Leaderboard

More updates on my Pultra 17/70 restoration, almost ready to go now, been making long small T nuts and a plate to fit Multifix QCTP a friend has made an extension for the tool rest because being 70mm centre my tool rest was way short.

That is the price set by Cousins. If one wants to save and can wait a bit for delivery, sapphire crystals can now be had starting at about 5 Euro. For example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003097980569.html

It looks very, very nice. However, you can buy a torch for around £20. It’s a good idea to go for one with a square base so you can place it on your desk with the flame pointing upwards without the risk of it falling its side. Butane gas £2/3 for 300ml can. Brass shavings, 250g will be way more than what is in this kit and will cost you around £5 from eBay, go for the fine shavings if you get the option. Brass tray, I bought a very small brass ashtray from eBay for £3 and a small hand held vice for £3 to clamp the ashtray. Pair of gloves would be good to hold the vice if it doesn’t have a wooden handle but a towel would do the job just fine, that’s what I used. Soldering board to rest the bluing tray on £6. The rest, tweezers, rodico, glass, you probably already have. So, the total is £40, let’s call it $55. That leaves you with $110 in your pocket.

I think the shorter piece should be at 12. My rule of thumb is the release clasp should be where the thumb nail can pry the buckle open.

Unless you suffer from some condition this is all a matter of being able to relax. When working on watches I constantly monitor my mental and physical state in this respect. You may think that you are relaxed, but trust me there's always more to do. For example, check your shoulders, can you let them down and relax them even a bit more? The answer is yes! Check your respiration. It should be slow and controlled . When I was younger I used to shoot Olympic air rifles. 90 % of being successful comes down to being able to relax and to control your breath. Be especially watchful when doing difficult stuff like fitting springs when you know that a mistake will likely cost you the part and possibly weeks or or even months of searching for a replacement. So, relax!

Vintage Dumont on the left, brand spank'n new Dumont on the right.

Thr Seiko P/N Iis obtained from the reference numberon the back, not the marketing code. However you don't need that because flat crystals are normally replaced by generic ones easily obtained. Measure thickness from a fragment and the recess in the case with vernier calipers. Then a crystal press is needed for refitting, reason for which all in all it may be better to give it to a watch shop.

I had problems with my China made screw type crystal press initially. Then I noticed that the upper and lower dies did not line up perfectly. The centres were not lining up. So I loosened the vertical posts, filed the holes until the centres lined up. That eliminated most of the problems but occasionally some crystals will still crack or chip when refitting the crystal.

I should check all the wheels individially for mashin problems due to worn pivot holes and pinions as somthing is slipping under power. Dismantle the watch again and check every wheel with its neighbour as the depthing is out between wheel and pinion.

As promised update on progress so far of Pultra lathe including new brushless motor.

Anyone any idea what can cause this problem? I have changed the pallets and checked no wheel or pinion teeth are missing. Happy New Year to all, and thank you for your help this last year.