Ancient Graves

[landrus60]

I recently picked up a 50’s wea Mark I. The head has no cheater or 1/10 scale stop block. Knowing Graves reputation for crappy customer service, does anyone know where I can find either a good used head or the appropriate parts. Thanks for the help.

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[MSackos]

I’d say to give Ernie Hawes a try. He works on all kinds of Faceting machines….when he’s not busy making awesome Gem Cutting Designs!

[landrus60]

How do I get in touch with him?

[TDaniel]

I’m also looking for someone who can service my Graves Mark IV (or, even better, show/tell me how to service my own machine). I think the head has become loose over time – I find that my index gear seems “off” every time I change angles and/or mast position (and sometimes even when I don’t change anything).

Any help would be appreciated! I’m basically out of commission until I get it fixed. I’m tempted to suck it up and buy a Mark V digital head (left hand), but then I’d have to go through Graves and I’d still like to fix the old ‘analog’ head as a backup.

BTW, I’ve been waiting for about 3 1/2 months on an existing order from Graves – just some spare dops and some CZ rough I was hoping to cut for the Single Stone Competition that ended 25 days ago. Kinda bummed about Graves but I don’t want to just throw my Mark IV in the garbage, ya know?

Any advice? (apart from dropping $4k+ on a new UT)

Thanks!

[gemmakermz]

OK guys if you dont get help please give me a chance to see if i can help. frankly dont buy another one. i have nearly all make in my work shop but if students look for machines they have all diff ones here to try i pesonally recommend only two machines the ultra tec and the raytech/shaw as i have and use the same two i bought back in 74 while working for crystalit—– and their still working just great. keep in mind thats 46 yrs. i’ve replaced a rive cone and a belt about 3 yrs ago and ordered extra spare. when i need something they/both have gotten it out to me fast. as for your machines contact me and lets see what we can do.. michael zinski, 7302 w. yellowstone, kennewick, wa.99336. 509-783-9337, gemmakermz@cs.com

[davewoolley]

TDanial,
Try looking in “Scratches from the Master Lap”. I found a number of ‘back your mechanic’s’ solutions to Graves’ – old age problems.
Dave Woolley

[TDaniel]

Wow! That’s an excellent resource. Thank you! I’ll have to try the “Graves Grief” technique once I get a chance to set everything back up. I’ve been out of the game ever since the 2019 SSC (partly because of the machine troubles & partly because of we had a baby boy). I’d love to get it working and try my hand at a competition stone again.

(Granted, I think I’m probably DONE trying to cut anything for a competition with my Graves, which I think is a sign that I’ve regained at least some of my sanity after all that mess. 🙂

Thanks again,
-Tom

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