does anyone have experience with the" imhashi " machine ? they
seemto be as elusive as diamond cutting equipment
Hans Meevis uses one and will no doubt give a give a report. It’s a
platform machine somewhat similar to the U.S. Raytech (which, as an
aside, is no longer made by Raytech but machines are available from a
new manufacturer).
I don’t know where you’re based but the former U.S. distributor quit
carrying Imahashi a long while back. The factory is in Japan and the
address in my files is: Imahashi Mfg. Co., Ltd., 533 Hino, Hino-shi,
Tokyo, JAPAN - Phone: 0425.82.1508
There’s a simplified knock-off that’s widely used in Asia. I don’t
recall where it’s made but I can post supplier contact in
Australia if you’re interested.
Though I don’t have any lapidary work experience myself…, I just
looked up Imahashi mfg.'s website, http://www.imahashi.net/top.html,
it’s only in Japanese.
And the contact details are;
533 Hino, Hino-city, Tokyo 191-0012 Japan
TEL +81-(0)42-582-1508
FAX +81-(0)42-584-2780
E-mail Tokyo at imahashi dot net
They also have a branch factory in Kofu;
3-10-5 Asake, Kofu-city, Yamanashi 400-0862 Japan
TEL +81-(0)55-232-3143
FAX +81-(0)55-232-3149
E-mail kofu at imahashi dot net
I’ve never used an Imhasi, but one of my instructors has one and
swears by it. They’re extremely well made and a good machine if you
like platform machines. They’re also one of the most expensive
machines that’s commonly available – about $6000 new, my instructor
said.
does anyone have experience with the" imhashi " machine ? they
seemto be as elusive as diamond cutting equipment
I would not recommend the Imahashi. The company has no presence on
the web that I can find. I doubt very much that there is any back up
service. If any one knows of an address, I would be very interested,
because I need a new facetting head.( after 33 years, admittedly)
The Asian copies of the machine don’t look like they built with the
same quality that my machine was built with. That said, it is a good
machine, very fast and easy to use. But if I was a beginner, I would
go for a Gem master, or such like machine. One thing to keep in mind
when one buys a gemcutting machine is that the cost of the machine
is really not the most expensive thing. The rough gemstones will be
much more costly than any machine in the long run. So it pays to buy
a good machine.
Hans - i have a catalog from rubin and son info@rubi-and-son there is
a mchine towards the back of the catalog that looks like an imahashi
to my inexperienced eye ! they mostly have diamond cutting stuff an i
think they have an office in antwerp and hong kong and couple other
cities in germany contact me off list if this doesnt help
I emailed Rubin and Sons and received a prompt reply from them.
Delivery about six weeks and about 6000 euro (ouch). Seriously
pricey. I bought my own machine in 1972, complete with all the laps
for $476 FOB.That was an arm and a leg as well in those days, make
no mistake. Keep in mind though, that I have cut thousands of stones
on my machine (I was a professional gem cutter for a long time) and I
only had to replace the bearings in 2006 for the first time. Also,
the machine is very simple to service and extremely well made, but
dang, if I were wanting to start gem cutting I would certainly not
want to lay out so much just to find out if I like cutting. Going
the club route would be the best option, I think. After you cut your
thousandth brilliant, gemcutting becomes really boring, believe me,
and that is the reason why I started goldsmithing. But someone who
has mastered goldsmithing, and wants to learn gemcutting, or vica
versa, that will broaden their skill set substantially and in so
doing their design capabilities. All this makes far more money than
the original cost of the machinery.