Making bracelets

[WayneG]

Some time ago several posters asked if I could post a how to our tutorial of making bracelets. I will try to start that process as u wait in line for Costco gasoline.... The one I will show you is an end grain bracelet as it has the most steps.

Gather your wood that you want as end grain components. 

Edited February 17, 2018 by WayneG

[WayneG]

Beneficial to have them all the same uniform size width and height if you want, unlike here but I used a planer later and I make some wider like this one in the middle.

Edited February 18, 2018 by WayneG

[WayneG]

Clamp together with lots of titebond three for an hour or more

Edited February 17, 2018 by WayneG

[DWSUDEKUM]

That came out great Wayne.  Thanks for the how to part as well.  

 

DW

[WayneG]

Once unclamped, plane and or sand to et ready for next step

[WayneG]

Cut into bracelet size pieces, in this case I chose to cover both sides  bracelet with thin pieces of torrified maple for both strength and design purposes, I have made these without and they are fine also. Add lots of glue and spread, then make sure it's aligned nicely and clamp

Edited February 19, 2018 by WayneG

[WayneG]

[WayneG]

Once cured unclamp, now your ready to sand any imperfections on both sides, like mine as these torrified maple are cut off s from plane handles. 

[WayneG]

Now it's time to place your template onto the peice, here is what I use, I also have a kids size one but can't find it, I use the wood templates as much as I use the file folder templates. 

Edited February 18, 2018 by WayneG

[amazingkevin]

7 hours ago, WayneG said:

Now it's time to race your template onto the peice, here is what I use, I also have a kids size one but can't find it, I use the wood templates as much as I use the file folder templates. 

I could never figure out how wood rings were done.You just enlightened me , Thanks

[Phantom Scroller]

Loads of work in those and waiting time with a great result in the finish.  Roly 

[blights69]

Thanks Wayne great tutorial 

[lawson56]

Now I know.Awesome job Wayne.Thank you.

[newfie]

Looks great thanks for sharing 

[WayneG]

Thanks folks,

Once the pattern if traced onto the blank cut it out on the scroll saw, go slow if the wood is hard or has many Spieces. If you push it will bend the blade and deform the bracelet.

When you have it cut out the blank looks like so, I then use these blanks to make smaller sizes, same process of tracing... You then have rough cut bracelet. 

Edited February 18, 2018 by WayneG

[bobscroll]

You did a great tutorial there Wayne! Thank you,

Bob 

[WayneG]

You then have a rough &  sometimes burnt bracelet. You can use a machine or detail sander to do some rounding off edges but not surprising the best bracelets come out when you sand by hand to completion. I go with 100,150, 270, 350 & 800 grit usually and it doe not take as long as you may expect. Also if the bracelet does not have outer edges like this end grain one don't put too much pressure when sanding as it may break

Edited February 18, 2018 by WayneG

[WayneG]

You then have a bracelet ready for your application of finish. I use Tung mostly but have used others, usually two coats followed by generous costs of wipe on poly usually two or three. This one here has tung but not poly yet

Edited February 18, 2018 by WayneG

[WayneG]

Here a some pics of the bracelets I have made learning this process. 44 here about 10 others I have made scattered around some place. Three additional broke in the making process, two broke by wearing and both times as a result of getting caught on the opening of my pant pocket and me pulling my hand out quickly. They are very durable as I have been wearing them daily for about 7 months. The corian white one was a trial, turned out nice, made another and can't find it.

Edited February 19, 2018 by WayneG

[WayneG]

Last pics of this process. The opening is crucial to be sized correctly. In the pic I put a black sharpie dot on my wrist where there is a bump or bone. About an inch above that the arm actual becomes a bit thinner and that is where the bracelet can be put on sideways and then turned. In the other pic you can see the opening on this gorgeous bracelet is larger and too big for me as it slips off to easy. IMO it's easiest to make various sizes, I tried to custom make a few sizes for my son, successfully and another for my neighbour, and I struggled with that task.

Edited February 19, 2018 by WayneG

[new2woodwrk]

Very cool tutorial - thanks - maybe one day I'll be good enough to attempt one

[GPscroller]

Great tutorial Wayne, thanks for the info.

Jeff

[Rob]

Thanks for the tutorial Wayne.  The bracelets are beautiful and sell well I'm sure.

Rob

[WayneG]

Posting this inspired me to make two new ones yesterday. These are done except the poly

Edited February 19, 2018 by WayneG

[heppnerguy]

Thank you for the nicely done tutorial. I expect that we should be seeing others giving this a try, in the near future. Each one is unique and quite attractive.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Dick                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         heppnerguy