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Post by docone31 on Apr 10, 2020 7:04:21 GMT -5
I have an Ultratec, and a Ray-Tec Shaw. The Ultratec is an 8" and heavy. Dampens most vibrations. Good solid machine. The Ray-Tec Is smaller and lighter. 6" and the dop hand, or quill holder, is removeable. THat is another good feature. The Ultratec has symetrical dops, and the Ray-Tec has keyed dops. Another feature. The Ultratec takes a 45* dop holder for table facets, and the Ray-Tec goes 90*
If I were starting out on faceting, again, I would do the Ray-Tec. Just like I did. The UltraTec came later.
My first faceted stone was an Emerald from North Carolina. It came out great, and my wife still has it. First try!
Want power can sure lead the way.
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flminer56
starting to shine!
Im a certified us faceters guild novice gem cutter as of 4/20
Member since September 2017
Posts: 37 
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Post by flminer56 on Apr 13, 2020 16:45:54 GMT -5
Youre right paul, thats my friend lowjiber. he really likes the machine. Im upgrading my v2 soon to the digital display. This should make repeatability much easier for me. I also find after cutting a tier that my angle setting seems to have slipped slightly and ive cut at a lesser angle than when i started. Maybe just wear on the material used for the stop locking mech. is causing this . Maybe being able to see the angle in bright blue numerals will help my tired eyes.
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flminer56
starting to shine!
Im a certified us faceters guild novice gem cutter as of 4/20
Member since September 2017
Posts: 37
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Post by flminer56 on Apr 13, 2020 16:49:46 GMT -5
Doccne: do you like using the raytec better than the UT? The idea of moving the stone up to my eye intrigues me . With the mast machines, its really hard when doing the girdle facets to get the stone where i can see it correctly to examine the cutting progress.
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slomoshun
starting to shine!
Experienced bad influence
Member since April 2018
Posts: 38
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Post by slomoshun on Apr 13, 2020 23:08:27 GMT -5
....The idea of moving the stone up to my eye intrigues me . With the mast machines, its really hard when doing the girdle facets to get the stone where i can see it correctly to examine the cutting progress. Yes, you can bring the work up to your eye for close examination, but the Raytech will not be an upgrade for you. It will not provide the repeatable precision that you get with the Ultratec. The handpiece needs to be recalibrated to establish ‘zero’ for each new job if during the previous cutting you adjusted either of the feet, and that will likely happen after transferring from pavilion to crown. There is inconsistency with how accurately the dops seat into the quill which adds to the adjustment challenges. It is routine to frequently adjust something to obtain and maintain symmetry. If you have good spatial perception and are willing to accept the machine for what it is, a Raytech is capable of cutting fine stones. But, to get there you will have more stress and apply considerably more time and effort than you do with your V2. Platform machines are popular in cutting mills because they are faster handling, but those shops are not striving for precise meet points. |
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dirtsifter
Cave Dweller 
Co to za kamyczek?
Member since September 2022
Posts: 402
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Post by dirtsifter on Nov 3, 2022 7:59:21 GMT -5
I'd like to add a little to this conversation. I too spent a lot of time on GemologyOnline before I ever bought a machine. I read every single thing ever wrote on every forum. Since then I have come to own many, many machines. I always have bought used because that's what I could afford. 2 80's Ultratecs and then I got my dream, a used Polymetric Scintillator with an OMF fantasy machine. I have to say the Polymetric is an amazing machine though like the ultratec, its pricey. I think buying used is fine if you have any kind of mechanical knowledge. Most faceting machines are super simple and just by closing looking at them you can see how everything works and then you can take it apart and make sure everything is straight, lubed, tight, etc. A few years after learning to facet, I move to Thailand and started training with Thai, Sri Lankan, and Swiss cutters and I transformed from a self taught American cutter using the American idea of "rewriting the wheel" for every stone and every user, to being indoctrinated into a historical lineage of faceting techniques and practices. I must say there is a big difference in the approach and mentality between American/Australian and everyone else, but its not worth bringing up here. My point is that I started using different kinds of machines, specifically the imahashi style handpiece thats made in Sri Lanka. I have truly fallen in love. I have the handpiece machine at work and the Polymetric at home and when I cut at home I wish I had the handpiece there. I am seriously considering selling my Polymetric for a sri lankan machine though likely ill just save up and have both. I think I can cut just as well on both but way faster and easier with a handpiece. There is a little learning curve when coming from a mast machine but once you learn what you need its a really flexible, comfortable and fun machine. I teach on these machines now and its super easy for the student to learn and understand. I feel like often on the forums people talk down the handpiece because it isn't "precise" enough but I will say from my experience that If your goal is to make beautiful stones then the machine is more than good enough. If you are in the US and worried about parts and availability and shipping then go for a Raytech but if you can find one, check out the original Imahashi or a Sri Lankan made on such as the Sterling machine. Price is great on the sri lankan, machine is too. Also for everyone who is facing the same conundrum, I started a series of videos to show people how different machines work. I don't have a video for every machine yet but as I run into them, I video them. Here is the links: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSKAi6gpaAXW2kVeCiqc6sILG1YvKU2wEJust discovered you, Jason...on Currently Rock Hounding. I must say you have sent me quite down the rabbit hole. Currently I don't have the funds at present to begin such an endeavor as cutting gems but I must say watching some of your youtube videos gave me excitement shivers. I recently picked up some rough amethyst from a rock shop in Davenport Iowa which contain some of the deepest blue I've seen in my limited foray into the world of lapidary and though, my goodness it seems like it would make some nice gems if cut right. Crazy to see you here. Coincidence or fate? I'm just a beginner really in even rock tumbling but boy , seeing you cutting stones really got my attention. I think you got Jarad's attention as well LOL. In one of my earlier posts .. "I think I have lost my mind" succinctly generalizes what is/has happened to me. I will be following you and considering if this is a wild goose chase LOL I've been up to many hours so please forgive my rambling. |
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Post by Pat on Nov 3, 2022 10:31:58 GMT -5
RTH does have a dedicated faceting section.
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 4, 2022 0:22:19 GMT -5
RTH does have a dedicated faceting section. I don't think there was one yet over 5 years ago when this thread started, I own a Graves Mk1 that is used for intarsia, and enough Sapphire brand facetor parts to make a real nice one with all the accessories plus a bare bones one. I guess they were pretty popular in the day, their design makes them very precise as a facetor, and completely unsuitable for what I wanted to do with them. |
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Thesilversmith
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2015
Posts: 12
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Post by Thesilversmith on May 19, 2023 5:47:45 GMT -5
Boy howdy has this site fallen off
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on May 19, 2023 8:57:26 GMT -5
Boy howdy has this site fallen off Welcome back from someone who wasn't here. Forums are about participation Maybe you should step up. You've averaged 1.5 posts per year! |
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Mar 13, 2024 0:55:47 GMT -5
Super information here. I'm novice faceter with an old Graves Mark IV, but had a chance to use a Facetron and an Ultra Tec V2 while taking a basic faceting course at William Holland School for Lapidary Arts - check out their web site. We used Lightning Laps and I found them efficient and economical, so I bought a set for myself. For anyone who, like me, wants to learn a lapidary craft in a gorgeous mountain setting, from expert instructors, you need to check them out. They have basic, clean accommodations, and a superb dining hall. The school is located in Young Harris, Georgia, near the North Carolina border. All this for about $500 a week last I checked. It's an easy drive to Franklin, NC, a wonderful rockhound destination in itself. Air connections are fairly easy into Atlanta, Dalton, Chattanooga, or Charlotte.
Check it out!
Mark H.
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on May 22, 2024 9:12:00 GMT -5
Super information here. I'm novice faceter with an old Graves Mark IV, but had a chance to use a Facetron and an Ultra Tec V2 while taking a basic faceting course at William Holland School for Lapidary Arts - check out their web site. We used Lightning Laps and I found them efficient and economical, so I bought a set for myself. For anyone who, like me, wants to learn a lapidary craft in a gorgeous mountain setting, from expert instructors, you need to check them out. They have basic, clean accommodations, and a superb dining hall. The school is located in Young Harris, Georgia, near the North Carolina border. All this for about $500 a week last I checked. It's an easy drive to Franklin, NC, a wonderful rockhound destination in itself. Air connections are fairly easy into Atlanta, Dalton, Chattanooga, or Charlotte. Check it out! Mark H. Good info Mark! As has been noted recently in this thread there are not a lot of dedicated faceters who post here (which is why faceting was lumped with flat lapping for now) but please feel free to post this information in a new thread of it's own? William Holland is a good school that a lot of us are familiar with and it deserves an good plug thread - not sure where it would best fit on the forum because they cover such a diverse range of lapidary arts. |
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