Hand cutting name rings

[made4udesigns]

I am looking for any type of instructional books and a list of tools to learn the art of making name rings.  I've seen the craft done and feel that I can successfully achieve the same results, but I need to know how to start the process.  If anyone can point me in the right direction, you help would be appreciated.

[Polly]

I'm familiar with (but can't make) gold wire names, and I've done engraving (engraving teenager's and children's names on jewelry at state fairs), but am not familiar with the type of name rings that you are looking to make.

Perhaps if you can give a few more details about what these name rings look like, or are made of, I might be able to point you in a good starting direction?

--Polly

[made4udesigns]

Polly:

Thanks for your reply.  A finished ring can be seen at www.nameonaring.com.  I requested info from them, but they have yet (after 2 weeks) replied.

I have searched everywhere and I know there is something out there somewhere as to how I go about doing this craft.

Any help you can provide would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks again.

Jacki

[Polly]

Ah yes, I can see why they wouldn't give away their recipe '>

It looks like they use some kind of combination of Dremel or Foredom tools (for drilling out center spaces, beveling edges, and buffing everything when done) and perhaps a small jeweler-size jigsaw.  And lots and lots of practice.  Each letter looks hand-formed, rather than created from a template or a wax carving.  

I've only used a jigsaw once, about 20 years ago, and I might be barking up the wrong tree with that idea, because it was for cutting all the way through an item (making puzzle piece shapes, like the cut quarters also on their site.  And it looks like they use a traditional jeweler's hand saw for that, rather than an electric jig saw.  More portable, and much less expensive, but also more work).

Here are examples of the base Dremel and Foredom jeweler-size tools I'm thinking are used.
You would probably need a couple of different add-on tips, and probably Dremel or Foredom could help you choose the right tools if they aren't already included in the base kit.

 --Polly

[Metalman]

I looked at the website you mentioned.  There would be two traditional ways to make such a ring, and one new materials method .
Traditional Methods:
Piercing:  You would use a jeweler's saw and cut the name out of flat sheet in the metal you choose.  This could then be soldered on to a second sheet of metal [silver or gold] and then formed into a ring, soldered again and finished out.
Casting:  You could build/make/carve the ring out of jeweler's wax [there are a number of types] and then cast or have them cast. THis is called the lost wax method.
NOTE: Both of these methods would be be explained in a book called "The Complete Metalsmith" by Tim McCreight [R&T# 62-010]
The 3rd method would be to use Art Clay Silver.  This method
has a lower skill curve then the others, and will require a smaller tool investment. Hope this helps

[made4udesigns]

Thank you for all of your input.  I seen a woman at a festival actually do this.  She took a brass, silver, or gold band and actually hand saw the names into the band.  She then used some sort of of polishing technique to get rid of the rough cut edges.  I missed the part where she put in the center parts of the letters and whatevers.  I just wish I new how to find the proper name for the art and maybe some instructions.

[Polly]

Hi Jacki,

The few people I've met who did this type of work, taught/learned it one-on-one, master-to-apprentice.  They did not have any written instructions, or if they did, they kept them private.

However, if you master some of the techniques that Metalman mentions, especially the ones covered in the Tim McCreight book, you would be well on your way to being able to make the name rings.  You would then just need to perfect your letter-shaping, but would have the metal-shaping skills in general.

--Polly

[marym]

Sorry I don't know the specific name of this design technique either- however, I think your're well on your way simply by knowing the name of this type of artist... a Metal smith.

Check out this book:
The Complete Metal smith.  Then check into some of your local art schools and colleges for a metals class or jewelry making class.  Once you have the road paved, you'll be driving in no time.  There are no doubts that a few techniques exist that a metal smith could use to accomplish this type of design. With enough research, learning and practice you may come up with your own private recipe.  Good luck!