Turning Napkin Rings

by Chas Jones

(click on any picture for a large image)

Turning napkin holders like this are fun and easy to make. Chas shows us the techniques he uses to make them.

You can also use any variety of wood or laminations to make the napkins rings. They are very fast to make and don't be surprised if you're asked to make them for all your friends and family.

 

Using your bandsaw to cut your raw stock.

 

Prepare a batch of rough cylinders approx. 50mm (~2") dia on bandsaw.

 

Turn up cylinders (long enough for two rings) all to same nominal external dimension. I did this by drilling a 8mm (~3/8") hole through and mounting them on a bit of 8mm (~3/8") studding, note diameter Guidance Washers made of scrap MDF each end, quicker than mounting between centres and provides a start for boring process.

 

Bore all central holes to same size and sand bore.

 

Part off into two rings of nominal length.

 

Size all rings to same length and sand ends. I reference off the face of chuck.

Then turn a tapered jamb chuck spindle to mount rings on.

 

Mount each ring and turn outer shaping and sand finish. (not too tight or rings may split).

Immerse in diluted (20%) Cellulose Sanding Sealer for a few minutes if wood, such as Yew,  is brittle or containing fissures,. Else just wipe on sealer as per normal finishing.

When drained and dried de-nib, removing any raised grain with fine NyWeb or Webrax (in the U.S., we often called these Scotch Brite Pads)..

Reduce diameter of jamb chuck spindle by the thickness of a layer of soft cloth. Attach soft cloth to spindle with spot of CA glue.

Apply wax to each ring in turn and lightly hold on start of jamb spindle to polish inside of each ring from both ends.

Push ring firmly onto jamb spindle and buff outer surface with soft cloth.