What is an "Inside, Ring-Holder"? (13 photos)

 One of the strangest items in my bench was shown to me about 25 years ago. I thought that holding a ring in a wooden clamp would be the ultimate device. Was I so very wrong? (These photos were featured in my previous essay about creating "4-claws" in a ring).

 This device is aptly named "Inside, Ring-clamp". There have been many revisions and style changes, but the one I depend upon is now shown here.

 There is no opportunity for any ring to keep moving once it is being held and secured into place. Once the hexagon key has tightened the ring, it's safe to say you can easily use the Reciprocating Hammer and as well use your Onglette or Flat gravers. 

   As you can see that any positioning of an 'odd-shaped' ring can be easily used. With this new clamp, there is no longer any struggle to keep any ring from being moved. 'Ring movement' is now a thing of the past!

 In using this "Inside, Ring clamp", I have a better time holding any shape or design of a ring. I can quickly change the lateral, or side position at any time as no effort or time is being wasted in doing this.

  Here is a good example of how difficult it is to hold a ring on its side. I nearly said a few choice words to myself. But I hadn't thought of using my 'inside, ring clamp' at that particular moment. But I did a few moments later.

 

  Instead of squeezing the outside jaws of the clamp together. This novel approach held the ring from the 'inside' out. WOW, eh?

 These metal & wooden clamps have many drawbacks, namely in their securing during the setting processes. No one wants a ring that moves while "Gypsy" or "Bezel Setting", agree?

  After many years of continual use, this clamp leather got seriously worn away. 

  My photos will be a great help in explaining this interesting plastic ring insert.

Here are the three clamps that I shall be discussing. Sit back and learn!

 There is no opportunity for any ring to move once the hexagon key has done what it has been made for. Tightening the ring for any setting program.

                                      

     

 Let me ask you a question; "You can safely venture into the realm of perfection in a gemstone setting if a ring moves?" The answer is to get another ring clamp.

 Holding a ring in this fashion is not conducive to doing any accurate diamond setting. Any diamond setter would shudder if this was all that they had to work with.

 If the shank of a ring is wide, there are a lot of problems inserting the wooden wedge to secure any large ring. Failure is at nearly 100%!

  The main problem was giving me a very difficult time tightening the jaws of this metal clamp.

 I had to use my pliers to do the continual tightening of the side screw. This 'continual tightening' was a real nuisance to this setter.

 In this photo, you can see how the ring is held in place. The little holes show the many years of fantastic use.

  This hexagon key can 'tighten, or release' the ring. It locks the plastic ring insert from any movement. No other clamping mechanism can do such a great job of tightening, trust me!!!

 In the background are numerous plastic inserts, which are so very useful for working with any ring of any size.

The hexagon key expands the plastic & metal insert to hold the ring tight.

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  Your choice is now up to you which ring clamp is suitable for you? I have all three and will never discard any of them.

  I believe in security, ease of clamp use, and being able to do any setting job handed to me.
Gerrylewy18@gmail.com