Search the Community

wnlewis here. I've long had a fascination with clocks, watches, and anything that takes small precise parts. Primarily I am interested in railroad pocket watches and wrist watches. I have a stainless steel Hamilton 992-B that I need to get back into running condition. I also have my father's Bulova Accutron. It needs a good cleaning, and the special battery adjuster that adapts a modern battery to the old watch. I have a Branson ultrasonic cleaner that can help with the cleaning. Now to be very careful and patient. Slow and one step at a time. My other great desire is to build a grandfather clock, including the mechanism. I have a Unimat SL lathe and intend to get the watch maker's spindle and other accessories for it to help with that project. I cut down a large black walnut tree several years ago and had the trunk slabbed. It is ready now to be cut down into good furniture and instrument grade lumber fit to make such a clock. Right now, I'm trying to ferret out a small screw from the back of a Garmin Forerunner 25 that I lost, and need to replace. So the challenge is to find a thread checker, measure an existing screw, find a suitable replacement, and turn it down to the proper length - if needed. Not exactly a mechanical watch, but a good start on getting into hobby; learn the basics, things like screws, etc. Hope to hear about other people's projects. Thanks and best wishes.