Thanks Carl, I agree. I am very new and with every stone so far has been a learning experience and understanding the machine and what it can do is a challenge. Performing the cut to the drawing and polishing is fun and frustrating as each stone teaches me more about precision and quality. Everything hinges off the first cut and the placement of the dop. I am excited to send in the novice stone for evaluation. What is sad is I know more now since I cut it and feel I can do better already. Time is limited.