the plain one on the stretcher (which is the one you exchange for a profile if you need too).
To change or fit a profile, turn handle anti-clockwise to loosen up, pull out chrome bolt and replace profile with the one of your choice then replace bolt. Fit your ring over the profile, tighten the handle to roll it between rollers but not too tight until you get familiar with use. Now you can turn the whole top of the machine either way and each movement will enlarge the ring shank. Check regular against a ring sizer mandrel or you may well over size. Do not go on to the shoulders.
If you have a few scrap rings practice with them first. You can also use the machine to roll out wire or small strips of metal to make thinner.
Instructions
Ring bender With 2 dies.
Getting set up
Before you get started it is important to know the device and have it properly set up.
1 – Before using your tool make sure the device is in a safe environment and secured the work surface you intend to use it on
2 – Secure the lever to the device.
3 – Select the appropriate die for the ring you would like to bend
4 – Place the die into the device. Make sure to align the die with the shape of the bender.
5 – Using the black screws mounted on the tool you can securely secure the die ready for use.
Using the device
Please remember to always practice with a tool before attempting to work on the final piece! Its better to make mistakes and learn when the failure is not an issue. With your device set up and having established which size is appropriate for your ring you can get started. Gently feed the metal into the device. Doing this slowly and steadily will help ensure an even bend and appealing finish. You should not need to apply a lot of pressure. While feeding the metal into the device begin to rock the bending tool back and forth
using the handle of the device. This will result in the bender pressing the metal into shape against the die. As you feed it through your ring will take shape!
Once you have a ring shape you can remove it from the device. It is common to find that you may need to run it through the machine again to to just tighten up the shape.
General Help
You may find it easier if you first run your metal through a smaller size die then you need. Once you have done this it should run through the desire size a little easier and may help alleviate the metal naturally trying to bend back into into its original position.
If the device is not bending it may be that the metal you are working is too much for the device. Remember this is intended for soft metals and jewellery making. If you try to bend solid steel you will end up damaging the tool at worst and a poorly finished ring at best.