Lapidaryforum.net
General Category => Welcome! => Topic started by: geartech on October 09, 2021, 08:45:27 AM
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Hi all, I got bitten by the gem and gold mining bug this summer after we moved out to Montana from Alabama.
I've always been interested in gems and faceting and I finally bought a faceting machine this week, Found a deal on a MDR Master 102 with everything needed to start and then some.
came with 4 index wheels, 6 different laps, cant even count the different rough gems and dops that he included along with diamond compound from 10,000 to 100,000 mesh.
Working on setting up a spot in my hobby/workshop this weekend and reading the myriad of books that came with everything.
The biggest question I have is about a saw to trim and cut the rough gems to size before faceting, any thoughts on what to get would be great and any other items that I might need along with to get started.
Thanks
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Welcome to the forum!
For facet rough you'll want a saw similar to the one in this link:
https://www.riogrande.com/product/lil-trimmer-saw/203110
A 6" is usually the smallest you'd need for anything else.
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Welcome to the forum!
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Found a saw like the one mentioned above and have it on the way, good thing is the wife has gotten bitten as well and now wants a setup to do cabochons so I get to buy another toy and have her approval.
I'm still reading and figuring out what laps do what and how to use the Last lap along with the ceramic lap and the different diamond and cerium powders that were included with it.
Spent yesterday going over the machine, cleaning and checking everything for wear along with lubricating it where needed.
Think I will start my first test with some of the synthetic materials that came with it before moving on to the gems I have collected over the years.