Facet Alignments

Faceting Hints

Grinding and Polishing Alignments

By Norman Steele, December 1978, © Copyright from "The Faceter's Gem"

If facet is polishing or grinding as indicated by the dot pattern, take the corrective action indicated.

Facet

Problem

Remedy

None.
This is the indication of a properly centered facet

None.
Finish this facet and go to the next facet.

Elevation angle too large.
Height adjustment too low.
Facet is otherwise centered.

Lower elevation angle.
Increase height adjustment.

Elevation angle too small.
Height adjustment too high.
Facet is otherwise centered.

Increase elevation angle.
Lower height adjustment

Facet is not centered.
It is too far to the left, but the angle and height are about right.

Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the right.

Facet is not centered.
It is too far to the right, but the angle and height are about right.

Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the left.

Facet is not centered.
It is too far to the left and the angle is too large. Stone may have shifted on the dop.

Check index setting. Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the right. Reduce lap speed. Reduce elevation angle.

Facet is not centered.
It is too far to the right and the angle is too large. Stone may have shifted on the dop.

Check index setting. Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the left. Reduce lap speed. Reduce elevation angle.

Facet is not centered.
It is too far to the left and the angle is too small. Stone may have shifted on the dop.

Check index setting. Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the right. Increase the angle. Reduce lap speed.

Facet is not centered.
It is too far to the right and the angle is too small. Stone may have shifted on the dop.

Check index setting. Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the left. Reduce lap speed. Increase elevation angle.

Facet is not flat.
Lap is too soft or you have not rubbed long enough.

Recut the facet.

Facet is not flat.
Lap ran too fast or debris collected on the facet.

Recut the facet. Use less polish or more lubricant.

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Facet	Problem	Remedy
	None. This is the indication of a properly centered facet	None. Finish this facet and go to the next facet.
	Elevation angle too large. Height adjustment too low. Facet is otherwise centered.	Lower elevation angle. Increase height adjustment.
	Elevation angle too small. Height adjustment too high. Facet is otherwise centered.	Increase elevation angle. Lower height adjustment
	Facet is not centered. It is too far to the left, but the angle and height are about right.	Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the right.
	Facet is not centered. It is too far to the right, but the angle and height are about right.	Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the left.
	Facet is not centered. It is too far to the left and the angle is too large. Stone may have shifted on the dop.	Check index setting. Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the right. Reduce lap speed. Reduce elevation angle.
	Facet is not centered. It is too far to the right and the angle is too large. Stone may have shifted on the dop.	Check index setting. Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the left. Reduce lap speed. Reduce elevation angle.
	Facet is not centered. It is too far to the left and the angle is too small. Stone may have shifted on the dop.	Check index setting. Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the right. Increase the angle. Reduce lap speed.
	Facet is not centered. It is too far to the right and the angle is too small. Stone may have shifted on the dop.	Check index setting. Adjust cheater to rotate stone toward the left. Reduce lap speed. Increase elevation angle.
	Facet is not flat. Lap is too soft or you have not rubbed long enough.	Recut the facet.
	Facet is not flat. Lap ran too fast or debris collected on the facet.	Recut the facet. Use less polish or more lubricant.