As Easy as 1-2-3

The Easy Saw offers jewelers stability, accuracy, and reduced strain

By Melissa Muir

(Originally Published by MJSA March 2024)

One of the best perks of my job is the privilege of testing and reviewing innovative tools in the jewelry industry. Jewelry artists frequently develop tools aimed at simplifying and enhancing various tasks within the craft. Last fall, I had the opportunity to assess the Easy Saw, a creation by jewelry designer and maker Dennis Montilepre. This tool is designed to bring stability, accuracy, and reduced strain to piercing jewelry designs, particularly benefiting those with limited grip strength or dexterity.

---

---

About the System

The Easy Saw is a 360-degree rotating aluminum clamp that will hold a variety of materials in a number of different ways depending on which accessory is used. Featuring a 2.5 inch diameter center opening for secure workpiece positioning, the clamp consists of top and bottom plates connected by two bolts and springs for easy opening. A hex wrench is included for opening and closing the clamp. The clamp can be locked into place with one or two locking pins to prevent it from rotating.

Neoprene lining on the top and bottom plates prevents workpieces from shifting or getting damaged. While officially supporting pieces up to 4 inches wide, it held longer pieces, such as bracelet blanks, in my experiments. The clamp also incorporates a slot for inserting the saw blade into the center section, enabling easy perimeter cuts.

Optional add-ons for the Easy Saw include 4 and 7 inch lazy Susan grid fixture plates, and a 7 inch lazy Susan fixture. The grid fixture plates have threaded holes for attaching clamps to position and secure items.

Loading and operating the clamp is very simple and quick. To use, slightly unscrew the hex screw, allowing the springs to lift the top plate, and then slip the workpiece into place and tighten the screw to secure. The clamp is designed to be mounted to a bench with a GRS-style mounting plate. It can also be clamped into a vise. For proper piercing ergonomics, I keep mine at around the same height as I would my bench pin.

In addition to the 2.5 inch opening top plate, the Easy Saw offers optional add-ons, including the lazy Susan 4 inch grid fixture plate, the lazy Susan 7 inch grid fixture plate, and the 7 inch lazy Susan fixture. The grid fixture plates have threaded holes for attaching clamps to secure and position items effectively.

Crafted from high-quality aluminum and hand-assembled by Dennis, the clamp demonstrates meticulous design and precision machining.

How Well Does It Work?

When I first received the clamp, I installed it right away. Because I already had a mounting plate on my bench, that part was easy. There are several clamp-on options you can use if you do not want to permanently install a mounting plate on your bench, including the Knew Concepts Bench Clamp.

Installing a workpiece did not require much effort, and it does not need to be clamped too tightly. Once the clamp was screwed together, my piece did not move at all due to the neoprene lining. However, I don’t recommend leaving pieces in the clamp for extended periods of time as the neoprene will leave a residue that can be difficult to remove.

Due to the size of the clamp, a deep throat saw is required. The best to use are the Green Lion Saw and the 5 inch saws by Knew Concepts, with the lever action feature being the most effective. I like the Knew Concepts saws with the lever action the best because you don’t have to apply force to close the throat of the saw to create the proper tension on the blade. Once the blade has been inserted into the design and proper tension has been achieved, you are ready to pierce.

I knew within the first couple of strokes that this was going to be a very different experience. Immediately I could see that my piercing was not only more accurate, but also—because everything was held so securely and with the right tension—each stroke was more effective in removing metal. My hands didn’t cramp at all because I didn’t have to hold my piece on the bench pin. After 22 years of piercing, my hands not only cramp, but I also find that the joints have begun to lock into place, especially if I am working on a more complex or larger piece. All of that was alleviated.

Exterior piercing (left) and interior piercing (right)

I was impressed with the smooth movement as the clamp rotated easily. Bringing my piece to the saw was smooth and easy, and turning corners was almost pleasant. My corners were sharp, my curves were smooth, my straight lines stayed straight, and I was able to pierce much more closely to my line.

An added bonus was how simple it was to clean up the interior piercing structures. I just left the piece clamped into place and worked with the various shaped needle files to clean up any areas that needed attention, of which there were far fewer because of the clamp. Once the piece was cleaned up, I could use my saw to pierce the exterior metal away. The clamp gives you easy access by lining up the slots on the top and bottom plates, allowing the blade to slip right out while the clamp continues to hold the piece securely in place.

I have tested numerous tools, and the Easy Saw stands out as a game changer.

In addition to piercing and filing, there is so much more you can do with it by adding some of the other accessories. The 7 inch lazy Susan plate can hold soldering boards and makes soldering at the bench a piece of cake. The grid fixture plates allow you to securely hold a piece for stone setting, engraving, drilling, carving, and so much more.

As stated, the Easy Saw is really well made and machined. With that comes a little higher price tag. Available online here, the Easy Saw clamp starts at $399. I will say, having the ability to do intricate piercing working again without the cramping and pain I was experiencing before is well worth the investment for me.

MJSA would like to thank Dennis Montilepre for providing the Easy Saw for testing.

---