Aussie Lapidary Forum
LAPIDARY => Gemstone Faceting => Topic started by: Gem Ranger on April 09, 2016, 10:21:13 PM
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Hi All,
I was recently fortunate to acquire a second hand 2003 VJ faceting machine. The previous owner had passed on. It came with some laps, dops, transfer jig and rough. No tools or 'extra bits' could be located. I've since cleaned it and parts seam to turn fine and the motor works. I've contacted the manufacturer for replacement belts and the manual. I've more or less figured out how one would cut a stone on it but need to fit the replacement belts before I can give it a run.
My question is that for those that own a VJ, what are some of the key things to keep an eye on, and what might the machine be worth? I have a Gemmasta that I'm happy with but the VJ promises greater angle accuracy. Also, is there anyone in Brisbane that services these machines?
Cheers,
Gem Ranger
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Wow, Gemranger it's not even that old. I reckon you could sell if in ok condition for $2500 minimum. But if it presents well, I'd be trying for $3500 which I think is still less than half the price of a new one.
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The manufacturer of the VJ machines is at Childers , phone 0741262155, so I'd take it to him for any service.
If the VJ is in good condition I'd sell the Gemmasta and keep the VJ.
Just my opinion.
John
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The manufacturer of the VJ machines is at Childers , phone 0741262155, so I'd take it to him for any service.
If the VJ is in good condition I'd sell the Gemmasta and keep the VJ.
Just my opinion.
John
I tend to agree - the VJ's are great machines and that one is not too old. If it checks out, is probably a better machine than your gemmasta.
cheers
Leah
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Cheers Guys, I was thinking of hanging on to the VJ but need to get my head around it. The belts should arrive soon so I can give it a run. Perhaps it doesn't need servicing. I can't see my self heading to Childers any time soon.
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My VJ was purchased new and has been an excellent machine. I have used a mast-type machine - a Gemmasta - when I first started but I prefer the design features of the VJ. It took me a while to understand why so many people with other machines use a table adaptor - the VJ does not require one and Mal does not make one for it since you have extremely fine control over the height by raising/lowering the lap rather than moving the cutting head down a column to meet the lap
Very, very accurate - the only thing I would not bother with is the digital angle readout if yours came with one. It must have a perfectly constant power supply, any fluctuations and the display will also fluctuate. The manual protractor is accurate enough to render the digital readout largely just whistles and bells in my opinion - it is spot on to 1/10th of a degree and you should be able to get very close to 1/20th without needing anything digital. I think it comes down to the fact that the mast is just one big protractor. When the arc of a protractor would form a circle more than a foot in diameter if continued around, it becomes very much easier to accurately split one degree into tenths or even smaller without any electronics required - precision engineered parts and smart design concepts.
Enjoy your machine beers
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Lucky you, Gem Ranger, I love the VJ but having carried one in to the clubrooms for one of the other members, they weigh a ton! I've watched this one in use and would have one if I could afford it, but at the moment my Facetron is easier to carry and I'm happy with it. Now with a Lotto win, well things could change!
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Good to know Lefty. I did wonder about the digital readout.
Your not wrong Bucket. I tweaked my back carrying it to the car but fortunately it settled down there after.
The belts and manual have now arrived and I should be able to give it a run soon.
GR
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I agree about the weight of the VJ machine. I can't take my machine to the Club because I have difficulty moving it by myself - in addition I have to get it up a flight of stairs to get it to the garage and into the car so it stays put.
Re the digital readout . I have had the machine for about 8 years and have had no problems with the digital readout. Also the other VJ owners in our Club report no problems . We used to have voltage variations where we live - until a new transformer was installed in our street our voltage would drop below 200v. at peak periods and it didn't ever affect the digital readout. Happily the new transformer keeps our voltage to acceptable levels.
If your machine has the digital readout I would suggest discussing it with Mal Johnson.
My verdict - the digital readout is absolutely tops.
John
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Cheers John. For me its a question of whether the $1,000 for a digital readout is worth it. If I decide to swap machines and go the VJ then I'll give it some consideration. I think too, the machine needs to go back to the manufacturer to get the digital readout fitted.
GR
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Could be just my readout then. I had considered sending it back but once I knew that they could have issues, it became difficult to actually trust one again. The digital readout is not really necessary given the accuracy of the manual protractor. I doubt you would be able to see a difference between 45.00 degrees and 45.02 degrees. One pro cutter told me that the main reason that angles are often given in hundredths on a faceting diagram is because gem design software tends to come up with that when numbers are crunched, not because .02 of a degree actually makes a discernible difference. One tenth, yes but I think one fiftieth is starting to become irrelivent.
But as always in faceting - find what works for you and do that :) If you like digital displays then go for it. The nice big glowing red numbers are easy to look at anyway.
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Lefty ,
We agree that the manual angle setting on the VJ is great, and I regularly check the digital readout against the manual and they always agree. So it's a belt and braces approach.
Whether having a setting to two decimal places is necessary has always been a hot debate and I think that it is not necessary for most faceting. A tenth of a degree is probably quite adequate for most faceting and the two decimal place phenomenon exists because the Gemcad program automatically calculates to that degree. But if you have the ability to set a machine to the two decimal places of each angle you won't do any harm to the resultant stone !!
Keep on enjoying your VJ - I hope you'll be as happy as I have been.
John
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I just spotted a post on the AFG forum that Mal is no longer making the VJ Faceting machine :o :'( ... what a shame. It sounds like it was getting a strong following.
I wonder what that does for existing units - increase the value as they become harder to get, or decrease the value as spare parts can't be bought. Any thoughts?
Cheers,
GR
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Hi,
It is a Real pity to Loose another Good Faceting Machine option,the old VJ machines are robust so should hold there Value well just like we see with
units like the Facetrons.
Not having Support for Spares and Repairs will be a issue ongoing but there are ways to keep a Basically well built unit going long term.
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Hi Andrew,
I received a response from Mal. He indicated he's semi retiring and currently completing final orders. He will honour warranty, parts and repairs for a while yet.
Who knows, perhaps the brand will be purchased by someone down the track - we can only hope.
Cheers,
GR
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Hi all,
Mal has started up again. His son in-law will be taking over the business. It will no longer be call Sapphire Engineering but will be known as VJ Faceting I think. He is located in Childers QLD. I found them on line whilst looking for a new machine to buy. Turns out their workshop is 5 min from my house. I visited his workshop and have placed an order. New designs within the base plates and the drive more is now a 12v type making the total unit weight approx. 5kg lighter.
I pick up my new machine early June.