For this example, I am making an 8-segment feature ring, with a ring diameter of 6 inches. I started out cutting two boards, 2 inches wide, about 1/2 inch thick and 24 inches long. One board of Maple, and the other contrasting wood color of Walnut. For a six inch diameter ring with 8 segments, the segment length from Jim Rodgers table is 2-1/2 inches. 8 segments times 2-1/2 inchs is 20 inches, which is how I determine approximately how long the boards should be. (I use a bit more length to have some spare.)

The important thing in making these two boards is to make the thickness of the two boards the same, using either your planer, drum sander, or table saw. My feature ring will be approximately twice the thickness of these boards (Approximately 1 inch, which will become apparent later.)