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Author Topic: Faceter  (Read 8776 times)

Skipper_52

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Faceter
« on: March 30, 2020, 09:09:29 AM »
Hi all,
I am brand new to gem cutting. After I visited the Lazzardo Gem Museum in Oakbrook, Il. USA I became fascinated
with the idea of gem cutting. Being a mechanical type person I decided I was going to build my own table because I couldn't afford $3500.00 for a new one and not sure if I'd continue with another hobby. I am going to start posting progress pictures and design issues I've run into. I've read up enough to understand indexing and how important it is when transferring stones from one dop to another. I will never cut precious stones with this machine but have enjoyed collecting nice looking rocks on the shores of Lakes Superior and Michigan. So this post/topic will deal with the trials, failures and success's of building a faceting machine. I had bought a Covington 8" grinder at an auction for $450.00 U.S. to grind some cabochons (which I haven't done yet) and a tumbler to polish the lakeshore rocks. So please bear with me with this topic/posting and please jump in at anytime to turn me in the correct direction.

Thanks in advance,
Skipper_52

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2020, 10:08:20 AM »
Page 2

This is the Chinese index arm I bought online for under $70.00. It does not come with instructions or a stop for the arm. The indexer and pointer are hard to read. The dop collet is 6mm not 1/4" and well built but there is no flat for indexing inserted dops after you transfer them. Back to the drawing board.
 The black piece is a mount I designed and printed on my Prusa 3d printer. I am 67 years old, a pack rat for scrap material. I have a complete wood shop along with a cnc router I designed and built and am proficient in Autocad so I design and build most anything I want. Still looking to nail anything on 1st attempt though.

Skipper_52

P.S. Ok, it looks like I can't post jpg's here  and will move all of this to the gallery section unless someone has another idea.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2020, 10:15:59 AM by Skipper_52 »

rosemart

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Re: Faceter
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2020, 10:50:49 AM »
Hi Skipper_52. Welcome to the forum.  Your jpeg opens for me.  It is a good hobby when you are self isolating like most of the world is. Idle hands are the tools of the devil, so something to do is always welcome.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2020, 10:52:34 AM »
Damn,
I can't see the pdf. I started posting pics in the gallery but will come back here with the rest of them.

Thanks for responding

rosemart

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Re: Faceter
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2020, 10:56:01 AM »
There is a line under your post.  The pdf file is just under that.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter Pic 02
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2020, 11:00:11 AM »
The base is made from extruded aluminum pieces I salvaged from a podium I bought in an auction for $15.00. The top is 1/2" thick white corian that I had laying around and I machined the mounting holes and slot on my cnc. The 8" wheel is trial mounted for testing the motor. It will have a water tray under it.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter - Pic 03
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2020, 11:01:16 AM »
The motor was a 12vdc windshield wiper replacement motor. I made the motor mount (hard to see) on my 3d printer. I needed the dc so I could control speed.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter - Pic 4
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2020, 11:02:20 AM »
The digital scale was purchased on ebay for under $25.00. They can be had for cheaper than that now. It sits on the 3d printed mount with magnets. (see next few pics).

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter - Pic 5
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2020, 11:03:21 AM »
This is where the missing stop should have been. I designed and 3d printed it. The wing nut and arm are tapped out for  6x32 screws.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter - Pic 6
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2020, 11:04:36 AM »
 It needed a fine adjustment screw added to it. You can dial this in to .05 degrees. Way better than the visual protractor.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter - Pic 7
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2020, 11:05:40 AM »
 I modeled the digital angle mount to accept 1/2" x 1/8" rare earth magnets to hold the meter (which already had magnets in it). The mount came with a 64 index wheel but I purchased another (96 index) afterwards.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2020, 11:06:43 AM »
 I bought a 8"x8" steel electrical box for the 12vdc transformer and speed controller. They were purchased on ebay for under $50.00. I added the fan to keep the components cool. You have to guess at the rpm's but the digital % readout helps. The motor did not have specs for max rpm's. It starts spinning at about 10% but there is no power there. I believe I could start grinding with 80 grit at about 20-25% power.

Pro-oz

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Re: Faceter
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2020, 11:45:37 AM »
This will be good to follow. Thanks for posting.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2020, 11:50:32 AM »
As I said earlier I am a COMPLETE novice to this but enjoy building things. I might have a lot of questions. Dumb included.

Skipper_52

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Re: Faceter
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2020, 11:53:47 AM »
As you will see later on I needed some 6mm shafting to fit the collet. I just found some online  (d shafts) which make the indexing so easy (I think).

 

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