hi
another good idea
a universal work holder…in a vise!
julie
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Awesome. Thanks.
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Hi again,
i am using my benchmate ring holder in a non-ring application, so i thought i would take a photo to show the use…
i am holding the saw frame with my left hand so that i can hold the camera with my right hand…normally my right hand would be sawing and my left hand would be around the top of the ringholder…using my thumb as a guide for the sawblade…
i needed to saw off some clipped sprues, and was finding it difficult to get purchase on my bench pin…
my item is not perfectly flat but the plastic jaws are are able to grip it firmly…
the arm bracket is also locked down tight and does not move…
the 2 knobs give an idea of rotation (360 degrees each), and the ring holder is also able to be twisted 360 degrees
my ring holder is the older original benchmate…the bracket is from the newer model that allows it to stay centered under the scope…i was able to purchase just these parts
hope this helps you contemplate your needs
julie
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Hi,
and here, the ring clamp is holding a 6x8 oval bezel while i saw off and sand the sprue
on a related note, there is a collet that allows the flexshaft to be held in the bracket as well
here it is shown holding my flexshaft
…i would actually move my flexshaft to the left side of my bench when using it this way as i am righthanded…but i wanted to show a quick photo…
julie
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Thank you so much. I have purchased a few of the devices. Have not gotten to try them yet. Opening a new gallery and my artistic side is on pause as I do the business side.
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Hi,
since i am doing it, i thought i would share…
here is yet another example of the beneficial uses of a benchmate, holding a small 6x8 oval bezel while i sand it…
my fingers, hands, elbows got tired of fighting to maintain purchase on my benchpin…even when using thermoloc on dowels…
(you can see the various wooden dowels i was using prior)
the bezel is held with thermoloc…i got a little piece, heated it a bit with a mini heat gun, tapered the end about 1/2” long by rolling it in my fingers, and pushed the bezel on…then used my fingers to work the thermoloc flush, under the bezel
then i flattened the bottom half so that i could grip it in the jaws of the benchmate ring clamp, which is easily rotated/ manipulated, and the ring clamp easily twists/ rotates.
it sounds tedious but the mini heat gun makes short work of it…no need for messy hot water…avoids the microwave when metal objects are being held…
i dont heat the thermoloc too much…warm to the touch…that way also makes it easy to remove…it just pulls off…too hot and you get a sticky mess…although sticky can be good in some scenarios…
here is the mini heat gun i got to be more bench friendly…than my larger Furno 500…!
julie
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Hi Julie. Thank you. I do not have the extension off the benchmate that you show. Where can I order it? By the way your bench is so neat. Not my strong point.
Hi,
my ring clamp is from the original benchmate
my arm bracket is from the newer benchmate QCX
my orig benchmate ring clamp fits into the newer QCX bracket
the reason i upgraded to the QCX bracket is that the object being held stays centered…rather than swinging out. (especially good under the scope, but very helpful in general)
here is the exploded view of the QCX with the part numbers.
you can call grs tools and they can put an order together with the parts you need.
i believe my bracket was $212 all in tax shipping etc
i got the parts in yellow highlight
check your original bracket to make sure what oarts you already have
and here are 2 packages that they sell at grs.com
to give you an idea of attachments.
there are more attachments here:
you can buy the ring clamp attachments separately (for the newer QCX and QC, if you opt to get tgem later)
universal pin vise jaws
shellac/ pitch plates
etc…
https://grs.com/product-category/products/benchmate-jewelry-tools/benchmate/
can you tell i am a big fan of their products!
julie
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p.s
i just noticed!
my ring clamp is in the holder sleeve upside down! the threaded part of the clamp sleeve should be on the bottom/ facing down…haha!
this allows one to raise and lower the ring clamp in the sleeve…using those 2 silver rings
here is a teeny 4mm round bezel👀
julie
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Hi
in case you are wondering why my bezels are separate parts from the base…when both are cast in sterling silver…it is because this is a first prototype of a CAD design that will eventually incorporate 2 different colors of gold…
i am checking form/ fit/ function of the bail hinge, and want to determine how much metal i will actually loose in cleanup and finishing…which affect my decisions on model measurements…and weight of casting…
i have already determined a few modificalions…
notes to self:
model the sprues directly onto the CAD design model to avoid thoughtless placement of the wax sprues and to simplify clean-up
julie
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Hi,
i usually mount these types of things on a narrow piece of wood, and then C-clamp it down…more flexible…if the wood extends off the back end, you could position it past the edge of your bench…or past the clamp of a vise…that way you could even possibly round the underside at the clamp end,…
julie
Thank you Trying to imagine it. The next time you use yours can send me a photo?
Hi,
question for you…what type of things do you make?
that might give a better idea of how you would want to secure it…
julie
A bumb thumb is something that a hand specialist can help you with. I have a fantastic one in Mt Lake Terrace, WA. He pioneered a surgery to open the tunnel for the medial and radial tunnel nerves that help you to pinch with your thumb. It is an easy surgery and a two week recovery. I had it done in 2017 because I couldn’t even pick up micro screws anymore - I was an optician and frequently did glasses repair. The name of the surgeon is William Ericson. No matter where you live, if you contact his office, they can probably refer you to someone.
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