Jeff, that is an extremely generous offer. I do actually have a ring I can salvage off an old, warped shaft. I just wanted to try and make the billet myself to see if I could. Those rings look fantastic, you do beautiful work.
Thanks,
Josh
Josh the way you were trying to do it is the same way as i made the ring. if you have a bad shaft dowel turn maybe 6 or 8 inches down so its straight, cut your 8 slots, trim of excess glue and veneer. now cut 8 more slots to get it to the .001 only cut a slot 1/4 inch down stop, mic the slot to the upper veneer and lower. say you are off .003 move slightly then index 45 degree you have 8 tries to get it right on and wasted only 1/4 inch. Jeff