Thanks for the info. I learned on a Graves with a analog head and then upgraded to the digital head when it become available many years ago. I've only cut on the Graves. Other members of my local gem society were always amazed at my cuts of the month, especially when many of them were using Ultratecs, Facetrons, and GM 11, and they knew I was cutting on a Graves. Granted, I wasn't cutting to make money like they were, but rather for the love of cutting. Despite this, I recently learned in the time it took me to cut one stone, other members had already cut three. It' became clear roughly 8 times out of 10, I could match them on quality of cut, but, I could not match them in the speed they were cutting at that quality; because of this, I'm considering upgrading and I greatly appreciate your breakdown. There's some other machines I'm considering too, but I appreciate the take on two of the biggest names for American made facet machines. One a side note, my jaw dropped when I went to Ultra Tec's website and saw what they are charging for accessories; Holly cow!
@@SethParr as you know, the devil's in the details. There is a measurable difference in quality from one machine to another and that's for all machines. Graves is a very respectable machine and responsible for some quality faceting. What you'll find with the very upper end is obviously great repeatability thus more timely completion. That being said precision and efficiency can't coexist. You'll always give up one for another. For the stones and quality you expect from yourself it'll always be a timely adventure but you time won't be in vain with a machine that has great repeatability. For that it seems to come in a very flat deck and a very rigid mast. Besides getting a new machine is always fun! Happy cutting my friend.
I learned on a graves mk 1. When I got ultra tec v2 it was a remarkable upgrade for me (even though my Mk1 was souped up by a friend with a nice motor and upgraded speed controller). I recently got a used V5 and it felt like an upgrade of similar magnitude from the V2. I haven't tried a facetron and I have at least one customer who prefers his over the ultra tecs he's tried, but I imagine it would be a similar upgrade over a Graves. Don't get me wrong, that Graves has a special place in my heart, but I'm not about to cut in it again.
@@AngryTurtleGems Your last sentence cracked me up :). I like to think of the Graves as the fishing equipment you grabbed to go fishing when you're eight years old. Not the best out there, but completely functional, and the process still enjoyable.
@@showmewhatyoucanmakenotwha8427 did you just decide that? I clearly lay out pros and cons for both. If you have something to add we'd love to hear it but I'm not sure we can take you word as gospel just because you say it. What do you base your opinion on? Try that angle. 👍🏻
@@DavidLeegemstones this is my opinion as a machinist tool maker and designer i own 7 different faceting machines i also make my own machines and repair others people faceting machines , i tell people all the time one thing is to facet gemstones and a different thing is to understand the mechanics of your faceting machine , your opinion is base as a facetor , i am tellingyou as a machinist and tool designer that the ultratec is a way better build machine than the facetron in many mechanical and design aspects .
@@showmewhatyoucanmakenotwha8427 Well I think you're making a few assumptions about me but let me ask you who else would you want to base those opinions on? Your or my ability to machine tools or parts mean nothing as it has to do with what the end result of these machines. I'm quite sure the engineering professionals at either company would have a hard time polishing kunzite no matter how well they are on a lathe. Who do you think they take direction from? Cutters. So again I ask, what do you base your opinion on? Your self described skills as a machinist? I appreciate your joy in fabrication but have you owned a facetron? Have you owned an ultra tec? If so how long did you cut on each one? How did each perform in your opinion? Those are the metrics that can be measured. Not ones skill at drilling stainless. So you'll have to excuse me if I reject your opinion as the end all be all based on what you've had to say here. And I won't assume your skill level on any format but it would be helpful to know that you can in fact even cut a stone. That would be a good place to start.
Thanks for the info. I learned on a Graves with a analog head and then upgraded to the digital head when it become available many years ago. I've only cut on the Graves. Other members of my local gem society were always amazed at my cuts of the month, especially when many of them were using Ultratecs, Facetrons, and GM 11, and they knew I was cutting on a Graves. Granted, I wasn't cutting to make money like they were, but rather for the love of cutting. Despite this, I recently learned in the time it took me to cut one stone, other members had already cut three. It' became clear roughly 8 times out of 10, I could match them on quality of cut, but, I could not match them in the speed they were cutting at that quality; because of this, I'm considering upgrading and I greatly appreciate your breakdown. There's some other machines I'm considering too, but I appreciate the take on two of the biggest names for American made facet machines. One a side note, my jaw dropped when I went to Ultra Tec's website and saw what they are charging for accessories; Holly cow!
@@SethParr as you know, the devil's in the details. There is a measurable difference in quality from one machine to another and that's for all machines. Graves is a very respectable machine and responsible for some quality faceting. What you'll find with the very upper end is obviously great repeatability thus more timely completion. That being said precision and efficiency can't coexist. You'll always give up one for another. For the stones and quality you expect from yourself it'll always be a timely adventure but you time won't be in vain with a machine that has great repeatability. For that it seems to come in a very flat deck and a very rigid mast. Besides getting a new machine is always fun! Happy cutting my friend.
@@DavidLeegemstones That's awesome, David. Thank you. All the best to your cutting too!
I learned on a graves mk 1. When I got ultra tec v2 it was a remarkable upgrade for me (even though my Mk1 was souped up by a friend with a nice motor and upgraded speed controller). I recently got a used V5 and it felt like an upgrade of similar magnitude from the V2. I haven't tried a facetron and I have at least one customer who prefers his over the ultra tecs he's tried, but I imagine it would be a similar upgrade over a Graves.
Don't get me wrong, that Graves has a special place in my heart, but I'm not about to cut in it again.
@@AngryTurtleGems Your last sentence cracked me up :). I like to think of the Graves as the fishing equipment you grabbed to go fishing when you're eight years old. Not the best out there, but completely functional, and the process still enjoyable.
Hi,thanks
there is no questions to ask here the ultratech is a better made machine than the facetron . thats it
@@showmewhatyoucanmakenotwha8427 did you just decide that? I clearly lay out pros and cons for both. If you have something to add we'd love to hear it but I'm not sure we can take you word as gospel just because you say it. What do you base your opinion on? Try that angle. 👍🏻
@@DavidLeegemstones this is my opinion as a machinist tool maker and designer i own 7 different faceting machines i also make my own machines and repair others people faceting machines , i tell people all the time one thing is to facet gemstones and a different thing is to understand the mechanics of your faceting machine , your opinion is base as a facetor , i am tellingyou as a machinist and tool designer that the ultratec is a way better build machine than the facetron in many mechanical and design aspects .
@@showmewhatyoucanmakenotwha8427
Well I think you're making a few assumptions about me but let me ask you who else would you want to base those opinions on? Your or my ability to machine tools or parts mean nothing as it has to do with what the end result of these machines. I'm quite sure the engineering professionals at either company would have a hard time polishing kunzite no matter how well they are on a lathe. Who do you think they take direction from? Cutters. So again I ask, what do you base your opinion on? Your self described skills as a machinist? I appreciate your joy in fabrication but have you owned a facetron? Have you owned an ultra tec? If so how long did you cut on each one? How did each perform in your opinion? Those are the metrics that can be measured. Not ones skill at drilling stainless. So you'll have to excuse me if I reject your opinion as the end all be all based on what you've had to say here. And I won't assume your skill level on any format but it would be helpful to know that you can in fact even cut a stone. That would be a good place to start.