mast machine or handheld which one you prefer

[14megapixel]

hi
saw an interesting video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yjTSK_NkuY

handpiece faceting machine vs fixed mast machine. which one do you prefer. what is your experience .

[Stephen Challener]

I don't care much for the standalone handpieces on risers, but I also tend to cut large stones which are less favorable for them. The Lee-style setup I use has a removeable handpiece mounted on the mast though so it has some of the handpiece advantages.

[Bob Hodges]

Having never used a handheld, I'm pretty much speaking out of my tuchas here. However, I started on a Facetron and currently have an UltraTech. However, for the handhelds, the only one I think I've seen is (and I may have it wrong), the 'Graves" that had a lap, then a small table next to it you put your handheld on. My one concern with them was that with the mast type, I could pick up the mast, check the cut and then slowly lower the mast/dop back onto the lap. It always puzzled me how you could 'gently' set the hand piece back onto the table without physical shock to the stone as it re-hit the lap. As I said, it may have (and I've met many on here that use the handheld type), been a matter of developing muscle memory and a process to slowly lower it. However, for me I never could figure out if I would be capable of getting that process down (I guess a few hundred stones and it would come to me).

[shanejackson]

I think you are referring to a raytechshaw defiantly not a graves. Never used a raytech so I cannot say anything about them. I have owned a Graves, several Ultratec, a Polymetric, and a Fac-Ette Gem Masters 1 & 2. Each were good machines and Like Justin says in the video, it ultimately comes down to the cutter. The key for me to the video was at 17:30... just have fun!

[dblBootedBarb]

The one you have is preferrable, just master it and enjoy.