lastl98
spending too much on rocks
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Member since February 2007
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Post by lastl98 on Apr 3, 2007 13:09:13 GMT -5
Even though I'm very new to all of this my mind has just taken off on all the things that can be done with rocks! I've looked at a few faceting machines on Ebay & have looked through some of the manufacturers websites, reviews, opinions & the pitfalls to watch out for. My question is are there any people here that do it? Or have tried it? It looks very intimidating but then again a lot of the lapidary work I've already tried has been extremely rewarding! A faceting machine looks like you would need to know a lot about how light is refracted & probably would need a math degree to figure some of it out. Or am I wrong? Can just about anyone get fairly decent results just digging in, buying a fairly 'good' machine & take off from there? Anyone tried it or is doing faceting right now? Thanks as always everyone. Last ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
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Member since November 2005
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Post by rallyrocks on Apr 3, 2007 13:55:22 GMT -5
I haven't had a chance to try it, and I've had people tell me both that its really easy and that it's really intense and difficult, not sure who I believe.
Thing about it is, faceting machines are a lot more expensive than tumblers or grinders, and faceting rough is also more expensive than cabbing or tumbling rough, I seem to be able to spend enough money on the cheaper aspects of this rock game that I don't have the funds to think about playing facet-er, maybe someday though...
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Post by stoner on Apr 3, 2007 15:10:27 GMT -5
I believe Doc is the only faceter here, and he hasn't been around lately. I've got a lot of patience when it comes to crafting things, but I still find faceting way to tedious for me to want to even attempt it, not to mention the cost of the equipment and rough. Each facet has to be completed from rough grind to polish before moving on to the next facet. It might be fun to try, but I couldn't see myself doing it as much as I cut cabs.
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Post by rollingstone on Apr 3, 2007 15:15:26 GMT -5
There was someone here who did faceting a couple years ago using some fairly inexpensive equipment. I think it was more tedious than using an expensive machine, but he seemed to turn out some good practise stuff using glass. I think he disappeared before he had made many posts about it. It was Donwrob if I recall correctly. -Don
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Post by rollingstone on Apr 3, 2007 15:24:56 GMT -5
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falcon
starting to shine!
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Post by falcon on Apr 3, 2007 16:34:13 GMT -5
i'm with you on this, last... i've got an eye on faceting as well... but in the FAAAAAAAR off future. i think cabbing is the next logical step after i work out how to tumble. ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) maybe a dozen or so years down the road (if rocks still hold any interest for me ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) ). but i still check out the sites... here's one where you can build your own faceter: www.gearloose.com/newgem.html'course... it helps if you're a machinist ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) other sites i've been to (but can't seem to find now) have recipes/formulas on how to make the perfect teardrop, snowflake, frosted star, etc... and of course there are books with these formulae, so you don't need to worry about 'freehanding'. oh... here's something... www.faceters.com/designs/a bunch of designs, and a few freebees it's all way over my head... but who knows... one day ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) f.
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lastl98
spending too much on rocks
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Member since February 2007
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Post by lastl98 on Apr 3, 2007 16:42:52 GMT -5
Thanks so much rollingstone. It's really incredible what he accomplished & by hand! WOW~! I'm impressed & depressed at the same time. lol I knew the machine would be costly & was planning on maybe saving up for one so maybe by next Christmas? ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) But I'd no idea just how much more cost could be involved in finding material & the diamond paste, wheels, etc. etc. Arrrghh where does it end!@! Thanks for the links, I really enjoyed them. Last ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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lastl98
spending too much on rocks
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Member since February 2007
Posts: 410
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Post by lastl98 on Apr 3, 2007 16:46:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the links too falcon. This forum is so helpful & encouraging. Who knows someday I may get the dollars & the guts to go for it. I'll be happy with just reading about all of it for now. I was hoping there was someone here actively doing them too. Well, members join everyday so who knows? Last ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by Cher on Apr 3, 2007 16:54:46 GMT -5
Wow that is so cool, thanks for the links Don, that was really interesting.
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Post by akansan on Apr 3, 2007 17:17:12 GMT -5
Last - you might look through some more of the posts. I recall seeing somewhere plans for a hand-made faceter using tinkertoys (you know, wood dowel stuck in spindle with holes). Mount that to a flat-lap and away you go, if I remember correctly. Faceting interests me as well, but I figure I should at least use each piece of equipment I accumulate once before purchasing a new one. So, making cabs is next on my list. ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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snowdog
fully equipped rock polisher
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RIP David Fildes, aka: snowdog
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Post by snowdog on Apr 3, 2007 23:03:56 GMT -5
I friend of mine does it --- is a regular jeweler -- he keeps saying he will teach me but we've never found the time --- if you wanted to try it without spending alot of money --- get one of the old craftman flat laps ( like the one I just sold ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) ) -- they are egg shaped and if all the parts are there they had a post and arm (vise ) for sawing --- some had a faceting piece that fit somehow on that same arm or else it fit on the floor of the lap ( I've got one but haven't figured out how it all works yet) ---you want to try it? let me know ! ( it's old and rusty !!)--- you can sometimes find a faceting head handpiece on ebay and could set it up to use on any flat lap ------- one of the biggest things is knowing how the grain of the rock is running to get the most out of it --- need a good magnifying microscope to see that
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Post by parfive on Apr 4, 2007 0:06:23 GMT -5
Hey Don - I'm in the middle of reading the second link, and I guess it's true what they say about leopards never changin' their spots . . .
Rollingstone (in 2004): "I'd never have the patience for something like that...I'd be reaching for a hammer long before 12 hours had passed." ;D ;D ;D
Rich
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Member since July 2009
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Post by rollingstone on Apr 4, 2007 0:21:04 GMT -5
Oops, guess those hammers have been getting me in trouble for years!!!! ;D ;D ;D -Don
"It's hammertime....you can't touch this."
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Post by rocklicker on Apr 4, 2007 0:22:30 GMT -5
I've though about it but never tried it due to cost and the work involved. It seems like you can spend all afternoon on something the size of a pencil eraser. Granted and beautiful sparkley pencil eraser, but one nonetheless. I've heard it's rewarding. It seems like it would be a seperate science alltogether. If you get into it please keep us updated. Steve
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Post by parfive on Apr 4, 2007 0:29:32 GMT -5
Wow, those lap-laps were really gettin' snapped up a couple of years ago. I got a look at a guy's faceting workshop last year (he's an instuctor) and it was surgically spotless - all white formica cabinets and glass display units. Too damn clean for this grit-lovin' crowd. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Rich
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