Pallet Rings

I was looking around Instructable and came across these beautiful bentwood rings.That got me thinking,there's got to be a way to make rings out of pallet wood.I was going to use my lathe,after I thought about it,a lathe isn't a tool that alot of casual woodworkers own.That being said,these are fun to make.And a little frustrating(I broke the first ten I made).Not alot of tools involved.If you try this please send me a pic.I put a variety of different finishes on the rings,I will explain in the instructable.My daughter really likes them,she wants more. At some point woodworking becomes art.Have fun,make a ring.

Tools:

disc sander

drill

3/4" spade bit

3/16th socket

torch

supplys:

waterbase paint-any color you chose

stain-any color you chose

polyureathane-I used highgloss

sandpaper-multiple grits

I start by using a 13/16th socket for the outside template.Then find the center,I find it easier to use a compass for this.Next drill hole,I used a 3/4" spade bit.(this fits my daughter perfectly)Use a different size bit to change sizes.

Trim the excess wood as close to the pencil line that your comfortable with.Ok here we go,sand to the pencil line.You will have a perfect blank.Then thin it out,I just eyeballed it.Not to thin or they get very fragile(see pics).After you have got the diameter the way you like it,thin out the band height to whatever you like.

I sanded my rings till I l liked them,no two the same.Thats kinda cool.Anyway here's how I finished mine.One is just a walnut stain.One just torched.The other two I painted then sanded,leaving some color then touched them with the torch.The painted ones are my fav.After you get desired finish put the rings on thin wire and dunk em in the poly.I did 3 coats.There's no right or wrong way to finish these.You have a blank pallet.(HA HA).Give it a shot,post a pic.As usual any? just ask.