Shopsmith Forums

I have been very interested in the ring matser for a long time but have been reluctant to spend the money to get it. Has anyone used this device and or can provide feedback??? Thanks

justdoingit wrote: I have been very interested in the ring matser for a long time but have been reluctant to spend the money to get it. Has anyone used this device and or can provide feedback??? Thanks

I just received it and will be trying it over the holidays. I was hoping Nick was going to do a sawdust session on it.

I had seen it many years ago but did not have the money, I got it on sale.

The Shopsmith version is a lot cheaper than any of the standalone versions.

Thanks.

if you would, let me kno how it worked out for you.

[quote="justdoingit"]Thanks.

If you would, let me know how it worked out for you. perhaps a picture of a finished project?

You might be interested in reading this article (http://www.handymanclub.com/Projects/Project.aspx?id=26384) about how to accomplish the same thing that a RingMaster does without the expense. This is the first time I've seen this technique so I don't know how well it works but it looks like it might be worth a try.

I purchased one a number of years ago and made some bowls. Other things have slowed my woodworking for a while and I hope to use the Ring Master again soon. I've attached pictures of the first bowls I made. Three of them are poplar which explains the uneven stain. They're just a small example of what the machine will do. The trickiest part is getting the glued-up stack symmetrical but its really not that hard. People are always quite amazed when they find out the bowl was made from a flat board.

I don't have a ringmaster, but I have made a few bowls using a parting tool to separate the rings. Works fine but I always find it a bit nerve-wracking at the instant each ring is released. Yes, they do fall back onto the quill and (eventually) stop spinning, but for a few seconds you've got a bouncing chunk of wood which keeps your adrenaline going nicely. I make sure I don't drink too much coffee in the morning before I try this!:rolleyes:

I really would like to get a Sand Flee to sand the rings smooth and flat before glue-up. So far I've just taped sheets of sandpaper down on a flat surface and used elbow grease. Works fine but takes too much time.

Gary

I was hoping Nick was going to do a sawdust session on it.

In the works, Paul.

With all good wishes,

Leonard, thanks for the "Bowl from a board" post. I've seen other articles using a band saw with the table set at an angle to cut concentric circles and then glue them up. The problem with that aproach is you got a extra "seam" to glue where you must get the bandsaw blade from one circle to the next.

Gary, thanks for the warning on the spinning rings.

I don't see one in my future but I am interested in hearing more about how this is done. I take it the cutter is at some angle and the width of the cut is less then the differences in dia. of the inner/outer circle that is being cut... right?

If so it seems that one could drill at that angle then use the scroll saw to cut out the circles?? Or maybe an angle stand and a rotozip??

Ed