How to use the Durston Ring Shank Bender - Tool Review

Thinking about a Ring Shank Bender by Durston? I have had it in my studio for a little and I am really liking it. You don't have to make rings to use this bending tool. I use it for bezels, earrings, bracelets, bails and so much more. Check out my review and see what you think. Be sure to subscribe: bit.ly/2dyBgwT
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[@lindagerhard8381]

I have been looking at ring bending tools and now I'm sold on this one! I especially like the tip you shared for making bezel corners. The bend is so much cleaner than doing it with pliers where a perfect angle might not be achieved. Thanks so much!

[@MelissaMuir]

My pleasure!

[@lindagerhard8381]

@@MelissaMuir I'm so happy I saw this video a few months ago. The arthritis in my hands makes working with heavy stock so painful, if not next to impossible to bend, even with annealing. Much to my delight, Santa got me one of these for Christmas! Can't wait to start creating with it!

[@kwixilver]

Thanks so much for this video! I love the examples you gave…it really opens so many doors!

[@MelissaMuir]

Once you realize it is a metal bender and not just a ring bender, it changes everything.

[@mariannejennings4671]

I love this bender I use it all the time!

[@MelissaMuir]

I really like this one. I was very impressed with the quality of it.

[@bobbycordle9564]

I’ve been thinking about this a business (ring making with old spoons) and I like these. But if I were to get an influx of orders there seems to be no way (after all the googling and searching I’ve done) to bend more than one at a time. 🤷‍♂️ I’m surprised there isn’t a more advanced device for multiple rings/spoons at one time. I don’t want to just have to hire more people to help for just a small period of time (except maybe fall for Christmas time)

[@MelissaMuir]

Other than heavier machines, I don’t know of a way you could do multiples. And if you are going to do it as your business, I would probably look into an arbor press with different dies. This one is great if you are working with sterling. But if you ever wanted to do plated or stainless then this one wouldn’t be best for that.

[@larrymoremckenzie3029]

Let me see it bend triangle wire around a bezel and i'm sold!

[@caseyfuchs]

Hi Melissa, thanks for this informative video. I am trying to bend very thick silver wire, about 7 - 10mm. Is it possible with this bender? If not, can you recommend an alternative?

[@wonbadood8243]

7-10 mm wire? Bangles? Sounds like you need an industrial press with bespoke steel dies. The ringshank bender certainly will not take the strain of what you wish to form.

[@miralbacolonjorge]

Thanks for the tutorial! Could this tool serve me in an 18 gauge?

[@MelissaMuir]

Oh yes. Absolutely

[@cheritatum8318]

Thanks!

[@MelissaMuir]

Oh goodness. Thank you so much for the gift and your support. I really appreciate that. I am glad you found it helpful.

[@denisematlock4566]

I need to add the new deluxe set to the top of my wish list! A hand saver!

[@MelissaMuir]

Denise Matlock it really is a hand saver.

[@ravensmeadow1973]

Thank you! In making a ring, do you measure the ring size first? Or bend the metal first?

[@MelissaMuir]

I would measure the ring first then bend.

[@ravensmeadow1973]

@@MelissaMuir ❤ ty

[@essen_paradies]

Hi Melissa, if durston can't bend stainless steel spoons, the one from PepeTools can bend stainless steel spoons? Thank you 🙏

[@MelissaMuir]

No the Pepe one won’t do that either.

[@shawnali5935]

Another quick question, when taking tool out of box it is extremely sticky and greased up.. do you wipe the grease off? Or do you leave it all sticky to avoid rust?

[@MelissaMuir]

You can wipe it down with rubbing alcohol, but you will want to oil it back up to prevent rust. I like to use Boe-Sheild T9. It doesn’t leave it all sticky.

[@marenc9648]

Hello Melissa, I would like to buy a ringbender. Now I'm struggeling to buy one from Pepetools or Durston. I saw you made years ago also a video of the bender from Pepetools. Pepetools at time is not available or it is very difficult. Durston is available at Cooksongold and is much cheaper to ship to Germany. At the evaluations I read that the Durston bender is not worked so precisely and gets stuck sometimes. Now I' m not sure to order the Durston. Can you give me an advice please? Greetings from Germany Maren

[@MelissaMuir]

Hi Maren, I know there is a Germany division of Micro-tools. I think you may be able to get it through them. But I will have to find out for sure. After having both in my studio, I prefer the one from Durston and it is the one I have kept in my studio. I have not experienced any sticking, so I cannot speak to that. The machine I have is wonderful and machined better than the other.

[@marenc9648]

@@MelissaMuir Hello Melissa, I phoned already since one month with Micro tools. The ringbender is not avaliable and they don't know when they get them. It will last at least some months... Greetings from Germany Maren

[@marenc9648]

Oh, I saw the second part of your message later. I'm very glad, that the Durston works very well. So I can order it. Thank you very much for your help.

[@shawnali5935]

So I purchased this tool and when I opened the box the tools fell all over the floor and now my dies and formers got all mixed up… the dies are marked with a number but the formers are not marked with any numbers… is there any way that I can match the dies with the correct formers?

[@MelissaMuir]

I line them up with the mandrel portion. Strange that the formers aren’t marked. Mine are. But they fit together kind of like a glove so you should be able to figure out which is which. Or you can line them up side by side in order of size . And then you should be able to figure out which is which

[@judycraik2820]

Hat about spoon rings? How does it work with them?

[@MelissaMuir]

I would limit it only to sterling. I wouldn’t do plated or stainless.

[@js-gk3yu]

is it good for spoons? also how fast did it ship?

[@MelissaMuir]

Shipping depends on where you live and who you order it from. It was pretty quick to me. And yes. It is good for spoons.

[@Slaterbby]

I want to make rings out of spoons would this work?

[@MelissaMuir]

Yes, but you want to be mindful of the material of the spoons.

[@isabellaaustin4403]

does it bend steel?

[@MelissaMuir]

I would not use it on steel. It is meant for softer metals such as silver, gold, brass and copper.