What the best coating for wood rings

[Robert Lindstadt]

So tell what you use to coat wooden rings that you’ve made
Looking for recommendations as I got some blanks to try my hand at wooden rings
Also do you use a metal insert or just cut the wood to the size?

 

[Ron Solfest]

I’ve made a handful of rings from hickory, no metal insert. They are quick and easy to turn.

The first set I finished with poly. Each ring would break after a few weeks (I wear them all the time: while washing hands, showering, working with wrenches., etc.

The next batch I did with epoxy coating. I haven’t broken one of these after months of wearing, but some water did seep into the end grain after 2-3 months causing dark spots. I tried a second and third time with similar results (difficult to get good coating on the edges , a technique issue that surely could be solved, but I haven’t yet).

The last set I used CA for a finish, much easier to apply than epoxy. The ring I’m wearing right now seems to be holding up well with CA a month or two in so far.

Good luck, let us know your experiences.

 

[Robert Lindstadt]

I’ve made a handful of rings from hickory, no metal insert. They are quick and easy to turn.

The first set I finished with poly. Each ring would break after a few weeks (I wear them all the time: while washing hands, showering, working with wrenches., etc.

The next batch I did with epoxy coating. I haven’t broken one of these after months of wearing, but some water did seep into the end grain after 2-3 months causing dark spots. I tried a second and third time with similar results (difficult to get good coating on the edges , a technique issue that surely could be solved, but I haven’t yet).

The last set I used CA for a finish, much easier to apply than epoxy. The ring I’m wearing right now seems to be holding up well with CA a month or two in so far.

Good luck, let us know your experiences.
View attachment 62385

I see they now have flexible ca glue, hmm!

 

[Rick Moreton]

I have done CA glue on a couple wood rings and it did eventually wear out in places after some months. These were veneer/plane shavings rather than turned wood.

 

[David Croxton]

So tell what you use to coat wooden rings that you’ve made
Looking for recommendations as I got some blanks to try my hand at wooden rings
Also do you use a metal insert or just cut the wood to the size?

I made 2 rings almost 4 years ago; -I used stabilized ring blanks and a "comfort fit" metal core and built up the finish with around 12 coats of CA on each. Both rings have held up - no cracks or other damage other than the unavoidable scratches. When they started looking a little dull from the scratches, I gave them a light buff polish to bring back the shine. I think it all depends on how people wear them & how rough they are on jewelry - nothing is indestructible!!

 

[Richard Coers]

If you use exotic woods, you should have some kind of barrier between the skin and the wood. You don't want to sell a ring and have the person get a bad case of dermatitis for a wood reaction.