UK Help Needed!

[afmetalsmith]

I am having a problem with UK ring sizes.

To wit: although there are various conversion tables on the Web, they are not consistent one with another. What's more, they do not even offer consistent measurements for the inner ring diameter at various sizes- which, frankly is all I need, since the sizes in any set of units are merely a convenience; to make rings, I need the inner ring diameter.

And so, I plead for help!

Among things that would be useful: anyone who knows their ring sizes in both UK and US units; and/or anyone who has both a known UK-sized band and the ability to measure the inner diameter accurately (and by "accurately" I mean ideally to 0.02mm, but definitely to 0.1mm, and please measure it from, say, north to south and then again from east to west, in case it's gone a bit oval in wear).

Either or both of these will help me figure out which of the conversion tables is approaching accurate. And then all I'll need to do is figure out whether or not my clients are using the figures from one of these... I know their UK ring sizes, and will be happy to make them in those sizes (or maybe a bit small, since stretching is pretty easy), if only I could!

Thank you very, very much.

Also: if anyone in the UK or elsewhere knows where I can get a (hopefully reliable) UK ring mandrel or set of sizers, I would be most, most grateful. And, what the hell- a European one, too, while I'm at it.

Comments

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

I can get you an European (if that is what we actually use in spain, I would hope so ;P) ring thingy if you want, tell me soon!

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

European would be great- thank you! Now, a steel mandrel would probably be both awkward and expensive to ship- they're so big and heavy! Aluminum would still be big but not so heavy, or wood- or a set of the sized rings that people try on to find their correct size, if that looks easier to send.

As far as enamels go- I think the only one I really could use is the opal one you use for your grissaille, like in the shells and the Mobius designs. Both I and my enameling student are dying to experiment more with that!

Many thanks!!! :)

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

I think the easier would be the rings to try on, right? and I know where to find that too (I need one myself).

I use both soyer 101 and blythe T-8. I hope they haven't discontinued T-8 or I'll kill myself ;)
I would recommend testing both, they are slightly different. How much would you like? (I think you can take 50g, 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg)

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

The rings to try on sound great. Thanks!

How about 250g of both the soyer 101 and the blythe T-8- that should cover my needs. Thank you SO MUCH!!!

And if you know of any really fabulous oranges or orangey-reds... well, I'm still in need of such; maybe 100g per color? I'm looking for fire colors.

And if they have that wire "nest" for soldering, I'd love one.

Many thanks!!!!!

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

Ok! no problem.

As for reds and oranges, I wouldn't know what to get! didn't I send you some red and orange samples?... I cannot remember. Is there anything of these you would like more?

I don't know if you will see this before I leave though.

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

You did send me some oranges and reds, yes- I havent' done samples of them all yet, so don't know of any I really need. I just asked on the off-chance you'd found one you adored since sending me the samples. :)

I REALLY appreciate you getting the various things for me!!!!

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

oops, yeah, too late *g*

I looked at the palettes in the shop and I got 100g of red 8 and orange 620, for you and for me. They really seemed nice, I hope you like them, otherwise you can send them back to me :)

They (temporarily they said) were out of T-8 opal (sigh) so I got you only 101 opal.

So I got you:

Soyer opal 101 250g
Soyer orange 620 100g
Soyer red 8 100g
Schauer opal 64 100g

That was € 43.64

The wire net thingy (perruca) I got too, that was €13.20. I didn't get the ring set thing because it was €20 and I found it a little pricey, plus the guy said he didn't know for sure if it was European standard, probably not since all manufacturers seem to have their own standards anyway ;P I got one for myself though, so I can try to measure some rings and if you are interested I'll get you one next time.

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Would you rather I paid you now for this stuff, then the postage separately when you mail it? or can you guess the postage? or..?

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

I guess the best would be if I ship it and then tell you how much, no? you prefer paypal?

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

Hey Amanda, I shipped the package today, you know how much it weighs? 999g hehe, the clerk told me ;) just under one kilo so the shipping was €16.
If you want to use Paypal it is €62.42 after fees.

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

Oh, and do you have Schauer 64? a very opaque white opal, but I love it for so many applications.

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks for asking! I just checked and I have a bit, but would not mind another 100g. It's really gorgeous.