Thread: Passing the time (a great activity to do with kids as well)

This is a simple little trick to make a coin ring that was used by early sailors. Any coin that is a pure malleable material (like silver or copper) will work, but most of the newer coins of today with complex alloys don’t work well at all. I hope you enjoy this little tutorial.

First you need a piece of steel to use as a base for the coin to set on. Take the coin and stand it on edge. Tap the reeded edge with a spoon or a small machinist hammer while continually rotating the coin, I would recommend using the spoon first until you get the hang of how the silver feels when it folds. Be patient and don't rush it, it takes a while.

Once I have the letters on the edge of the coin folded in that's where I stop and then take a look at the coin and make sure it's round and the edges are even.

Next drill a hole in the center of the coin. Once the bit goes through the coin it will jam itself on the drill bit. Leave it on the drill bit.


Next take a piece of sandpaper( I use 400 grit to start) and hold it against the coin as you run the drill. You can sand all the dings out of it this way. I then use 1200 grit to finish it.

Then I take some "Brasso" and put it in a cloth. Then run the drill with the coin spinning on the cloth. Do this as many times as you want(use a new spot on the cloth and Brasso each time) until your satisfied with the shine of the ring.


Next take the coin off the bit and place it in a pair of vice grips. I use the vice grips with the curved jaw as this will hold the coin better than the straight jaw vice grips. Make sure you wrap something like heavy tape around the teeth of the grips. If you don't you will be sorry. If you have some clamps with rubber or plastic on the contact points this will work also.


The next step I take a dremmel with a cutting bit and route out the center of the coin. Be careful as the bit will jump around if you don't hold it tight. Take your time! Once you get close to your proper size you want then stop.

I then take a sanding disc and smooth out the inside and stop at the size you want.

Next step take a buffing wheel and put some Brasso on it, and then run the dremmel buffing out the inside of the coin. Do this a couple times. That’s about it! Give it a shot, it takes time but sure is neat when it's done.




And there you have a nice shiny ring  It’s a little harder to use an old penny because its smaller, but they make great little rings for the kids and the kids love being a part of the process… so commit a federal crime, destroy some currency and have fun with the kids.

Man that's a cool trick! Thanks for sharing.....Jeff

That is real cool...and illegal?

RT

what an interesting little project!
I don't beleive it is illegal. As long as the coing belongs to you to begin with and as long as you are not defacing currency with the intent to alter it to gain a benefit (ie turning a 5 into a 50)- then it is not illegal. I guess if you tried to sell these for more than the value of the coin there could be an issue.

I will have to use your idea for a project the next time my nephews are visiting!
Thanks for posting!

Outstanding!!!! Lynn

Nice project. I just woke the baby up with all the hammering and my wife is giving me the evil eye. No nookie tonight.