Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Feb 26, 2013 23:25:56 GMT -5
I have been looking for a flat lab here and there and came accross a Fac-Ette Gemmaster II on CL for a really decent price (I think) The company is now gone but was based in Seattle where I'm from. I am not interested in faceting but have read it can be used as a general flat lap for cab making. The post states that it does work seattle.craigslist.org/sno/jwl/3643626471.html but searching photos he does not show a pic of the The Electronic micro stop (EMS) meter. I don't know if that is needed for flat lap purposes but I am a bit confused about facet side of this unit. Parts are no longer available as of Dec 2012 from another thread I found on the unit. www.gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=15867&start=0I did find the manual online though from Fac-ettes old site fac-ette.com/pdfs/gemmasterII_manual.pdfI would love to utilize this machine for all its capable of but my current interest now and most likely in the future is making cabs. Do any members own this particular unit? Do you think I should call and find out more on the unit and is it worth it for use in making cabs? Are Lap discs still available for this setup? I thought about making a flat lap for fun but have been seeing quit a few online recently and haven't jumped. I am beginner to cabochons and basically want to buy something used and move into an Ameritool or other flat lap later on. I tried to search Fac-ette and Gemmaster but it looks as though someone used that name as their user name and searching by forum or google only shows post about the subject of this user name and not the product. Thank everyone for looking. I always value your input and thank you for letting us new guys throw so many questions at you  Cheers, Matt |
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Post by orrum on Feb 26, 2013 23:28:59 GMT -5
There is a flat lap for sale here, check it out.
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Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Feb 26, 2013 23:45:53 GMT -5
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 27, 2013 7:22:45 GMT -5
keep your eyes peeled to craigslist,ebay and estate sales and a great deal will eventually pop up. I got my 8" flat lap mounted to a stand with a 1/3 hp motor for $50. If possible I would really shoot for an 8". It might not seem like it but it gives a lot more room to move your cabs around and the diamond plates last longer since you have more surface area to move around on. I have used the inland and amertools but I would not trade my old 1950's unit for either of those. here's what I got for $50  Chuck |
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RocknCritter
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 489
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Post by RocknCritter on Feb 27, 2013 9:05:14 GMT -5
If the seller is really only asking $250 for this machine, RUN - RUN NOW and grab the thing! A faceting machine for $250 is cheap.
The last Fac-ette machines sold for $4000+. Even if you don't use this very much, at some point another Fac-ette owner will probably give your money back just to have an extra machine for parts.
And yes, you can still buy laps and discs. All faceting machines use the same laps and discs regardless of brand. Fac-ette machines use 8" laps yet if your in a pinch the 6" laps are cheaper.
Good luck and have fun.
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Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Feb 27, 2013 17:07:48 GMT -5
Poof that Gem master is gone over night. Wasn't in my life cards. I like the idea of building one but it seems like time gets the best of me lately. There is some really cool diy in the home made section. There just isn't enough time. I'll keep checking CL and RTH. I think an 8in is a great idea. I have a 6in Lortone Arbor and I'm 6' 5" tall and it's hard enough working with those wheels.
Cheers
Matt
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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 27, 2013 17:13:23 GMT -5
I see that the CL author has deleted the listing now so I don't know if you were lucky enough to buy it or not. I have a Fac-ette machine and like it very much. Fac-ette just closed their doors for good at teh end of last year. But my understanding is that the micro meters can still be purchased through the company that manufactured them for Fac-ette. If you need their contact info let me know and I will see if I still have it. A clean moderately used Fac-ette machine with micro meter, and all in good working condition starts at $2K and goes up depending on the accessories included. If you want to get into faceting, IMHO you couldn't find a better machine. If you were able to buy the Fac-ette on CL for a good price and are not looking to get into faceting and just want a flat lap, then you could probably sell the used Fac-ette for enough money to buy any brand new flat lap on the market and still have money left over to buy some cool cutting rough!
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Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Feb 27, 2013 17:45:48 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm bummed a bit. I was just minutes away from the seller too. It does wasn't in my cards to have.
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vee
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2019
Posts: 1
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Post by vee on Aug 14, 2019 23:50:24 GMT -5
I see that the CL author has deleted the listing now so I don't know if you were lucky enough to buy it or not. I have a Fac-ette machine and like it very much. Fac-ette just closed their doors for good at teh end of last year. But my understanding is that the micro meters can still be purchased through the company that manufactured them for Fac-ette. If you need their contact info let me know and I will see if I still have it. A clean moderately used Fac-ette machine with micro meter, and all in good working condition starts at $2K and goes up depending on the accessories included. If you want to get into faceting, IMHO you couldn't find a better machine. If you were able to buy the Fac-ette on CL for a good price and are not looking to get into faceting and just want a flat lap, then you could probably sell the used Fac-ette for enough money to buy any brand new flat lap on the market and still have money left over to buy some cool cutting rough! Quail River I stumbled on this forum while searching for the micrometer. can you give me the name of the manufacturer for the Fac-ette micro meter? |
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Aug 15, 2019 18:16:58 GMT -5
I see that the CL author has deleted the listing now so I don't know if you were lucky enough to buy it or not. I have a Fac-ette machine and like it very much. Fac-ette just closed their doors for good at teh end of last year. But my understanding is that the micro meters can still be purchased through the company that manufactured them for Fac-ette. If you need their contact info let me know and I will see if I still have it. A clean moderately used Fac-ette machine with micro meter, and all in good working condition starts at $2K and goes up depending on the accessories included. If you want to get into faceting, IMHO you couldn't find a better machine. If you were able to buy the Fac-ette on CL for a good price and are not looking to get into faceting and just want a flat lap, then you could probably sell the used Fac-ette for enough money to buy any brand new flat lap on the market and still have money left over to buy some cool cutting rough! Quail River I stumbled on this forum while searching for the micrometer. can you give me the name of the manufacturer for the Fac-ette micro meter? Sent you a PM. Larry C. |
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