You Are Being Taught The Wrong Way! - How To Correctly Make A Ring Round

If you are taught the wrong way then you will teach the wrong way. This film addresses the problems associated with shaping rings prior to soldering. Books are telling you the wrong way. Check out this film to see the reason why and ways to get that ring round prior to soldering so your solder joint does not crack.
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Andrew shows you many hints and tips that he has gained from his experience as a professional goldsmith.
Andrew Berry, a professional jeweller for 30 years, is the training director of www.AtTheBench.com, an award winning on line jewellery training website.

[@stevesatow]

The way he describes is Jewelry 101 any book that tells u to make it flat at the joint is an just wrong. I was formerly trained in a trade school in 1976. I have done over 400,000 repairs , fabrications and CAD designs. I have trained hundreds of professional jewelers on Setting, Bench Tricks, Tool Modification and Laser Welding. The time it takes him to do these videos is incredible. He is sharing the rite way to do stuff for free. Take advantage of his generous sharing of his expertise. There are many shortcuts ( Bench Tricks ) that professionals have developed over years of doing repairs and fabrications. Also new tools like the PEPE bender have been developed to save bench time. Again take advantage of his sharing of his precious time to share his expertise with u. Also the left over curved shank material makes ideal sizing material for future sizing jobs. Steve Satow , Master Jeweler, Certified Master Laser Welder Trainer

[@Atthebench]

steve satow Thank you Steve 👍🏼

[@sirfartsalot1328]

I'm slowly getting into jewelry. Been home refining for quite some time now, but my interest has grown into making and repairing my own jewelry. You guys are awesome and I thank you both for you knowledge sharing.

[@rainhillpk]

I'm a newbie , what di you mean 'left over curved shank material makes ideal sizing material for future sizing jobs.'

[@flowerpower7389]

Great tips from a fellow Welsh person. Thank you I've learned so much. :)

[@fantastiqueberliotz1209]

Not sure about our cousins across the pond, but in the US we have a saying: "Work smart, not harder." I can't think of a better example of that than what you demonstrated in this video. Ignore the naysayers. This makes 'perfect' sense and thank you for cluing the rest of us in.

[@Gizmo46953]

Very few of these college "professors" have worked in the field they are "teaching". Half of the courses are a waste of time & money. Most of us that work in these fields are more than happy to help the beginners. Always nice to see how somebody else does it. Your never so good that you can't learn something.

[@sheriobrien3000]

This video was a game changer for me! I am a 3rd year student and started using your method. It’s amazing. Crazy how some instructors continue to say that it doesn’t matter about the shape. Or they spend so much time filing the end to get a good seam to solder. This has made such a difference when making thicker rings. Thank you, thank you, thank you Andrew❤️

[@vlrissolo]

THANK YOU!!!! I am a beginner and with thick silver, and a small ring, I've been struggling to round out the ring...this makes much more sense!

[@rainhillpk]

same

[@lisabeyer4712]

I really appreciate that you showed the last option with common tools. Can’t wait to try it!

[@belinda4934]

This video has made my day. At my first class in ring making we were told to cut the metal to the exact size on the ring chart. I wasn’t happy with how my ring looked at the join and now I can see why. This method has helped me see my teacher’s method wont be my method moving forward.

[@kenliu808]

It is 7 yrs. since you made this video. I want to say thank you for all the tips you have given us. Mahalo nui loa!

[@katesimons8545]

Eureka! I have just spent hours struggling to make my first perfectly sized ring using the mis-shapen technique my college tutor demonstrated. I wish I'd seen this demonstration first. So logical, so simple. Thank you Andrew.

[@modelboxca]

Swiss made ring bending pliers are a quality cost effective alternative to the bench top ring benders you demo in your video. One of the best investments I've made.

[@erictindall5807]

Link please or brand?

[@Tom-Lahaye]

I learned this method from the start when I did the course, and it works so much better. When I have enough stock material, I leave in one lenght, if not too overly long to handle. Then after forming one end with the mallet you have enough leverage at the other, longer end to simply ply it around the mandrel with your hand, if your hand strenght is enough in relationship with the thickness of the wire, annealing before bending will make it easier. For the flat wide ring I would not overlap the ends in a spiral shape, but form one end round first by hammering it on the mandrel. Because the metal is thinner it more easy to form the bend right to the end, allow for a bit of cut off on that end, then you can use a steel hammer on that end, which will get the bend more easily right to the end. That part will be marked and flattened out a bit, but it's cut off anyway, don't use the steel hamer on the "good" part of the ring. Doing so will enable you to bend the metal round on top of itself, keep on shaping untill the marks line up, and saw trough both layers in one cut , you will have 2 ends which will close up perfectly. After cutting the waste off gently push the ends with your fingers so they align without height difference, and solder. After soldering minimal reshaping will be needed, pushing the ring on the mandrel twice from both sides will be enough in most cases to make it perfectly round.

[@ceesteven]

Was having difficulty with a join on a St silver ring I made from high dome strip. This is my first ring ever. Watched your videos a thousand times to see where I was going wrong but I just couldn’t get that silver solder to flow properly. Redoing over and over. I was using Handy Flux because the borax I ordered was taking a while to arrive. Anyway, it turns out, the borax and dish arrived so I tried it immediately. Perfect join. When it flowed, the first thing I thought of was you at your work bench giving instruction saying “look at that, a perfect lovely join.” Not sure why I was unsuccessful with the other flux but at this point I’m calling it resolved. I must have cleaned that ring joint a dozen times trying to get it to work. Thank you so much. If it wasn’t for you, my ring would be 4 sizes too small by now.

[@bfflorida2311]

I don't make jewelry, but I designed many complex components for industrial applications... What you explained is most logical approach with fewer steps and errors.. So.. less stress, less scratches, less effort, less time, less errors more accurate results, more productivity.. Do I need to continue... Great job.. First time on your channel and you got yourself new sub...👍👍👍

[@Q-ed9dc]

Another lesson wonderfully explained in such a way that even I got it. You make it seem so simple. Thank you, Mr. Berry. Blessings to you and your's.

[@honeydewclub2136]

I'd seen this method before but hadn't understood why you would use it, particularly as it meant 'wasting' some metal. It now makes so much more sense!

[@TalismanShops]

Thank you! I'm a beginner, and saw a video telling to start with the oval and flattened middle JUST yesterday. Since it was on the internet, I of course didn't employ critical thinking; just figured they were the experts, and glad to have that knowledge....

[@flyingcheff]

It's SOOO refreshing to see you (or anybody) challenging old "myths" that honestly don't seem to work (well). Thank you! I am paying attention!

[@kwixilver]

I love this new way you are teaching to cut rings to size!!!! I've been doing silver for over 30 years and love learning new techniques. This one will surly become a habit for me! Thanks for a great video!

[@MrMairu555]

Just stumbled upon this video and I'm astounded that making "oval" rings is even a thing! I served my apprenticeship under a master jeweller back in the 80s, and the only way ever taught was by hand with the "size stick" (metal mandrel) and hammer. It didn't matter how heavy the silver or gold (or even platinum) band was, it had to be formed by hand, and it had to be round!

[@lexrex3]

I just use bow closing pliers lined with copper. But I wouldn't mind having the first ring bender with the plastic dies.

[@MrMairu555]

@@lexrex3 It's a bit of kit, I suppose, but hell... where's the craftsmanship in that? The only thing we were ever allowed to hold in the vice were draw plates, for making wire.

[@Robtronicity]

I pull the wire around a mandrel, overlapping the ends, then trim the ends at the same time with a piercing saw. Line up the ends and run the saw through the mated ends to ensure a perfect fit. Pull together with binding wire to ensure a tight fit and hard solder. In my experience a properly made solder joint will stand a great deal of hammering so long as the piece is properly annealed... certainly enough to shift a ring a couple of sizes. Quick, simple and no costly kit needed:-)

[@MrMairu555]

@@Robtronicity I had to form the shank by hand, but was then allowed tap it round with a mallet, but wasn't allowed to initially form on the shape around the ring stick. I don't know why, but I'm sure the boss had his reasons! We weren't allowed to use binding wire, so had to ensure the metal was properly annealed, and consequently that any joint(s) weren't under compression and didn't distort under heat of the flame. (Particularly important when replacing partial/whole shanks.) Mitring the ends was done the same way as your described. Not saying our way was the best way, but I feel it was a far more precise and skillful way of doing things.

[@Robtronicity]

@@MrMairu555 MrMairu555, I am not a professional smith and I acknowledge that your training and practice are more correct. As with many disciplines s there are methods that encourage sympathy with the materials used and provide insight when applied to other procedures. Binding wire can leave marks and cause unwanted solder flows so I can understand your mentors approach. I work with a small set of tools and I doubt that I could match you for speed or finish. Thank you for your reply.

[@Aclarke32]

I am about to start soldering for the first time. I watched a Susan Thomas video before this video and was about to do the “D” method. I am SOOOO GLAD I FOUND YOU! It makes perfect sense that the “D “ method would only put stress on the joint- THANKS SO MUCH ANDREW- I am a new fan!

[@alexmartin9889]

This is brilliant I learnt with the "D shape way" and I'm not the best as sawing straight so always have to file down and therefore waste silver. I've tried this way and I'm so pleased with the result and obvious time saving!!!

[@brentnicol6391]

I subscribed two days ago. This is the best online teaching. Thank you very much.

[@lanehartwell]

20+ years ago I took a ring making course at a community college and this was how the instructor told us to do it. Over the years I have never seen anyone do this, always the D shape, so I thought maybe I had remembered incorrectly. But the first rings I made in that class had beautiful, practically invisible solder seams, and so much handmade jewelry I have purchased over the years has had ugly, gappy very visible solder seams. I'm starting up again making jewelry and I can't wait to test this method again and make some beautiful rings.

[@joshpankratz4434]

Hi, I have a question. I’d like to make a ring like this for my girlfriend.. do you know where I can find a video that shows the step after the step in this video?(connected the disconnecting edges of the metal).

[@elisazulueta9535]

Thank you Andrew for showing the right way of cutting the ends of the ring, surely I will apply this technique to my next project.

[@aliceryan3399]

Thanks so much! It never really made sense to me to misshape first then reshape. Who needs more work? This is very helpful info & I'm looking forward to the follow-up. Keep the good stuff coming, please!

[@argentorangeok6224]

I've found a new favourite crafting channel.

[@deloreanjewelleryviv3593]

2 layers of insulation tape on the outside of the silver strip or wire, one on top of the other so double thickness , run Stanley knife around edge , the un protected surface goes against the round post in your bending jig and the tape prevents all the damage apart from the tiniest marks on the outer edges. Also if you are doing something like a cigar band that is tapered , once shape has been pierced out , put it back inside the original strip & tape them together as above , it makes it easier to prevent ring curling upwards and overlapping. Nice videos , i have been doing similar to your instructions for 40 years , joints seldom fail especially if a piercing saw has been passed through the joint a few times to guarantee two perfectly mating surfaces before soldering.

[@water-sorb7899]

I use super thin urethane to stop that.

[@raulverdugo4207]

I’ve always been told to make my ring perfectly round perfectly sized before I solder I don’t understand these other teachings by the way, I love your videos😊

[@woodndrum303]

Great advice and helped me to succeed, progress past a problem I was simply avoiding because of “failure”

[@ValerieWhittington]

Wow, I needed this from day one... thanks a million Andrew!!!

[@sjur2108]

I love your calm and detailed way of making things totally clear. Well, you might overdo it in a few videos ... Far better than useless scratches of the surface when you want to understand, and be given enough confidence to try yourself.

[@Daviddickson]

I've never heard of starting off with a flat or elliptical as shown. Just doesn't make sense. This was a good tutorial video showing various ways of getting the job done the proper way. Well done. I've never had the ring benders in my home shop, but use the ring bending pliers with the jaws sanded and smoothed a bit and taped to aviod marking the metal.

[@indysmith4437]

Great guidance, Andrew! All makes perfect sense.

[@maybingham]

This technique is wonderful. It makes sense! Wondering if it could be done with bezels because I have the same problem .... and I end up with a bezel that is a size smaller. Thank you soooooooo much, Andrew.

[@gisella1350]

Thank you, so glad that you are sharing your knowledge, I am soaking it all up. I am a beginner at this craft, such good advice.

[@susane945]

What an excellent tutorial! And I like your sense of humour too!! Lol 😊👍🌸💮

[@amccaffrey1443]

I love your videos Andrew! I learn so much from you! I’m “self-taught” and in the beginning stages of my silversmithing journey. I just have one qualm with this video, and that is you don’t spend much time demonstrating how to shape a ring with the half-round pliers. At this point all I have for ring shaping are the half-round pliers, ring mandrel, rawhide & nylon mallet. With the endless supply of tools and equipment in jewelry making/smithing, I just didn’t feel the ring bending equipment was crucial at this point. Perhaps you can point me to another video where you demonstrate using the half round pliers to shape a ring? Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated! 🙏🏼 Kindly, Andrea

[@susantheobald6926]

Very useful help after a gap in making, thanks.

[@emilycarmany8600]

I am having a private lesson for free from an expert which I may repeat at will.....amazing!!! Thank you a million times Sir.

[@hosannaliving]

Really nice video! I really hate those U shapes and trying to round it out later. This helped me so much!!

[@patricktheplantguy]

thank you so much for this mate i was very concerned as to why i was being taught to make an oval or D shape shank and then form a circular ring this makes alot kore sense im really happy i saw it very early in my jewellery career i love watching your work thank you for making it

[@ElinHaugan]

I've been thinking of purchase a pro bender, but after watching this video, I can clearly see I wount as the best result actually came from the cheapest equipment (which I allready have) 😅 Thank you 🙏

[@ctgardener6026]

Thank you for clarifying this. I was always wondering which is the proper way to shape and solder rings!

[@aimeedomash7414]

You are right... I'm sure all the books I have teach the D shape method. This does make more sense! Thank you!!!

[@MissRockaDily]

Thanks Andrew! This is beautiful. I love your determination and your passion. It's definitely contagious and inspiring. I'm a big fan from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷!!

[@jenniferedwards7095]

This has completely changed and improved my methods for creating hoops & rings.

[@maxfurz]

you're a genius Andrew, big thanks from a swiss fan :)

[@54joon]

You inspire me with yr enthusiastic way of sharing yr ideas. Thanks a lot

[@furdixon3789]

This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you!

[@johns3196]

That was absolutely brilliant I am just starting out learning how to do these things and I have seen so many KZbin videos showing the wrong way I am so glad that I have stumbled across your videos I love them thank you so much and keep doing them please

[@terrisidell7041]

I have seen this method being demonstrated making PMC rings, and wondered why. They would take the metal clay and lap it over rather than side to side. Looking forward to your video next week on getting the edges to meet. Thanks so much for taking the time to create the video.

[@burgorly]

Dear Andrew, Thank you so much for this video, you made it so clear and understandable. It's a great lesson.

[@oliviamedina2591]

Thank you for making this video on making rings in half the time. I love making jewelry with silver and I want to learn how the create different styles of jewelry. I'll be looking at more of your videos.

[@winterdreams274]

Thank you for the clarity you have provided with this tutorial.

[@lsmerza]

Huge THANK YOU. I have fighting with that other method for a short while and was getting so frustrated. Thank you again Andrew for these videos, making my jewelry making enjoyable again.

[@lorrainesanderson573]

THANK YOU, I have been taught the weird 'D' shape in order to solder rings and I never get the correct size! I am going to try your technique as it seems to make so much more sense. I love your videos, your style of teaching is spot on in my opinion x

[@larybailey8656]

GREAT VIDEO!!! Thank you Andrew. Lary

[@bebesBlume]

Great video / explanation Andrew. I am currently studying jewelry making and this is exactly what I was thought, make an oval then shape it round. Your explanation makes total sense to me and this is what I will do next time. Thanks!

[@susansjewelsofthesea]

Appreciate your tutorials. I can feel confident moving forward using your detailed explanations. Thanks so much!

[@christinecole9694]

This was so helpful.....I have struggled for so long with the oval shape, hammering it gently after soldering to get it round and often "misshaping" it so it becomes wiggly. This advice is great and so logical....why did I not think of it! That's always the best advice when after being shown we can say that. Andrew thanks for sharing 😀👌

[@wonbadood8243]

Christine Cole ...and your finished ring may finish a larger size due to stretching. When making rings, I usually make a coil of 3 or more on the ring mandrel by just holding the end of the wire firmly with my thumb and wrapping the wire around at a smaller diameter than I need. Then I hammer the flat bit to round and push the coil up near to the size that I want. Considering such small amounts of metal needed for rings, I'd always make a back up anyway. Andrew is getting 10 mm of scrap from 75 mm of wire. That's 13% scrap. I'm not criticising his method. He's dead right if you just want to make 1 ring.

[@rennydesigns]

Excellent information! You have changed the way I will make rings in the future. This takes away a lot of worry about my work holding it's shape and solder. Thank you!

[@erictindall5807]

Thank you for showing mandrel method, finally seen it!

[@TheArtOfMetalsmithing]

Great video and tip!! :) To be honest, this is actully the way I've learned how to make rings, however I've been using both ways, depending on a project. This way the join is definitely much cleaner and easier to close properly

[@husseinal-tamimi3760]

Really great video ... I wish you success in your work ... Thank you very much

[@alfredadavis5569]

Very well presented and easy to follow.Having found your video I believe I'm on a winner in regards to my new hobby.Thanks a lot.

[@emilypulskamp375]

Thanks for this clever method and deep detail about the process. I've always wondered about these joins on thicker bands, and how the angle at which you file the ends affects the stress on the join during forming. You had me at "brute force and ignorance" (my two greatest natural talents).

[@elisazulueta9535]

Your video was very helpful for me, thank you so much, I learned the old fashion way of making ring, I’m going to try your way next time.

[@lizaker8408]

Fantastic, I've been making jewelry for a long time and had no idea it could be this easy. When will we see the next one on soldering.

[@Lilione111]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who does it this way & doesn't think the other way makes sense to me to weaken the join from shaping after. I know a teacher who teaches the flat way in an advanced solder class! She is excellent except on this one point.

[@giorgiodeste8023]

Absolutely true. Thank you for sharing

[@sooranahmd6207]

Thank you for this great lesson. I am from Iraq and I'd like to be good in making jewelry. Your videos help me so much. Thank you Andrew.

[@caroljohnson7058]

Great information, thank you so much. I saw a woman make a ring where she overlapped and rather than cut at that point she just soldered it to the bottom of a cabishon base. Is that good practice?

[@shineypenny]

what you have shown everyone here-it just simply makes SENSE. Others who happen to disagree- well. let them! and let them them also work twice as hard and do twice the work, too!

[@michaelmuise9653]

Awesome...Awesome Awesome Video Andrew.. I am going to be training in jewelry making and I want to learn the right way..

[@HaveAGr8Dive]

This saved me! I was making a ladies ring out of 8mm wide high dome half round wire and kept getting the wrong size. Tried Andrew's method once and it came out exactly the correct size first time. Why are we even taught any other way???

[@LarryDallas]

I want to thank you for your videos and I have done it with the thicker metal, I will try using your method on the 1 mm wire.thanks again for the info Larry Dallas

[@mickeysnax5399]

This video earned you a new subscriber. Thanks for sharing that.

[@sandraattard319]

Thank you for sharing your expertise with us, its been so very helpful. As I am new to this practice, I would find it very helpful to note the tools used in notes. Either way, much gratitude.

[@adiem1653]

Again i'm learning so much - cheers

[@leeloobon5281]

Thank you for making all of your videos, Andrew. They are very detailed, smart and useful. Your way of explaining things it's as simple and clear as I need in order to learn. Thank you again, you're great!

[@kurtstory9466]

Brilliant video and great explanation why I should make curved joints! I'm just learning how to make a ring, and I will use this technique from the start--thank you!

[@carolandallynfaith7589]

Brillant. I am going to try this tomorrow. I am looking forward to making rings faster and making a perfect joints.

[@itssooty]

Wow! I knew that there had to a reason why I still have my materials at the ready.....but didn't do it!!! It never made sense to me to create my ring that way. Thank you so much!

[@GoodCitizen.1]

Awesome video. Thanks a lot!

[@pennywatson9803]

Andrew you are awesome! I love the fact that you take the time to explain and show us how to do it properly! Thank you 😂

[@lettywilde4562]

Thanks for the tips Andrew. Great job.

[@pennylynn1111]

You are awesome.and just have so much knowledge. ..and I have learned so much from you....I just made a circle...just to play around and my goodness.....so much easier...thank you for teaching us.....I have subscribed to your channel...and know I will become a better artist.....

[@gilsad2]

Great video, thank you. Trying to get my head round whether this method will work for a wide chunky band? 17mm wide?

[@DaveSkor01]

Absolutely spot on... thank god I was taught the correct way first all those 35 years ago!

[@nishapostlethwaite-nishaha4020]

Bang on brilliant as always

[@flyingcheff]

Andrew, excellent video and great point. I DO have a couple of questions on the this; 1) How is possible that a capillary action join, done well can be so weak that forming it can separate it that easily?And, 2) Once soldered, the metal is thoroughly annealed and should be easily able to absorb stresses, like forging, forming, planishing, etc. It seems extreme to think that a good join, well annealed would again be so weak as to snap with simple mild (with a rawhide mallet) forging/shaping which is exactly what making the ring round would be doing. Those questions posed, my guess is that you've considered this and that the extra thickness of the metal in your scenario changes the physics so much (in comparison to the thinner material), that an entirely different method is required. I am fascinated with this subject, thank you for a great video!

[@mynameisben123]

Soldering doesn’t necessarily melt the base metal so there is still a line of weakness

[@BlueLineofthesky]

Great video. very informative. A while ago I bought a bending pliers for rings with parallel jaws and boy that was a mistake. This bending pliers suppose to bend ring shanks, especially ring bands but it will mar the surface a lot. So, now I work traditionally with half round pliers or with steel mandrel and rawhide mallet. I hope I will gather money to buy a Durston device.

[@johannesmichel7279]

Thank you!! Great video!👏

[@Tinbkoxjewels]

Thank you, this method is going to save a lot of time.

[@flyingcheff]

That said, I'm sure your method makes a far more beautiful join and far less work in clean up! That's enough to make ME change my ways!

[@4ninesfinesilver315]

Hello Andrew this is the first of your videos that I’ve ever seen I really loved it and made it easy to understand and give me more confidence thank you subscribed.👍

[@SoleilMagica]

I tried it yesterday and as I’m still new to the whole metal smithing game, this was much harder than it looks lol. Even after sawing like shown in the video, the ends were still not perfectly flush. Maybe I need to practice my sawing more. I ended up filing at it more than I should have.

[@CB-68-westcreations]

Thank you for pointing this out. Now I can share this with a friend whom Ive tried to tell this exact thing to. But because their book said otherwise, I was wrong. Its Very frustrating to see that sloppy technique being taught. I made a similar tool for my bench too. A mandrel with holes and slots works well too. But the press tool is easier for most people to use.

[@coralaisly]

Don't you just love that? "Hey! I found a better way!" "But the book says..." "Yeah, but this works better!" "No. The book says..."

[@CB-68-westcreations]

EmeleeArsenic. Exactly! I'm surprised that the people who cant think , actually create anything. Or do they just copy the rest of us?

[@brianburnette6799]

You might think about a video for repairing the broken silver solder joint on rings. I do a lot of metal detecting and most silver rings are broken . Well at least in the areas where winters are harsh. Can I reheat the solder joint and hope the solder will re solder its self?

[@williamiannucci2740]

Thank you very much and God bless you.