Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:35 am Posts: 8 Location: Destin, FL
Any reviews on the UltraTec VL Classic? I have an Ultra-Tec machine so I was wondering if anyone with a V5 or a Facetron has purchased or used one and what's your opinion of the machine in comparison. Also the pros and cons etc.
I have one that has the DAD and a dial depth of cut gauge.
[attachment=0]ULTRA TEC VL.jpg[/attachment1.5
The machine is exactly the same from the deck plate down as the V5. The mast is built like a tank and height adjustment is far superior to the Facetron.
I wasn't happy with the splash-pan on the VL. It is made from a hard plastic material and there is no removable guard to facilitate cuts less than 90 degrees. At first I simply clipped a flexible, plastic sheet in place... That worked, but I finally decided to just replace the entire splash-pan with one from a V5 as you can see in the picture.
I don't cut door-knob-sized stones. If you do, you'll find that the mast on the VL is too short to accommodate monster pieces of rough. UT has a mast extension (1.5" I think) that fits below the existing VL mast to allow for very, very large stones.
The faceting head has been upgraded from the V5. The hard-stop "lever" is much improved over the V5. The angle locking lever is in a much more convenient position and a "clutch" nut has been installed to dampen the movement of the quill assembly for those who want it.
The lever-arm of the V5 is gone. I've always been one who holds the stone itself when cutting anyway. (I'm left-handed, so I use right-masted machines anyway.) No problem.
The DAD is exactly the same as the V5. Works like a champ.
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:35 am Posts: 8 Location: Destin, FL
Thanks for the response I was wondering about some of the things you covered. I thought that the mast looked a little short but I can tell by looking at it it won't flex. Luckily I have a few of the original splash pans because UT charges something like $189.00 for just the rubber splash guard and if you need the 2 cent aluminum hold down rods that you could make yourself and a piece of $1.00 drain tube that will be another $100.00 bringing your new splash guard total to $298.00 WTF?
Two questions.... does it use the same index gears as the other Ultra-Tec machines and if you buy the upgraded DAD version do they give you the analog dial to?
When I first saw one my initial thought was wow Ultra-Tec and Facetron had a baby together and the Ultra-Tec had the more dominant gene... If anyone else has any experience with one feel free to chime in I appreciate your opinions.
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