How many members are using the Chinese Faceting machines?

[JBK]

True Ghost, I thought I had a pic prior machining the bottom plate ( but no) it was about 2.5mm out from what the guy at the workshop said.

[JBK]

Here is me thinking surely they can’t be all that bad. It’s a different country (India) right? Well this is what a 45 degree table dop looks like.

[JBK]

45 =42.88 degrees

[JBK]

[Faceting Frank]

That’s pathetic, not even close to 45deg. If your machine has a hard stop, then this won’t be a problem. You can put the 45deg dop in the chuck and adjust the hard stop till the 45deg dop lies flat on the lap. So, you will now be cutting the table using the hard stop to control the depth of the table. I don't know what other facetors do, but I have always cut the table that way.

[Faceting Frank]

Ah, got that wrong, will think a bit more about it.

[JBK]

Yes, seems there is no quality control. You are right hard stop and fine adjustment (angle and high) is present on the machine. I have reset the hole to 45degree and set it with epoxy.

[Faceting Frank]

The thing I thought may be wrong with my statement is what if the hole for the dop in the 45deg dop holder is not square to the flat surface of the holder.

[JBK]

I'll let the epoxy set overnight and recheck, but the bottom seem to be straight.

Added cost to the machine

[JBK]

Added cost to the machine 500W step down transformer $52.00 (eBay)

[JBK]

Forgot to mention the cost of the machine. It came with 1000 grit top lap, master lap, wax, 4xdops, some hex keys, splash tray, via Amazon in US dollars.

[JBK]

Does have forward and reverse speed controller from 0 to around 2800 RPM. The water container/holder is ok however the plastic flexi hose is rubbish and leaks.

[JBK]

Total cost so far

[RoughCreations]

The base and housing look pretty solid on your machine, lots of room to install bits underneath down the track. Regarding the bent mast, would it be possible to press the mast into a solid disk of alloy, then get just the base turned on a lathe, like the Facetron mast? This is assuming the mast itself is straight - rolling it on the base would quickly reveal any issues.

The photo below shows the one-piece black anodised Facetron mast. By turning the base on a lathe you get a vertical mast. Ignore the facet head, it's an old "Little Jewel" assembly that I also have that I was having a laugh with at the time.

[RoughCreations]

Incidentally, just to add an extra unknown into your equation (sorry!) my Facetron 45 degree adapter is 0.5 degrees out, and so is MB's Gemmasta 45 degree adapter. This was confirmed as we both have optical encoders to use as a check. I suspect this problem is widespread with possibly many table adapters from many makes inaccurate out there... It is ironic as many instructions on how to periodically align your faceting machine use the table adapter as a key component, with the assumption that your adapter is a precision item, sigh.

https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=6985.msg61318#msg61318

RC