Side-Ring Jig-That Works

jimzim75

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Hi Gravers,
Standard ring jigs that are used to engrave the sides of ring always
loosen up. I find this annoying. You can only engrave in one direction,but
this tends to limit design. You can mount it in dop with your choice of
holding agents; diamond cement, shellac, etc. This is not always an option. Some stones simply will not take the cleaning process.
The idea is to have as many options as you can, to hold a piece of
jewellery to be engraved.
The solution I came up with is a simple jig that does not come loose
because of vibration during engraving using power assisted tools.
You do use some of the standard parts of the a normal jig.
The screw, collet, and expansion cone. You also use two nuts.
Why two nuts? The second nut is used as a lock device, that will not
allow the jig to loosen while your engraving. You can use two nuts of the
same size. I like using a "rod connector nut" that allows me to raise the
ring in the positioning vice. This makes engraving more comfortable.
See the pictures on how it works.
This works for me, very well and I hope it does for all of you.
 

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Sam

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That's a problem solver, Jim. Holding a ring for engraving on its sides can be maddening. I've used everything from shellac to 5-minute epoxy, and as you said, cleanup can be difficult.

What you show is relatively easy and quick to make, and GRS makes a version as well. When I mount rings for engraving, I always keep them as low and close to the vise jaws as possible to minimize vibration.

Thanks for an excellent tip! / ~Sam
 

fegarex

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Not sure how old your fixture is but the fixtures have sported flush screw and collets for some time. I've had mine several years and also have collets to hold scope rings for rifles. Too late on the kick-back....
 

Sam

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The GRS vertical inside ring holder is part #004-847 and includes 7 plastic mandrels, cone and screw. The body is 7/8" hex steel and is made for all ball vises. I should add that the countersunk mandrel cone and flush mount screw replaced the old style above-surface cap head screw for 2 years now on all their inside ring holders. I find that it works well for my engraving, and I can always slide the ring upward just a tad if I need more clearance. / ~Sam
 

fegarex

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J. C.
I like to think of "dated" as "wiser"....
:)

I thought mine fit flush but maybe it depends on the diameter of whatever you are holding. I made my scope ring collets but thought they had 1" collets available.
 

jimzim75

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Messages
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Hi Gravers,
Yes, this is one of the old type of screws. My reason for using it, has to
do with the rod connector bolt that I favour to lift the ring in the positioning
vice. The manufactures of connects don't make one for the smaller bolt size
that I know of. There is probable one out that will fit. I'm accustom to using the
jig the way I made it.
The next one will probable have a flush mount screw. I do like the large
bolt size because it's rigid. That's the whole idea. It' difficult to engrave
something that moves in a way you don't expect.
 
Last edited:

monk

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jimzim: thanx a heap for showing the pix of your ring holder. it gives me a great idea to try for holding different ring sizes in my pantograph. i've always had fits and fizzles tryin to safely secure rings in the panto.
 

monk

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scope ring collets

crimony: i'm gonna have to have a session with my lathe. i have to start a rifle by april. scope ring collets, great idea ! thanx
 

jimzim75

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Canada
Hi Monk,
I've tried it on the lathe, you have to watch the heat. It melts the plastic and becomes un-centered.
It is better to use an expanding jig for this. Since they are made of un-tempered steel, they can be turned to any
smaller diameter. The one's that are made in China are all you need.
I'm glad you like the my original idea. Offering ideas makes this a rich forum of knowledge.
You're welcome.
 
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