Ring Miller

[Great Barr Kid]

I am researching 'family history' for a friend. On the 1911 Census a member of the family is listed with occupation; "Jeweller ring miller".
Can someone explain what a 'ring miller' did in the jewellery trade?

 

[Stokkie]

This is a guess. I think they may have used a hand operated rolling mill to make silver or gold wire which could be cut into lengths, formed into rings and joined with silver solder. Link is to a modern equivalent.

https://www.cooksongold.com/Jewelle...ith-5----Rollers,-Value-Range-prcode-999-AXWA

 

[Stokkie]

This is a guess. I think they may have used a hand operated rolling mill to make silver or gold wire which could be cut into lengths, formed into rings and joined with silver solder. Link is to a modern equivalent.

https://www.cooksongold.com/Jewelle...ith-5----Rollers,-Value-Range-prcode-999-AXWA

https://www.cooksongold.com/blog/learn/how-to-use-a-rolling-mill/ Shows how to use the mill for ring making.

 

[Great Barr Kid]

Hello Stokkie
So grateful for your reply, many thanks. Obvious when you see it! What a bonus that you have sent links to a supplier of small roller mills as well. Really appreciate your reply.
Sorry for late response I have been busy over the past week.
Cheers for now,

 

[Stokkie]

Hello Stokkie
So grateful for your reply, many thanks. Obvious when you see it! What a bonus that you have sent links to a supplier of small roller mills as well. Really appreciate your reply.
Sorry for late response I have been busy over the past week.
Cheers for now,

Thanks for your reply. I say a guess, because despite three hours of metal work a week in my Smethwick education, I've not used a roller mill (and I'm not in the jewellery trade).

I did consider how you might use a milling machine to make rings, but discounted it as there would be too much waste. A milling machine holds the workpiece and moves circular cutters into it to remove unwanted material. You could start with a bar and mill a tube, then slice that into rings, but I don't think they would do that then.

So I decided on a roller mill. I'm open to correction, but I think that's probably what they did. There was a good deal of hand work, including fly presses in the trade as you can see from the jewellery museum if you are in Birmingham. A fascinating place to visit.