The Standout Stonesetting Blog

A power-assist engraving machine - often called a "powered graver" or "pneumatic" in the trade - is a power tool that drives a graver or punch without you needing to apply much force by hand. This reduces the physical effort required and increases your tool control. It works by a reciprocal...

Connecting your GRS pneumatic system to a compressor isn't as simple as it should be. I get a number of enquiries every month from frustrated jewellers and setters who are struggling to connect their Gravermax or Graversmith to a compressor - so let's get this sorted!

Note: For students...

There’s an old adage that “if you can’t hold it, you can’t set it”, and if you’ve done much stonesetting before you’ll understand just how frustrating an ineffective workholding method can be, and how much it could be hurting your profitability. 

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The ball vise is the most popular choice for setters who work under a microscope full time.

It's possible to use handheld clamps or a Benchmate instead, and each has its strengths and weaknesses, but if you're looking to upgrade your setup and need a workholding method that's versatile and...

Choosing the right microscope for stone setting can be confusing, and there are many models available. This post is in response to common student questions. Rather than being a comprehensive guide to all possible options, the focus is on the models and configurations most popular and...