Concave Cutter

[FlashGP]

Hi Guys,

If you are interested I started a Facebook group called Concave and Fantasy Faceting Design.

My intent is to foster discussion among a wider group than is available on ALF.  Members of the half a dozen facebook groups I am a member of are granted automatic membership if they apply to join.

Regards
Flash

[Faceting Frank]

I would be interested in joining when I get into it. Got my geared motor attached the pushrod assembly will operate off, but stopped work at the moment because of the stone I have on the machine.
It’s “Barion Heart – Transplant” for the US comp. They have made the stone a specified size and I’m finding you cant cut the stone accurately with the current cutting sequence. Because nearly every facet on the pavilion is cut including all the breaks, before the girdle is started. A typical meet point cutting sequence, which if you want the stone to be within 0.1mm and the meets flawless under a 10x loupe at the girdle doesn’t work.
So well into the pavilion with my own cutting sequence which is going well, will concentrate on finishing it before getting back to the concave cutter.
Going to enter stones in the Gemboree 2021, there is a concave stone in that comp.

[FlashGP]

Hi Frank,

Great to hear.  I am also planning on entering the 2021 Gemboree.  It'll be good to have a concave section with more than 2 entries.

Would ypu mind if I posted your photo above on the new website.  A few members of Faceting Technical have mentioned they are interested in getting a machine so I thought it might inspire them to see 2 or 3 different ideas.  I am also going to ask Makky  because we each have approached the design from a different angle.

Regards
Gordon

[Faceting Frank]

No problem, when I get it finished and the bugs out of it, I’m going to post detailed info on how to make one.

[Faceting Frank]

I remember posting that I got my concave stone away in time for this years comp. but cant find where I posted it.
Anyway much to my surprise I came second out of three entries with a score of 93.05. So done some more work on it lately to get the auto oscillation bit working.

[Giel]

Did you make photo's of the stone you send in?
I am very curious what you have cut!

I have been wanting to make a concave cutter for years, but I have been struggling with my new faceting machine for a long time.
A machinist changed a lot of things about it, and I have just started cutting stones.
So for now I just want to cut some stones.....finally

[Faceting Frank]

No I didn't Giel.
You can find the cutting sheet on the Australian Facetors Guild website.

[FlashGP]

Hi Frank and Giel,

Hans is photographing place winning stones along with the medals and trophies for the AFG publication Facet Talk.  You'll be able to see the cut there. 

You cut a nice stone Frank.

Regards
Gordon

[Giel]

I checked the AFG website but could not find the photo's, maybe they are not uploaded yet.
Or maybe you have to be a member to view the photo's.

[FlashGP]

Hi Giel,  the results are on the website.  But the photos are going to be published in Facet Talk. 

Hans takes delivery of the trophies this sunday at our local guild meeting to photograph the trophy winning stones with the trophy, then sll the photos will be finished.

Regards Flash

[FlashGP]

Hi Giel and Frank,

John has already sent the next edition of Facet Talk to the printer so we are aiming to get the results and photos into the following edition. 

In the meantime we are seeing if we can post the lhotos on the Guild's website.  I'll let you know if we do.

Regards Gordon.

[Giel]

Let's hope that non members can also admire the photo's.
I am very curious to see the cut stones in the concave section!

[FlashGP]

Hi Guys,

The photos are up under the Competition results tab on the AFG website.

https://facetorsguild.com.au/AFG-Competition-results

Non members should be able to see them, but space restrictions mean they are a bit grainy.

[Faceting Frank]

Got my name mentioned a couple of times there, but nothing compared to the US competitor John Lee. His consistency was amazing.
I'm a member of the US faceters guild and compete in their comps, mentioned on their forum about John's success in our comp.

[FlashGP]

Hi Frank,

Yes, he had an impressive total and won two of the trophies.  But your results were pretty good also

Regards
Gordon