Comments on: How To Cut Rings on a Wood Lathe Using Custom Tooling

By: Jerry sumner

Jerry sumner — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:30:24 +0000

I was refering to the ring cutter setup that Kenny was describing in the post prior to mine. I believe Ring Master is way over priced for what you get. Thanks

By: Jerry sumner

Jerry sumner — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:58:40 +0000

I would really like to see (ed. – more of) the tool (ed. Kenny) (who commented below) made to cut rings. I would also appreciate it if you could send me detailed instructions on how to set my own rig up. Thank you.

Keith’s Note: Kenny tells me that he’s happy to assist anyone with more information. Contact him at eaton474@yahoo.com.

By: Kenny

Kenny — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:49:24 +0000

As for creating a system to cut the rings, it’s actually easier than one may think and not that expensive either. Yes, the RingMaster does work, and pretty well too. But they cost well over $300, and can be upwards of $500 if you buy accessories and such.

I made my own system which was used on a conventional lathe until I built a simple, purpose built “lathe” to turn the wood and cut the rings. And even now I have less invested than if I had purchased a RingMaster, and in my opinion, I have a better tool.

What I started with was an Enco Phase II cross-slide table which was mounted on a simple platform I fabricated from plywood that attached to my lathe bed. To this I added a tool post designed for use on a metal lathe and made a simple cutter for it. The cutter I started with was just a 1/8″ thick x 1″ wide x 5″ long piece of high speed steel with a parting-tool-type tip ground on it.

The cross slide table provided the precision necessary to cut accurate rings, and by setting the tool-post with a protractor, I could get the proper side angle on the rings as well.

I believe this cost me around $140 total, and also had many other uses on my lathe. I also made a fixture to attach a trim-router to the tool-post, and this gave me the ability to do all sorts of work that simply wasn’t possible before. Watch the videos on YouTube by Capt. Eddie Castelin for some ideas as to what’s possible for other uses when you have a cross slide such as this.

Just post a reply if you want more info and I’ll find a way to get it to you. Though the concept is simple enough that I think most can figure it out without my help. But I’m here if you need it.

Keith’s Note: You can contact Kenny directly at: eaton474@yahoo.com. He says he’s happy to assist with more details on how to construct this tool.

By: kevin rosenfeldt

kevin rosenfeldt — Mon, 03 May 2010 00:24:23 +0000

Great videos. Reminds me of why I started woodworking.

By: Jerry Coleman

Jerry Coleman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:35:07 +0000

For those who are not able to configure a fixture similar to (the fixture in the video); I might suggest they check out the Ring Master which offers the same basic functionality and technique for cutting precise rings for segmented projects. The Ring Master is made in the USA and has been around for 20+ years.

Keith’s Note: At this time, WoodTreks does not offer an opinion (pro or con) on this product.

By: Mark Damron

Mark Damron — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:29:24 +0000

I’m glad you like the videos Larry, unfortunatly I do not make and sell the ringcutter used in this video. I suggest a tool called ring master which has a ring cutting attachment for your lathe and other makes and sizes.

By: Larry Peters

Larry Peters — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:13:13 +0000

These videos are great,especially cutting the rings on a lathe. I have been making stacked ring bowls for about a year, I cut the rings on a 16-42 Jet lathe with a 3/16 parting tool which is not nearly as precise as the tool that Mark Darmon uses. Does anyone out here have an idea how I could make or buy one of these tools?

By: Bruce Pennell

Bruce Pennell — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:32:32 +0000

Thanks Keith for all your hard work and time. Great videos, just starting HF, and want to try segmented work soon. Thanks Bruce
PS everything working great under Ubuntu Linux.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:22:05 +0000

Pete:

I have had a few viewers who have told me they can’t view one or more of my videos. If you are having trouble with playing any video, please try upgrading your “Flash” player first. If that doesn’t solve it, please click on the “report trouble” link located at the bottom of the right sidebar in this page.

By: Pete Passof

Pete Passof — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:40:32 +0000

Maybe it’s my problem but I have tried several times to get your newest video on cutting rings to play with no success. Have others experienced this same problem?