Faceting by Snappa

[Ghost]

Hi all,

Mehoose...   Some machines have the locating pin at the bottom of the faceting arm / handpiece (eg most Hall Designs), whereas most machines have the locating pin at the top.   This doesn't cause a problem with transferring as 96 is in the same position both before and after.
However, it does cause you to think carefully when dopping for the shapes you mentioned otherwise you may have dopped the narrow part of the stone at the end where the diagram wants to put the wide end.
Three solutions.   Think carefully when dopping for non-symetrical shapes.   Redop the stone.   Transpose the facet numbers for both the pavilion and crown.   Not really a problem if you use the first solution.

Regards,

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Ghost

[mehoose]

AHA...thanks Ghost, that makes perfect sense now. Can stop scratching the head, that must have been what they were relating it to, the pin position.

You have a good one. 

[snappa]

Thanks Andrew

Great prices and now considering which one.

Tonite’s decision is not to go south.

Weather

I have decided to stay home and finish off the pulsator.


When the weather is more predictable a fishing trip for sure. I need to wet the gills before I head off to moranbah.


     snappa

[Andrew]

 Hi Snapper,
  Yes the weather looks lousy for at least the next 5 days
 Following up on my PM from last night Zane from Polymetric advised me he could get a Polymetric Xristal-Tek 99
finished and on its way by the end of December which would have it in our warehouse Mid January.

Cheers Andrew

 
 

[makes_things]

I'm relatively new to the faceting game, but here's my 2c...My faceting teacher swears by Facetron. I've not used one, so I can't speak for myself there. At my club they have a few different machines. I cut my very first stone on a Gemmasta, the second on a VJ, and the rest have been on a DIY machine and a cheapie head I bought from Gerald Wykhoff. If money was no object (if it wasn't, I would not have gone to the effort of DIY), I would be tempted to get a VJ. Why? It is the only machine I've seen that raises the grinding laps UP to meet the faceting head, instead of moving the faceting head DOWN to meet the grinding lap. What this means is that you dont' have to crane your neck/strain your eyes so far to see the polished facets, because the machine's design puts the stone closer to your head. Consider if you have any pre-existing neck or shoulder injuries - if you can get in front of a machine, see how close you can get the stone to your face, without leaning in, and what angle you have to hold your arm as you cut the stone. Holding your arm elbow-high will strain your shoulders unless you develop work-habits to counteract this.

If you want another source of machine reviews and a better idea of what laps to buy if you're focussing on sapphire, see Jeff Graham's pages. Start here http://www.faceters.com/beginners.shtml

[rikon450]

Hey Snappa
                Rik here mate , Dave called in on weekend and said hi the creek crossing is all good now , hard to get much work done but u got to socialise right lol.
         Helped Terry my brother set his plant up just behind us and will be heading back out on Fri hopefully to do some digging so will catch up with you when ya get here.

    Rik.