Wishing to purchase a new faceting machine

[RoughCreations]

I adjusted my dial indicator the other day so it reads 3 on the little dial (3 revolutions of the dial or 150/10000") and it seems to be working more reliably.

I was never very happy with the interface between the indicator dial and Facetron handpiece/quill mechanism on my machine. The encoder now circumvents this problem.

Anyway, I have mounted a cheap USB microscope on my Facetron.

I like the microscope modification and will do similar with my machine at some stage.

My conclusion is that I am not sure if an encoder will be of any use now I have a microscope.

The encoder really comes into its own when the aim is to cut an early tier of facets to the same depth, to which later tiers are met by eye (or microscope).
RC

[MakkyBrown]

The encoder really comes into its own when the aim is to cut an early tier of facets to the same depth, to which later tiers are met by eye (or microscope).

If your machine is consistent and the dop is straight you can cut all tier to depth after setting the depth on the first facet in the tier. I often set the depth fractionally short of the meet on later tiers just to be sure i don't over cut.MB

[yakapari]

So now comes the time to purchase some Laps for the VJ !

From memory when I was last learning to facet I used 180,600 and 1200 grit laps and polished with a tin lap using Linde A.
As I will be faceting with quartz for quite sometime before my skills become better, and I become familiar with the VJ, with a bit of research (and current availability) I have decided on the following laps for a quartz setup only:

1 x 260 crystalite standard / preforming
1 x 600 crystalite standard / cutting in facets
1 x 1200 crystalite standard / pre-polish
1 x Creamway Lap / final polish

Not a cheap kit, am I on the right track?  Advice and comments are greatly appreciated!

[Pro-oz]

I use 360, 600 and cut and pre-polish with 1200 on copper, polish every thing with 60,000 on a tin lap. Works for me.

Cheers, Pro-oz.

[yakapari]

polish every thing with 60,000 on a tin lap. Works for me.

Cheers, Pro-oz.

Thanks Pro oz, that is an option if I were to have problems with a Creamway.

I would prefer to learn and experiment polishing with diamond powder at a later point, (hence why the creamway is on my list) without becoming overwhelmed with learning to use the machine and basic faceting at home. Maybe that is the wrong approach and I should just dive into the deep end.

There is such a myriad of info on the net for beginners, mostly outdated as well. I did not know toppers were a thing!
I would love to introduce myself at my local Gem Club, but sadly its closed due to covid.

[RoughCreations]

I would prefer to learn and experiment polishing with diamond powder at a later point, (hence why the creamway is on my list) without becoming overwhelmed with learning to use the machine and basic faceting at home. Maybe that is the wrong approach and I should just dive into the deep end.

Hi, I do a lot of quartz, particularly the bigger stones. I have a Creamway, however I find that I rarely use it. It is much slower than cerium oxide on a Darkside Lap (my preference), and the finish I obtain with the cerium/Darkside combination with quartz is spot-on.
RC

[yakapari]

Hi RoughCreations, a Darkside lap would of been on my list if I could have found one in stock anywhere in Aus!

Today I may have bought the last 6" Creamway lap I could find online anywhere.
I decided to go down a different path and purchased a master lap, metallic add on, and 360, 600, 1200 plain back toppers.
-
So thats the laps sorted now, I figure the toppers should suffice until I develop my skills further, then later look at crystalite laps or similar, and learn polishing in more traditional ways with diamond grits/pastes and copper laps.

(Thanks for super quick dispatch Leah!)

[RoughCreations]

Hi RoughCreations, a Darkside lap would of been on my list if I could have found one in stock anywhere in Aus!

That wrecks that idea I guess. Another option is to use a perspex disk with cerium oxide, you could make one yourself pretty easily, Bunnings sell thick perspex pieces. The Creamway lap may be to your liking, particularly with smaller quartz stones.

Today I may have bought the last 6" Creamway lap I could find online anywhere.
I decided to go down a different path and purchased a master lap, metallic add on, and 360, 600, 1200 plain back toppers.
-
So thats the laps sorted now, I figure the toppers should suffice until I develop my skills further, then later look at crystalite laps or similar, and learn polishing in more traditional ways with diamond grits/pastes and copper laps.

(Thanks for super quick dispatch Leah!)

Keep us all in the loop when you get started!
RC

[yakapari]

Another option is to use a perspex disk with cerium oxide, you could make one yourself pretty easily, Bunnings sell thick perspex pieces.

Now that could be a great rainy day project!

Keep us all in the loop when you get started!
RC

Sure! Maybe I will post some unboxing pics of the VJ 

[Aussie Sapphire]

Hi RoughCreations, a Darkside lap would of been on my list if I could have found one in stock anywhere in Aus!
Today I may have bought the last 6" Creamway lap I could find online anywhere.
(Thanks for super quick dispatch Leah!)

Have Darksides on the way - we get regular Gearloose orders so if there is something missing online that you want, just let me know and I will add it to next order.  We were cleaned out of most things over xmas/January so have a restock order in transit now.

cheers
Leah

[Ghost]

Darkside with cerium for quartz is good, then when you move to harder material you can also use the Darkside with Diamond powder thus needing only 1 polishing lap.
I use copper with 3000 diamond for prepolish.
Cheers,   Ghost.

[MakkyBrown]

Another option is to use a perspex disk with cerium oxide, you could make one yourself pretty easily, Bunnings sell thick perspex pieces.

Now that could be a great rainy day project!

Keep us all in the loop when you get started!
RC

Sure! Maybe I will post some unboxing pics of the VJ 

If making yourself you want to get extruded acylic/perspex not cast, it maybe worth getting it from a plastics supplier. Many have laser cutters aswell, so you could make a simple cad file and get them to cut a few.
Some of the cast acylic/perspex I have has really poor thickness tolerance/variation(like +/- 0.5mm for 6mm sheet), extruded sheet is a lot better with some products better than others. Worth asking for a spec sheet regarding the product you are buying.

CheersMB

[MakkyBrown]

There is a Hall Extra for sale, Gladstone QLD. Ad say little. $2300 if anyone is interested.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/4671991472918778/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A8db78c77-8a2c-4514-8a08-1ace09e08f78

[yakapari]

I received my VJ, well worth the wait, thanks everyone who helped 

[RoughCreations]

Looking good!
Please post some reviews and/or experiences you have with your new machine.
RC