Testing the Jayne Redman Rotational WorkRing System
Hold It Right There
A versatile and ergonomic solution for sawing and piercing.
By Melissa Muir
(Originally Published by MJSA October, 2025)
Sawing and piercing are essential skills every jeweler must master. Some projects require only minimal sawing, while others—often larger, more intricate, and decorative—demand hours of careful, controlled cutting. Success depends not only on control of the saw frame and blade, but also on how securely the workpiece is held and supported. Holding the work can sometimes be one of the most challenging and even painful parts of the process. Long sessions can lead to hand and finger cramps, which sap accuracy and slow progress. For that reason, toolmakers have long searched for better ways to support the work.
One such solution came when tool manufacturer Swanstrom, working with jeweler Gary Hutchinson, created Gary’s Clamp. Originally designed for sawing discs punched out with Swanstrom’s disc cutters, the clamp made it possible to saw two discs simultaneously to create matched earring components. By holding the work in a small ring with adjustable arms, the clamp freed jewelers from having to grip the piece tightly. And instead of shifting the entire workpiece, users could simply rotate the ring. The system could be used on its own with a bench pin, but pairing Gary’s Clamp with the Swanstrom SawPlate provided even smoother, more effortless movement, making it a popular option for detailed sawing.
The idea took another leap forward when Swanstrom Tool Designer Tim Sheriff saw educator and jeweler Jayne Redman creating blanking dies. Recognizing the potential for a more versatile work-holding tool, he approached Redman to collaborate. The result was the Jayne Redman Rotational WorkRing System by Swanstrom. This new design featured a larger 4 inch opening to accommodate bigger projects, including hydraulic press blanking dies. With the addition of a circle clamp adapter, the system became compatible with both Gary’s Clamp and the Swanstrom SawPlate Circle Clamps, greatly expanding its versatility.
With the optional Swanstrom Circle Clamp Adapter and slider clamps, the WorkRing system expands to hold a wide range of shapes and sizes, giving jewelers greater flexibility at the bench.
About the WorkRing System
The Rotational WorkRing Base can be mounted in four ways and is compatible with most dovetail mounting plates from brands such as GRS, Knew Concepts, and Jayne Redman. The first method uses dovetail cleats for stationary mounting without rotation. The second uses the cleats along with a spacer and dovetail adapter, allowing rotation and the ability to lock the base at any angle. The third skips the cleats and spacer, using only the dovetail adapter for full rotational freedom. Finally, the base can be mounted directly to the Jayne Redman dovetail plate for a more permanent setup that still allows rotation. Each method is fully explained in the included instructions.
Using the WorkRing is straightforward. You slide your material under the Phillips-head screws, tighten them with the included screwdriver, and begin working. The ring holds the material securely, and you simply rotate the work as you saw. This reduces the muscle strain and fatigue that can plague jewelers during long sessions, making it especially valuable for those with reduced hand strength from injury or arthritis. While I primarily use it for piercing, the system also handles engraving, texturing, carving, and even stone setting. It also works great holding materials such as wood and plastic. The silicone-lined depression in the base allows the ring to turn smoothly for precise, controlled cuts. You can also lock the ring in place when rotation isn’t needed.
For larger or irregularly shaped pieces, Redman developed Slider Clamps, which expand the system’s capabilities even further. These clamps can hold nearly any size or shape, making them especially useful for unique or complex designs.
The WorkRing system secures even the smallest pieces for sawing and piercing, while allowing smoother motion and more precise, detailed cuts.
How Well Does It Work?
When making blanking dies, maintaining the correct angle while piercing can be tricky. The rotational base solves this problem, making it easy to keep the proper angle throughout the entire process. In my own testing, setup was quick, and I was able to get to work immediately. Starting with the WorkRing Base, Swanstrom Circle Clamp Adapter, and Gary’s Clamp, I tested a small, pressed design only about half an inch square. The clamp’s adjustable arms held it perfectly, and rotating the piece to meet the saw blade was effortless. I noticed an immediate improvement in accuracy, and the usual fatigue and finger cramping never set in. The silicone lining in the adapter provided smooth, controlled motion.
By combining smooth rotation with the option to lock in place, the WorkRing helps jewelers work more comfortably and maintain precise control.
When I switched to a larger piece, I removed the adapter and relied on the WorkRing alone. The ring’s multiple screw holes made positioning easy, and securing the work took only seconds. Threading the saw blade through a piercing design can take a bit of practice, but the process quickly becomes routine. Just as with smaller work, I found sawing to be smoother, more accurate, and far less physically taxing. An additional benefit was a noticeable reduction in blade breakage: With the workpiece held securely and tension maintained consistently, the saw moved more smoothly and the blades lasted longer.
In addition to the clamps and holding systems, Redman and Sheriff have developed adapters for other tools, such as the Wolf Wax Trimmer, with more accessories on the horizon. Redman offers a variety of instructional videos on her YouTube channel demonstrating how to assemble and use each tool and attachment. The system itself highlights the value of collaboration between artists and manufacturers—when those two perspectives combine, the results are often the most effective and innovative tools.
The Jayne Redman Rotational Work-Ring System is more than just a work-holding solution—it’s a precision tool that improves comfort, accuracy, and efficiency for jewelers of all skill levels. Whether you’re piercing tiny designs or tackling large, complex pieces, this system can transform the way you work at the bench.
MJSA would like to thank Jayne Redman for supplying the system for testing.