Question: Securely Hold A Cuff For Diamond Setting

[tazzawazza]

Does anyone have any thoughts, tricks, rigs for solidly securing a Cuff bracelet for diamond setting under the microscope in their vise? I get it done but every time I try some new and nothing is positively ‘steady.’ Need it to be rock solid not moving and the cuff flexs besides. Thanks to anyone for any thoughts.

 

[JJ Roberts]

tazzawazza wow about hot glue it to a block of wood. J.J.

 

[tazzawazza]

I am going to give that try. I have an oval mandrel here and I’ll cut it up in 1.5 inch sections & hot glue the bracelet to it. Thanks! I think might work. I will let you know.

 

[PS_Bond]

Same. Cut a block of wood to shape, Thermoloc or glue.

 

[mdengraver]

GRS Pitch Cup

Compact pitch cup for mounting in the jaws of an Engraver’s Block or GRS BenchMate. Can be conveniently positioned for comfortable working. Made to hold irregular or fragile pieces including gun parts, jewelry, fossil specimens, and more. Pre-filled with pitch, a special material that...

www.gesswein.com

 

[Chujybear]

I use hot glue for most applications. But if immobility is key (outside of grafting a perfectly contoured jig out of wood or metal) I use shellac. It is rock solid. Will break before it bends, which is what you want if you are texturing reppouse, or setting stones, as the case may be.

 

[silvermon]

Good comments above, and I would add that with a little search, you will find that pitch can be adjusted for hardness versus flexibility. I usually use a softer mix and freeze it. Gives me a hard working support, but easier to remove the object from the softer pitch mix. Tar pitch seems more versatile to me, but I use resin pitch as well, and get good results.

 

[PS_Bond]

The classic setter's pitch/wax is usually shellac based; I've got that, pine-based pitch and bitumenous pitch. The first 2 are less hassle to clean up.