Titanium, cutting and welding ?

[jayjay283]

So my lady bought me a titanium wedding ring, semi-cheap ebay thing, but it doesnt fit. Its a tad to big. I took it to my jeweler and he said no one can cut it or make it smaller, let alone weld it back together. Is it so ? if not can you do it for me lol I got cash.

[junkman]

I was told the same story, they even went to the point of telling me say I die and it wont slide off, they would have to cut the finger off, and not the ring. They said it couldn't be resized as well. I know you can weld ti, a buddy of mine has welded up a ti exhaust for a car.

[redshift]

...you'll grow into it lol.

Your best bet would be a return/exchange if possible.

[TexasSP]

I have a Ti ring as well and ran into the same problem. I also have experience with Titanium.

The ring is machined and not molded out of molten metal like traditional gold and silver rings thus adding/deleting material to resize is not possible.

The next thing is that while titanium can be welded it is extremely difficult and would not yield good results on something like a ring.

Final is that it can be cut off if needs be with a dremel wheel. I have cute 8th inch titanium with a dremel wheel before and although it takes a little longer it will work.

[kraegar]

Go with a Tungsten Carbide ring over titanium. Ti rings end up looking scratched up over time, and have to be polished, my Tungsten ring I just buff with a cloth on occasion. (The tungsten carbide ring is also pretty heavy, which I think is cool). Just don't get a no-name tungsten ring. They don't put in carbon, or use copper instead, etc, which looks like crap after time. Neither Titanium or Tungsten Carbide rings can be resized or reshaped, but several of the Tungsten Carbide ring makers offer a trade-in deal for up to 2 times if you need a size adjustment.

Either can be removed, but sometimes it ain't too pretty: http://www.titaniumstyle.com/titaniu...ng_cut-off.htm

The ER at the hospital I work for has cut fingers off at least once due to a Titanium ring they couldn't cut off. The ED nurses kinda freaked out on me for even getting a Tungsten ring.

[nitrostarter]

Originally Posted by kraegar

The ER at the hospital I work for has cut fingers off at least once due to a Titanium ring they couldn't cut off. The ED nurses kinda freaked out on me for even getting a Tungsten ring.

I'll be sure to chalk that one in my book of wisdom before getting married....

[bdebde]

I have welded titanium. I would not want to try it on a ring. It is quite difficult even for the best of welders. Much prep and cleanliness are required. It must also be welded in a 100% argon atmosphere (sealed box). Any contaminants on the material or in the weld gas will cause discoloration. Not what you want on a ring. The time and procedures required are why most will say it can't be done.

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by junkman

I know you can weld ti, a buddy of mine has welded up a ti exhaust for a car.

Your buddy has some bucks in that car of his.

Ti must be welded in a vacuum or under a complete inert gas field, then it must be etched or ground to prevent corrosion from ruining the weld zone.

Ti is actually a fairly cheap material - all of the cost is in the processing. Ti dust is used as the white sparkly stuff in fireworks, thus you cant just buff it or grind it.

Your jewlers cant just melt it down and reform it like they can with gold. Just like with the welding, once it reaches its melting point, it needs to exist in a vacuum or completely under inert gas field. You jewelers arent set up to do this kind of processing.

[jayjay283]

LOL I knew id get wisdom here.... Im scrapping that idea !! Mr Happy like my fingers.. Im going to get a white gold ring....safe...... thats soft..time to go to coinstar and get some cash

[kraegar]

Just checked with our ED for updates-

Tungsten? We snap it, no problem!

Titanium? That's why you have 10 fingers, you can spare one, right?

[TexasSP]

I keep my titanium ring on my thumb because it was supposed to be my wedding ring. I can tell you if a doctor cuts my thumb off instead of the ring there will be problems.

[kraegar]

Just don't smash your thumb

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by kraegar

The ED nurses

Hmm, I did not know they had nurses that specialized in ED... Are they hot? Should be a requirement!

[kraegar]

Emergency department.

And hot nurses are mostly a myth. 90% or nurses should have retired about 15 years ago, in my experience!

[junkman]

Originally Posted by JThiessen

Your buddy has some bucks in that car of his.

he used a factory zo6 vette exhaust as a donor. so really didn't have that much in it compared to what buying the raw materials. He made radiator hoses for it as well from ti, cut up some stock street bike exhaust and welded the bends together as needed, then just put rubber couplers on the ends to the radiator, and water pump. Pretty neat stuff, went in an ls1 powered 240z.