Lee Faceting Machine Head on Custom Base, Laps, Dops

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Lee Faceting Machine Head on Custom Base, with Laps and Dops Plus 35ct Citrine - cut on this machine A beautiful, well made, and accurate machine, with polished brass Lee Lapidary head and dops. The solid aluminum base was made by a machinist about 40 years ago, according to the owner. Billet aluminum legs with screw leveling rubber feet, and a 3-axis transfer jig with brass thumb screws, machined from solid aluminum. This machine has been cleaned, lubed, and tested, and works quite well. I will include the large 34ct. 20mm Square cut citrine (quartz) that I just finished on this machine. Multiple speeds selected by moving a V-belt between 2 pulleys. The idler pulley in the center slides in a slot on the base, and speed changes are easy and quick. Motor is 1/4 HP Craftsman, 115 Vac, 5.2A. The owner tells me it was stored for a long time, and doesn't appear to have seen much use. 48 solid brass dops, 5/16" diameter, (larger than 1/4" dops used by Facetron and Ultra-Tek) with slotted "keyed" ends. Sizes range from 3/4" to 1/16", Flat, Cone, and Vee shapes. 45 degree table adapter, also of solid brass. 9 brass index wheels, including 96, 80, 64 (marked) and 60, 32, 40 (2 each, not marked). The latter six were evidently made by this machinist, as they are not stamped with numbers. I recommend that you write the proper index numbers on those with colored sharpie pens, according to the faceting sequences you plan to cut most often. The custom made drip tank is 1/4" thick plexiglas, with a brass valve, very heavy duty. 's a drip tank that has withstood the test of time! Cosmetic stains and stress marks visible on the inside of the tank. Four 8" solid steel, brass, and copper laps that have been charged with diamond grit. 100 grit copper lap - very good surface, cuts aggressively but smoothly. Tin-Lead polish lap, grooved 600 grit brass lap - very good cutting action, leaves a pre-polish finish on quartz. "Type Metal" polish lap. I laid an ultralap on this one for polishing, and got very good results. See my finished stone picture. All these laps have sturdy cardboard boxes with lids for storage. Some laps are also charged with finer diamond grit on the reverse side. A tool made from a heavy steel bearing with a machined aluminum handle is included; it is used to roll and press diamond powder into the laps to recharge them. T is also an assortment of 30 Ultra Laps: Tin Oxide 1.2u, Cerium Ox 1.5u, Alum Ox 0.3u, Silicon carbide 3u, and 23u (u=micron). These are older Ultralaps that don't have a hole in the center, so just center one on the polish lap and cut out the center hole with an Xacto knife. Also includes some "Rez Disks" and a blue Poly pad. Also some small vials of diamond powder, evidently used to charge the laps, although it's hard to tell which goes on which lap. T are only tiny quantities of diamond dust left in most of the vials. Also includes some old faceting books:"The Book of Gem Cuts", both Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, published by MDR in 1971. Many "Facetier" newsletters from the 1970's, full of tips and faceting diagrams."Facet Cutters Handbook" by Edward Soukup. This is an excellent beginners book, and serves as an instruction manual for the machine. If you are a beginner, I can provide you with some setup instructions, and answer your questions via Email, to get you started. Overall dimensions of the machine are 37"L x 13"W x 18"H and it weighs about 55 lbs. You will need a 3/4" wrench or socket for the lap nut, and a 1/4" Allen wrench for belt changes (not included). Due to the weight of these solid metal laps, dops, plus the machine, shipping will be in two boxes. Local pickup in San Diego is recommended, as the shipping gorillas like to drop heavy boxes off trucks. My weight estimate is a 70 lb. box and a 40 lb. box. See shipping calculator for total charges, machine will be double boxed and insurance is required. The Shipping calculator ... read more

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