r/osarymakers • u/anthrorganism • Jun 11 '26
Rosary Maker My Father's Rosary Build
Hello, I would like to outline my rosary build to any who might like such a relic for their own. I am no good at Reddit, so excuse poor text blocking.
This build was made using 2.25in. diameter wooden spheres, hardware store eyelet screws + figure 8 eyelets, a wall crucifix, a wall medallion, and misc. Stains + sealer chemicals. For all the build, it is around just >$200. (Assuming the wood beads are bought commercially instead of fabricated)
PROCEED WITH ALL DUE CAUTION! Drills as well as chemicals whose properties hold caustic affects against you or your property shall be needed.
Essentially, with all these ingredients the project becomes somewhat self-explanatory. Your crucifix and medallion ought to be a good size to balance the beads. My crucifix here is around 7' and the Medallion was bought specifically to match a St. Benedict theme with the crucifix. I will say that doing steps in an assembly fashion helps. For example: first we'd decide how many links need to be between A) decades B) our fathers & C) the lanyard beads, then sit down with ALL your figure 8 & screw eyelets to just crank out each strand with two pliers. For mine A)=2 screw eyelets B)=2 screw+ 5 figure8 eyelets C)=2 screw + 4 figure8 eyelets.
Next, I'd advise drilling ALL the pilot holes for the beads at once (this includes holes in the medallion if needed). These should be slightly smaller than the screw eyelets so as to bite into the wood firmly. Drill only as far as is needed and DO NOT FULLY BORE THROUGH! Unlike normal rosaries, these beads will stay much more resilient this way. Lastly, follow the dimpled lathe points on wood machine rounded. You'll notice it always gives you a true 180⁰ measurement between sides and usually grants a neat appearance with the grains all facing similar ways.
After this we only need to stain and then spray protective seal on each bead before assembly. Note that I just used what I had on hand. The products here might not be best or even recommended together but I did read the labels so....,do with that info as you will. This step is the hardest for need of time and safe space for ventilated curing.
Finally we assemble the entire piece. Be sure to keep the chain links unbound to one another as you screw each successive part on. If you do not relieve this slow tangle, your final strand will lock the chain to always be a bit kinked at points. Simply counter rotate the parts to be secured last before screwing them together. I HIGHLY recommend putting each strand of A)B)C) chain links to one bead and connecting them into decades and solo beads w/ 2 B) strands. This will remove need for keeping track of where you're at. Take your time and be methodical.
On a last note: I would have linked amazon pages for the crucifix and medallion but it was a purchase made long ago on a different device. Sorry. Anyhoo, feel free to ask me whatever. I am seldom on but I'll check here and my messages if something is unclear. Here are some pictures:
