Wedding ring workshop itinerary
Our make-your-own wedding ring workshop is an all-day experience, taking approximately 8 hours, including lunch. We can make this shorter if required, and it can go on longer if needed. We never leave anyone with an unfinished ring.
Arrival
If your workshop is on a weekend, then we will meet you downstairs asd the main doors to our building will be closed. If your workshop is on a weekday, then the main doors will be open and reception will be able to direct you to our workshop on the second floor.
Start, lunch, finish
The workshop can either start at 9 am or 10am for a 5pm or 6pm finish. We can break for lunch wherever you like; the day is yours, and there is no set time. A natural break comes when the rings have been soldered, which marks the end of the construction stage before buffing and polishing, but you can put down and pick up your rings at any stage so it's by no means set in stone.
Make a plan
Unless already agreed, the first step is to decide on exactly what it is you would like to make. We need to know which material you would like to use in advance, but we can finalise your finger size, the profile, width, and finish on the day. You can browse our samples and make decisions about what the aim for the day is.
Torch induction and melt up
The first step is to melt all of the metal together, from its raw grain form, into a bar ready for milling. To do this, we use a propane and oxygen torch, for which we need to do an induction. This is a comprehensive induction to make you comfortable and safe with this important tool.
Milling and shaping
Once in bar form, we can mill the metal into a strip with the appropriate dimensions to make the rings we have discussed. This is the single longest process and often takes 2 or so hours. Once milled, we bend the metal from a straight wire into a circle.
Soldering
Now we can solder, joining the two ends and making a ring.
Lunch
Soldering marks the final construction stage and makes a nice natural break for lunch. After soldering, your rings need to de-oxidize in the pickle for 10 minutes or so. For lunch, we often order in via Deliveroo, and you can choose whatever you like. If you fancy a break from the workshop, you are welcome to find a local restaurant instead. In this instance, you pay for the lunch, then please bring us back the receipt, and the cost of lunch is deducted from the cost of materials.
Check size, final shaping stage
Now that the ring is soldered, we can check the size and make sure the ring is round and straight.
Filling and buffing
Now that the construction is complete, we need to prepare the surface of the rings for whatever finish we are going to apply. In almost all cases, this method uses files, buff sticks, and drill-mounted abrasives to smooth down the surfaces of the rings, removing evidence of the join and maintaining the desired shape.
Polishing and cleansing
The final stage is polishing or applying a brushed finish as required. Then, ultrasonic cleaning and drying.
Weighing and paying
Once the rings have been finished, we can weigh them and work out the total cost of materials. The rings are weighed in front of you, and you even get a chance to get the materials for free.
Engraving
If you would like your rings to be engraved, then we can discuss this at the end of the workshop. We have a range of fonts and engraving styles that we can discuss with you.