First timer making an engagement ring

Well, as I recall, you started out with a computer and a CAD
program to design the ring, Then there was the whatchamacallit that
takes the design and carves the wax, then there is the vacuum
caster and associated casting equipment. If you got that stuff for
less than multi thousands, please let us in on where you buy your
tools. 

I’ll admit that this being sent from my design computer ($$$) but the
cheap backup laptop will run the CAD stuff almost as well. The CAD
program did hurt a decade ago, there are much cheaper options these
days. CAM is not that expensive. Driver boxes can be had if you which
end of a soldering iron to grab. Free sample of driver chips are
wonderful. My little mill was constructed with used and donated
parts. Ugly as hell but my most accurate one. Some other fancy junk
about, mostly to get tax write offs.

jeffD
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand

Dear Drew, you did a wonderful job creating an heirloom for Kelly,
You have been blessed to have built up a great shop that any ofus
would be proud to own, no explanations needed for a job well done.
pat

Drew, What the equipment actually cost YOU was not the point. The
point was that there is a much cheaper, and in my opinion better,
more efficient way to make that particular piece. You may have gotten
the mill setup for $300, but a quick Google check shows one for sale
for $2,000. And that’s just the mill. Also, you have ignored the
time, effort and technical expertise necessary to make the equipment
as you did. If I were to go to Rio or Otto Frei or some such supplier
and purchase the equipment you used, I would be out multi thousands.
On the other hand, I could also make the piece you made with basic
jeweler’s hand tools most of which, in one form or another, have been
in use for thousands of years, in two or three hours, so why go to
all the time and effort to do it the way you did? Much more
complicated designs of course are a different matter. Jerry from
Kodiak (and still in Bangkok until the snow goes away back home)

Hey Rick,

 I'm confused. Wasn't there some kind of cnc machine or 3d lathe of
 some type in there? The software alone for your drawing is pretty
 expensive.

If you buy a CNC machine, it will cost you a pretty penny.

You can make your own CNC machine, for $600 - $800 (probably less
now), or you can buy CNC conversion kits for milling machines.

You can get free software.

You just need motivation to do it.

Regards Charles A.

Hey Rick,

I'm confused. Wasn't there some kind of cnc machine or 3d lathe of
some type in there? The software alone for your drawing is pretty
expensive. 

If you buy a CNC machine, it will cost you a pretty penny.

You can make your own CNC machine, for $600 - $800 (probably less
now), or you can buy CNC conversion kits for milling machines.

You can get free software.

You just need motivation to do it.

Regards Charles A.

Jerry,

I’m not sure what the purpose of your comments are? My assumption is
that anyone and everyone on this list could make my ring, using a
variety of methods (cast, fabricated, whatever), for less money than
it cost me. However my chosen method had nothing to do with it being
the economical way or even the best way. I’ll say it again… I’m
not a jeweler, I have never melted anything other than cheese, and I
have exactly ZERO experience with any of this art. The fact that you
could fabricate the design easily is irrelevant… because I
certainly could not; I don’t have the skills. By casting it I was
able to shift a lot of the “skilled” labor off of my shoulders.

As for the cost of the equipment, I don’t know what else to say. You
asked where I got my equipment and I told you. The mill, again, is a
Sieg X1 and it was sold by HarborFreight, Grizzly, Northern,
Micromark, and a score of other distributors for $300 new. Yes, some
other mills are much more expensive. The X1 isn’t sold anymore, but
you can still buy its big brother (the X2) for under $600 from the
same places.

Regardless, I don’t intend to evangelize, you guys are the experts,
I was just sharing my success.

Drew

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Pics are still up here:
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1rj
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1rk
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1rl
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1rm
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1rn

Regardless, I don't intend to evangelize, you guys are the
experts, I was just sharing my success. 

Drew, I for one certainly appreciated the fact that you documented
your journey so thoroughly and were willing to share that with all
of us. I thought it was an incredibly romantic gesture and showed
that with thought and fortitude, one can do anything! It was so nice
of you, after asking for advice here, to come back and report on the
outcome–many people would just take the info and run, never looking
back. I say a big, “Thank you!” :slight_smile:

I believe that the purpose of your mission, and the spirit in which
it was accomplished, have completely escaped those who continue to
nitpick your methods, costs involved, etc… Not to mention there are
some individuals on this forum who simply like to hear themselves
type, I can only suspect.

Bravo! I wish you and your fiance all the best for a long, happy,
and blessed life together!

Beckie

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Great job Drew!

Drew, I think you did a wonderful and romantic thing. Thanks for
sharing your success - especially the “YES” to your proposal.

Judy in Kansas, where if rain doesn’t start I will need to irrigate
the gardens again.

I noticed something about your ring. The women were able to get it,
and the guys seemed to pick it apart. I am sure it is a Venus and
Mars thing. Lucky for Kelly that you, Drew are on her side of
romance and symbolism. Blessings, and let us know when you get
married, a video might work,

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