Ring Roller Project: Metal Wood Rack

A metal wood ring is easy to make if you have the correct tools.  This wood rack was made using the Ring Roller from Shop Outfitters.� 

The Ring Roller Tom used was a 238 Ring Roller.  It is made for a maximum of 2″ wide by 3/8″ steel stock.  First, figure out the desired ring size.  Multiply the desired size by 3.14 (pie) to find the circumference of the ring.  Be sure to add additional flat material.  This material will fit between the side roller and the center drive roller of the Ring Roller.  For minimal stock waste, it is wise to use the inside roller.  It is also advised to add 9 or 10 inches to the overall circle.

The next step is to adjust the Ring Roller to fit steel material through.  Start bending the stock through the roller.  For a large ring only one step may be needed.  Smaller rings may require rolling once and then adjusting the Ring Roller to roll the steel stock again to get a good tight ring.

The metal wood rack pictured above was rolled in two different settings on the Ring Roller.   Roll rings up until the ends of the steel overlap, one end of the ring may be lifted over the top of the drive roller.  This prevents having to pull out the center shaft.  Next, take a vice grip and clamp the flat ends overlapping to the desired size and then put it in a chop saw and clip the ends at once.  If you end up a little crooked on the stock, the ends still line up.  The next step is to weld the ends together to form a ring.  The last step to making the rings is to grind off the welds. 

Two rings are needed to make the wood holder. Weld spreader bars on the bottom of the rings to hold the rings apart.   Enhance the holder by adding four horseshoes for legs for the wood rack.

Paint your new wood rack using a flat black paint.  It is sure to give you many seasons of enjoyment.