Author Archives: allan

New Polymetric Transfer Jig

Updated Feb 7, 2010 – added photos of the Polymetric Transfer Jig. On a tip from a reader I ordered a transfer jig from Polymetric. I finally have given it a try and it works much better than the stock … Continue reading →

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New Spindle Has Arrived!

As I wrote about in my New Spindle Design post, I have designed what I think is a better Spindle and Platen for my Omni faceting machine. And it’s just arrived today! I’ll write more later, but here are a … Continue reading →

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2 Hours + $5 = New Splash Bowl

I’ve been trying to find some time to put up a full post on this, but I just haven’t been able to. A couple of weeks ago I finally ran to the Dollar Store and picked up a bunch of … Continue reading →

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Replace Your Omni Bearings with Proper Ones

My Omni Faceting Machine shipped with NSK 6202VV bearings. These bearings are deep-groove ball bearings with double rubber seals – one on each side. However they are “non-contact” seals, meaning that the rubber does not touch the inner ring of … Continue reading →

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Omni Faceting Machine Can’t Use Topper Laps

Further to my complaint about the Spindle Hold-down Screw being inadequate and the Spindle itself not being the correct diameter so the laps slop around, I’ve now discovered that the Omni Faceting Machine can’t handle using cheap “topper” laps. Topper … Continue reading →

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Omni Faceting Machine Head Design Flaw

I’ve written on a bit about the Omni Faceting Machine head design in my GemologyOnline post. One thing that I noted was the Omni Facet Head has the index pin on the bottom of the head. At the time I … Continue reading →

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New Spindle Design

I’ve decided I want to have a new Spindle and Platen for my Omni, so I’ve drawn up a new design. The basic design is the same as the original Spindle and Platen except that the Spindle will extend above … Continue reading →

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Lap Hold-down Screw

The Lap Hold-down Screw that came with my Omni Faceting Machine is a small knurled screw with a right-hand thread. The standard washer that comes with it is brass. The problem with this is that it would undo itself as … Continue reading →

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Spindle Diameter is Off

The Omni Faceting Machine I received has a Spindle diameter that is too small for my laps. Every lap I have – Crystallite plated, old Maja Mfg Steel, Ceramic, Batt, Lightning Lap with standard 1/2″ arbor holes – all slop … Continue reading →

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Click on the These Titles

If you are having problems finding the photos, you need to click on the the titles of the posts… the software I’m using is meant for blogging which means it won’t show the full page of the item until you … Continue reading →

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