making bangles on lathe

my daughter wants to have go at making some bangles on the lathe.

any ideas on best way?

or even what material to use?

she wants metal which doesn't really help me.

Good question. I dunno, and this won't help much either!

'Bangle' is a generic term for a wide range of costume jewellery. Get her to show you (us) pictures of the stuff she has in mind.
Most stuff won't really need a lathe, more like small hammer and anvil. Have a look on youtube for how to make a ring out of a copper coin. small, low cost, easy enough.
Other options are based on copper wire twisted. Maybe parting off a few brass discs or shapes in 1/4 in bar to drill and dangle on a copper wire bracelet? Again stacks of it in youtube which is probably what she has been looking at.

Edited By Bazyle on 02/07/2016 13:45:50

A bangle bracelet is, typically, a solid band that slips over the hand onto the wrist. If she is going to use a lathe she's going to waste a lot of material and make lots of swarf. The usual way is to bend strip metal and solder or weld it closed. I've made lots of bangles out of precious metal (gold, silver, etc), all from strip.

If she wants to use a lathe, then I would suggest a plastic, such as nylon or delrin.

Historically, I think most 'turned' bangles were made from wood, or from the softer stones, Example

That said; I see no reason why she shouldn't work suitably sized metal tubes in the lathe ... A short length of hard Aluminum Alloy could provide hours of fun.

MichaelG.

... Of course; if your daughter 'takes to it' you might want to set-up an Ornamental Turning rig.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 02/07/2016 14:34:31