Graves Company has acquired the manufacturing rights and intellectual property for the GEARLOOSE XS Series of faceting machines from Jon Rolfe and Gearloose.com.
The new Graves Mark 5XL faceting head features simplicity in design, ease of use, and state of the art precision that is beyond anything on the market today. This design has been extensively field tested by actual faceters, both amateur and professional.
The Mark 5XL faceting head features a digital readout angle scale that is accurate to .015 degrees and repeatable to .03 degrees! In cutting tests, it has approximately ten times the sensitivity of a LED "Down Light", and allows cutting "To the Numbers". A ¾ inch case hardened stainless steel mast, solid aluminum construction, precision ball bearings, and a durable powder coat finish complete the design.
The new head will be available in both right and left handed versions. A right handed version will be available by October 15. A left handed version of the new Mark 5XL faceting head will be available on or about November 1 which will mount to any current model of the Mark 4 faceting machine base.
Graves is also developing a right handed version of its venerable and rock solid Mark 4 faceting machine base which will also available on or about October 15.
Graves is proud of this new addition to our product line. Graves Company continues to be the leader in providing durable, innovative, and affordable tools to the lapidary arts.
Graves Mark 5XL Prototype
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. Note the second micrometer head on the fine angle adjuster, a 2005 improvement.
Also I have added an LCD Meter Option which I am considering making a standard item from machine #75 onward. I have had a couple of users remark that the "Light Show" from the bright LED meters distracted them. (*shrug*)
All units are equipped with instant "Plug and Play" Beale-Woolley meter contacts.
Listen to the gossip!
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Mast: 400 Series stainless, casehardened to Rockwell C 60.
Mast Bearing: Rated , 1,400 Pounds load.
Position Sensor MBTF: 10 Million cycles.
Angle trunnion Bearings: Mean dynamic load rating: 650 Pounds.
Quill Bearings: 545 Pounds MDL.
All bearings are sealed.
Accuracy: Calibrated 0-90 to 2 arc-minutes.
Resolution: +/- 00.03 degrees
Linearity, 0-90: 0.06%
Coarse calibration is locked and pinned at final assembly. An adjustment is provided for calibration with different powers supplies, etc.