brucew
starting to shine!
Member since February 2016
Posts: 33
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Post by brucew on Feb 14, 2017 22:28:18 GMT -5
I have a few question of anyone that knows faceting equipment, I am buying a bunch of used lapidary equipment, grinders, saws, polishers, and have a chance to get faceting equipment and all the extras, it is a prizmatic faceting machine. Is it a good brand ? It comes with lots of books, instructions, manuals, laps etc. Is there anything I should look at for wear etc. I want to learn faceting but don't know much about it yet. Was after the other things but will take the faceting equipment if it is good.
Any help and advise is very much appreciated.
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Post by Pat on Feb 14, 2017 22:38:33 GMT -5
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Feb 14, 2017 22:41:21 GMT -5
Prismatic faceting machines were very well made. The craftsmanship was top notch and they were state-of-the-art in their day. There were several models of Prismatic machines with several variations. The owner of Prismatic was constantly making improvements in design. The son of the man who made the Prismatic machines is Zane Hoffman. Zane currently makes the Poly-Metric line of faceting machines. The last I heard Zane will services his dad's line of machines. I've talked to Zane a few times on the phone and he is a great guy who always seems willing to answer questions. I would suggest finding out which model of Prismatic machine you're looking at, get a photo if you can, and get in touch with Zane Hoffman at Poly-Metric. He can probably answer all of your questions. Larry C. P.S. Here is a link to Zane's site that features some of his dad's Prismatic machines. This might help you I.D. the one you're looking at: www.polymetricinc.com/prismatic_information.htm |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 14, 2017 23:29:17 GMT -5
I find there are two subjects (besides politics and religion) that are sure to start arguments: opals and "what is the best faceting machine." brucew , here are some links that may help you: www.polymetricinc.com/www.polymetricinc.com/prismatic_information.htmI haven't used Prismatic machines so I can't really comment. Many people who do use them like them and say the factory support is top-notch. |
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Feb 15, 2017 13:54:34 GMT -5
I can't really add to what has been said above. With a little research I might be able to repeat it!!
The polymetric name is rock solid in facetting (forgive the pun).
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Post by Pat on Feb 25, 2017 23:34:39 GMT -5
I recently bought an old Raytech-Shaw faceting machine. The above RTHlings were a great help. I suspect there will soon be a FACETING section on this forum. Stay tuned!
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Apr 28, 2017 13:02:24 GMT -5
Just for info, I came across - via Jim Clark of the Yahoo facetters group (hope it is ok to re-post those numbers here) some stats on the machines used in USFG Single Stone Competitions. Note that not all entrants list the type of machine used:
2016 SSC
18 Facetron
16 Ultra-Tech
6 Graves
6 Raytech Shaw
2 Facette
2 Polymetric
2 Home made
2015 SSC
15 Facetron
7 Ultra-Tech
8 Graves
4 Facette
3 Polymetric
3 Home made
2 Lee
1 Raytech-Shaw
2013 SSC
19 Facetron
15 Ultra-Tech
7 Graves
4 Raytech Shaw
3 Facette
What I would take from this is that cutters on all of the above machines consider their stones to be worthy of competition entry. Of course one cutter might be over-confident and cr@p. Another might lack confidence and be great; yet a third might just not care. With low numbers like this, there will be as many variations in skill and attitude as there are facetters. However, if I cut a "dog's dinner" I know I wouldn't be entering it, so I suspect that at least more than competent jobs were undertaken by all entrants.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 29, 2017 9:54:29 GMT -5
Thank you for posting this information!
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geodes4u
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2009
Posts: 144
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Post by geodes4u on Apr 29, 2017 11:28:32 GMT -5
Not surprised by the top two, but the rest are. I believe the person with the stone in hard plays as much a part as does the machine they choose to use. This is good info for us. Thanks!
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