herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 473
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Post by herb on Jan 10, 2013 17:54:57 GMT -5
Not really a home made equipment question, but this seemed the best forum to post in. I acquired this faceting machine as part of a larger purchase last year. I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about it. I don't facet, so if someone could tell me what (if any) parts are missing, I'd appreciate it! It had this diamond coated plate installed: i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q722/Herb3845/wheel_180_zpse9e411ba.jpgBut that goes to a Crystalite Diamond Demon which I also picked up: i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q722/Herb3845/crytalite_zps3f819fa7.jpgI do have a plate that looks like it is made of brass that is stamped "600" on one side and "1200" on the other. It appears to be bare metal, not diamond coated. Could this be what goes to the Gem Maker? I guess you would have to add diamond paste then? Also, can anyone give me an idea of what a fair asking price for it is? Like I said, I don't facet, so I will probably want to sell it some day soon. Thanks, Herb Attachments:
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steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
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Post by steveo on Jan 10, 2013 21:12:16 GMT -5
180 grit will be for roughing and the 600 and 1200 is cutting. The brass lap is probably used with diamond power or paste, 600 on one side and 1200 on the other. Maybe some people put polish on the brass lap.
I have a 360 grit, 600 grit, 1200 and a 3,000 I use for pre polish. Would start with the 600 grit if the stone is small or softer. Then I have a blank lap to put thin plastic lap with Cerium Oxide or aluminum Oxide or tin Oxide for polishing. Also lap with 8,000 grit diamond on one side and 50,000 on the other.
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quartz
Cave Dweller 
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Jan 10, 2013 22:51:47 GMT -5
We have one w/o faceting head, I think maybe newer than yours. Ours has a stand made of a metal rod, with a water drip reservoir, valve, and hose on it. The stand goes into the hole in the cast boss in the tray.
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Post by Woodyrock on Jan 11, 2013 1:10:19 GMT -5
The B & I Gem Makers came in two sizes. 6", and 8" and included lap plates, faceting gear, a rock vise for sawing, water drip, and a few other attachments. We have one that we use mostly for lapping flats for doing opal doublets, plus preforms for knapping. I could find an old advertisement showing the whole rig if you like.
Woody
BTW, B&I's are great wee machines for cabbing if you like horizontal wheels.
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robsrockshop
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2012
Posts: 715
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Post by robsrockshop on Jan 11, 2013 7:12:47 GMT -5
It will bring $200 on ebay if you'll ship it. If you want to sell it locally ask $100 and accept $75. Don't bother getting extra discs for it you'll just lose money, sell it as is.
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 473
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Post by herb on Jan 11, 2013 18:59:07 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the information! My Gem Maker is the 6 inch model. I knew I was missing the water drip, but now I know what that hole in the base is for! Woodyrock, if you could send me the ad showing the entire setup, that would be great! I am surprised that these things also came with a rock vise. I thought this was strictly for faceting. It would be great to see a picture of the vise too, as I might have it mixed in with the box of misc doodads I also have. For the Crystalite Diamond Demon, I have 180, 360, and 600 disks for Crystalite along with the disk I attached a picture of. You can't really read it in the picture, but the center says something like "ripple disc". It too is made by Cyrstalite. Not really sure what it's grit is, maybe 80? I am surprised that a machine like the Diamond Demon would have anything below the 180 grit disk, but who knows. There is also a disk that is labeled 50K grit, but it is unbranded and appears to just have a cloth face attached that you would have to charge with grit. Maybe that went with the Gem Maker too? Having never faceted, I assumed you needed to go through a progression of grits, just like for cabbing, so for the Gem Maker machine, I am surprised there is only one disk that is labeled 600/1200. I guess the others must have been lost. I am actually starting to think I might hang on to it, for use a a flat lap to do things like doublets that Woodyrock mentioned (which I have been wanting to have a go at!). Attachments:
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Post by Peruano on Jan 14, 2013 19:12:40 GMT -5
Herb, gemstone.smfforfree4.com/index.php/topic,11908.0.html The above site is a thread about Sears marketed units, some of which were sold under the name Companion Gem Maker that are remarkably similar (identical) to the B&I for which you are seeking information. While the thread is a convoluted one, scan it and you will see two units similar to yours (with different names) and one will show the vice in situ. If you need a better photo of the vice let me know. I don't have all of the gem maker accessories but just the flat lap chassis and the vice. Tom |
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