GRS BenchMate User manual

004-109
MOUNTING THE BENCHMATE
The BenchMate locks onto the
Fixed Mounting Plate (I. #004-
557) attached to the front edge
of your bench. This offers several
advantages. It allows you to
remove the BenchMate quickly,
without tools, and reinstall it just as
easily. Additionally, you can change
from the BenchMate to the GRS
jeweler’s bench pin using this
same plate.
First, decide on the placement
of the Fixed Mounting Plate (it’s
designed for most wooden jeweler’s
benches). The six countersunk holes
give you the option to mount the
plate higher, lower or parallel with
your bench using the 4 wood screws
provided (fig. 1). Drill a 1/16” to 3/32”
pilot hole for each screw. Note that the
mounting plate is tapered two ways.
It is the taper that locks the BenchMate
onto your bench. You must install the
Fixed Mounting Plate EXACTLY as shown
in fig. 1. If the edge of your bench
is not thick enough you have two options:
1. You can add an extra board to the
top or bottom of your bench to make
a combined 1 1/2” to 2” thick edge
or, 2. You can order an Optional
Mounting Adapter (H. #004-559)
that screws to the top surface of
your bench instead of the edge.
USING THE BENCHMATE
INSTALLATION: Once the Fixed
Mounting Plate has been fastened to
the front edge of your bench, you’re
ready to use the BenchMate. With the
word “TOP” (shown in fig. 2) on top,
slide the BenchMate firmly over the
Fixed Mounting Plate and pull down
sharply to lock it into plate, see fig. 3.
IDEAL POSITION: Fig. 5 shows
the BenchMate at an angle from the
workbench. This position is ideal to
adjust the height of the BenchMate
if your workbench is too tall -OR- if
a microscope is used. This angle is
accomplished by loosening the two
hex screws (part A in fig. 5). Next, line
up the center point of knob 1 (fig. 4)
with the top of the work surface
(B in fig. 5). Hold onto the tube of
the BenchMate and tighten the
hex screws (part A in fig. 5) until
the BenchMate is secure again.
JAWS: The clamping jaws have a
plastic insert in them to prevent marring
of the workpiece. These are replaceable,
Extra Plastic Jaw Inserts for BenchMate
Holder (L. #004-090 or #004-558 pkg.
of 10). You should never solder on
any piece that is held in directly by the
jaws or you will melt the plastic inserts.
Special soldering clamps are available
to go between the BenchMate jaws and
the work when soldering. To replace the
plastic inserts, unscrew knurled knob 3
(fig. 4) and remove the jaw assembly
from the tube. Using a small rod, push
out the plastic insert from the outside of
the jaw into the center. Repeat for other
side. Position new inserts into the holes by
gently twisting to get them started.
Re-insert the jaw assembly into the tube,
aligning the Locating Pin (#002-769)
into the slot in the bottom of the tube
and tighten the knurled knob. As the jaw
assembly is pulled into the tube, it will
press the plastic jaw inserts into position.
BenchMate®
Instructions for Installing and Using the GRS BenchMate®
Fig. 1. #004-557 Fixed Mounting Plate
Fig. 2
1 - Adjusts the left to right pivot
friction when loosened *
2 - Holds the tube firmly in place
when tightened
3 - Holds items in the jaws by
unscrewing the knob and holding
onto the tube until the jaws are
open sufficiently. Tighten knob.
4 - Adjusts the front to back pivot
friction when loosened *
5 - Hand rest
6 - Third Hand mounting slots
*If you prefer a stiffer pivot, the black friction washer
(#004-089) can be removed from either pivot -OR-
remove the knob assembly (1 & 4) and replace with
3/8 - 24 hex bolts for a tighter pivot. NOTE:
Do not overtighten with the wrench or you
could crack the plastic washer (#004-091).
Fig. 4
Fig. 3
Fig. 5

004-109
The BenchMate is a heavy duty tool
designed for minimal maintenance. Like
all tools, some basic care will help it last
longer and maintain its mechanical integrity.
Keep acids and other corrosive compounds
off the BenchMate. If contact is made with
this type of material, wipe it clean and apply
a light metal protectant such as WD-40.
FIG. 6: Remove the tube assembly
from the mounting collar and unscrew the
large knurled nut to disassemble the jaw
assembly from the tube. Note the condition
of the Rubber Seal (#004-126) located on
the jaw assembly. This seal keeps chips
and debris from entering the threaded
area at the bottom of the jaw preventing
premature thread wear. If seal appears
damaged or torn, it should be replaced.
FIG. 7: Clean the inside of the tube
using a cloth and a wood dowel or
toothbrush handle. Check that all debris
is removed at the bottom of the tube.
FIG. 8: Using a soft bristle brush, clean
the debris from the threaded area at the
bottom of the Jaw assembly. Take time to
clean the threads inside the knurled nut
as well and check the fit of these 2 pieces
by threading them together. Lightly oil the
clean threads, re-assemble the jaw
into the tube and snug the knurled nut.
Note: When you install the jaw assembly
back into the tube be absolutely certain
that the locating pin near the screw
threads goes back into its mating slot inside
the tube. Failure to do this may result in
damage to your BenchMate
Jaw Assembly.
FIG. 9: Lightly oil the outside of the
tube near the top when reinserting into
the mounting collar.
Depending on the amount of use,
these maintenance procedures should
be done when you begin to notice more
force is needed to clamp the workpiece.
BenchMate® Maintenance
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

004-109
BenchMate® Accessories
Although the BenchMate can be used for a variety of
work, it is most often used in jewelry making. Many of the
accessories are therefore designed almost exclusively for
jewelry work.
The optional Bench Pin Kit (M. #004-556) allows a jeweler
to replace the BenchMate with a traditional bench pin in just
a few seconds. It mounts onto the same Fixed Mounting
Plate as shown in g. 1. Because it supports your work
better, you will probably use the BenchMate whenever
possible instead of the Bench Pin.
Every BenchMate comes with a Shellac Pad (C. #004-106).
The bottom leg of this attachment should be rmly clamped
in the jaws of the BenchMate for use. Small, irregular,
or fragile items are fastened onto the top of the pad with
jeweler’s shellac, wax, pitch, or various glues. Work can be
performed on the small piece that would otherwise be quite
difcult.
Especially to a jeweler, soldering is critical. The BenchMate
has some very effective attachments especially designed to
help a jeweler with soldering. As mentioned earlier, the main
BenchMate jaws have a special replaceable plastic insert to
minimize marring of the workpiece. You should never solder
on any piece that is held directly in the main BenchMate
jaws or you may melt these plastic inserts onto the piece.
There are two special stainless steel soldering clamps (A.
#004-552 and B. #004-553) that t into the BenchMate jaws.
These clamps do two things, they isolate the piece from
the main jaws while elevating the work and they provide a
stainless steel surface which resists damage due to solder,
ux, etc.
One of the best accessories for soldering is the Third Hand
Attachment (E. #004-646 and F. #004-546). This product
makes precise soldering easy by holding parts in the exact
position you want. With unequaled exibility, the Third-Hand
can twist, rotate and bend in all directions. They can also
mount directly to the hand rest plate by loosening the knob,
slipping it into the slot, and then tightening.
Part No. DESCRIPTION
#004-552 A. Narrow Solder Clamp
#004-553 B. Wide Solder Clamp
#004-106 C. Shellac Pad
#004-660 D. Pitch Cup
Filled with heat meltable material to hold small, irregular or fragile pieces.
#004-646 E. Short Third Hand Attachment
#004-546 F. Third Hand Attachment
#004-680 G. Sawing Plate, Right-Hand
#004-684 G. Sawing Plate, Left-Hand
#004-559 H. Optional Mounting Kit
For attaching Fixed Mounting Plate to curved or thin bench tops.
#004-557 I. Extra Mounting Plate
2” x 3 1/4” x 3/8”, 6 countersunk holes, comes with 5 wood screws.
#004-666 J. Adjustable Height Bracket
Includes another fixed mounting plate that can
be lowered up to 4” in 1/2” increments.
#004-569 K. 4" (100mm) Soldering Pad Assembly
#004-558 L. Jaw Inserts (pkg of 10)
#004-556 M. Bench Pin Kit
#004-592 N. Insulated Solder Clamp
#004-589 Inside Ring Mandrel
Includes holder body, 7 collets, expansion screw and wrench.
#004-628 Multi-Purpose Vise
Includes vise assembly and wrench. Fits any BenchMate.
Fixed Mounting Plate. Jaws are 2.3” wide, 1.6” tall and open to 1.8”.

004-109
BenchMate® Parts List
ITEM NO. PART NO. DESCRIPTION
1 004-095 TUBE
2 004-096 CLAMP JAW
3 004-090 JAW INSERT
4 004-126 SEAL
5 002-769 PIN, DRIV-LOK 3/32 X 1/2 TP E
6 004-092 CLAMP KNOB, DRAW DOWN
7 004-088 COLLAR
8 002-513 SCREW, THUMB
9 004-089 WASHER, FLAT FRICTION
10 004-091 FRICTION WASHER
11 002-511 SPRING, DISC
12 022-193 WASHER
13 002-510 BEARING, THRUST
14 004-298 BENCHMATE ARM
15 004-299 BLOCK, BENCHMATE ARM
16 002-489 1/4-20 X 5/8 SHCS BLK
17 002-748 PIN, DRIV-LOK 1/8 X 5/8 N PHA
18 004-544 KNOB ASSY 3/8-24
19 004-086 MOUNTING PLATE STRAIGHT
20 004-080 BEVELED RETAINING BLOCK
21 002-217 #10-32 X 3/8 SHCS BLK
22 004-087 MOUNTING PLATE BEVELED
23 004-094 HAND REST
24 002-065 #10-32 X 3/8 RHMS Z/P
25 002-247 WASHER, .191 X .628 X 16 GA
26 002-743 3/8 - 24 X 1 1/4 HHB
27 002-515 5 WOOD SCREWS #6 X 1 5/8
28 004-177 BACKUP CHANNEL
900 Overlander Road • Emporia, KS 66801 USA
800-835-3519 • 620-343-1084 • Fax: [phone]
[email protected] • www.grs.com
Last Update: 2019-10-03