Tools you can't live without?

[FLwatchguy73]

Good morning folks. If you had to recommend 2 budget conscious (under $300) tools to a hobbyist watchmaker what would they be? I already have the bare minimum hand tools necessary to do the work. There are so many tools I'm sure I could find useful occasionally, but what would be 2 tools you would be lost without, other than screwdrivers, tweezers, movement holders, timegrapher, etc. Thank you.

[Nucejoe]

Pin vice,.       I use it for variety of tasks.

Edited November 9, 2019 by Nucejoe
And joxa back opener

[jdrichard]

Lathe and hand lifter


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[clockboy]

For watch work a timographer or software on your Pc. Without no way of knowing if it is in beat and what rate it is running at.

[vinn3]

58 minutes ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

Good morning folks. If you had to recommend 2 budget conscious (under $300) tools to a hobbyist watchmaker what would they be? I already have the bare minimum hand tools necessary to do the work. There are so many tools I'm sure I could find useful occasionally, but what would be 2 tools you would be lost without, other than screwdrivers, tweezers, movement holders, timegrapher, etc. Thank you.

     save the 300 bucks  and search for used tools.  a book by de Carles at the library might be good.   vin

[vinn3]

52 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

Pin vice,.       I use it for variety of tasks.

    a jewelers hammer.

[Nucejoe]

2 minutes ago, vinn3 said:

    a jewelers hammer.

You remember. .

[oldhippy]

Good eye glass to suite my vision. Without it I can’t see anything that is tiny. 

[nickelsilver]

Lathe and measuring microscope. Use both every day, usually multiple times. Lathe is a bit of a cheat as 'a' tool as there's a lot, lot, of stuff that can go along with it.

[jdm]

Above lathes are recommended but the OP clearly stated he's asking for tools under $300. And he mentioned ones excluding a timegrapher, which I suppose he already have. So I can recommend budget good opening tools as discussed below

And then a pressure tester, which is around $150 on AliX.

 

[watchweasol]

Hi  I have a tool fetish and gather tools like a magpie so basically all of them!!!.   The old adage applies   "give us the tools and we will do the job" .

[chrisdt]

Its very sad but as you get older your fingers aint the same...I don't think I could do without a selection of those grab claw crown winders which keep my hand wind watches going especially when the crown gets a little worn. Perhaps I should just stick to automatic watches

[m1ks]

The 1A automatic oiler is great, as for manage without, you can but for Seiko diafix they make an agonizing task less so.

 

[94marconi]

Mine would be my Dumont 3C tweezers. I have tried pliers with very limited success. And as oldhippy points out, a good eye glass to see what I am ruining with my Dumonts...

Ron

[FLwatchguy73]

18 hours ago, jdm said:

Above lathes are recommended but the OP clearly stated he's asking for tools under $300. And he mentioned ones excluding a timegrapher, which I suppose he already have. So I can recommend budget good opening tools as discussed below

And then a pressure tester, which is around $150 on AliX.

 

I have definitely encountered the need for a good opener. I was servicing a vintage Seiko 7002 diver for a friend and I nearly couldn't get the back open. Are there tools that make opening snap back cases easier? Knife blades are terrifying to use but occasionally that's all that will work. Thank you for the suggestion.

[jdm]

2 minutes ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

Are there tools that make opening snap back cases easier?

Yes and you will find these in the topic linked above.