Watchmakers Tools

[Brahma]

Hi folks!

Getting into watch repairs - mainly to try and get some old pocket watches going and I’ve  been on the lookout for some tools.  One of my watches has a broken balance staff - not sure if that’s all that’s wrong with but I’ll see when I strip it down.  It seems that I’ll need a staking set to sort this out?  I’ve had a look on eBay and they’re all quite expensive to buy for a hobbyist so what to do?  In the US they seem to have a couple of places that sell second hand watch tools - http://www.daveswatchparts.com/StakingTools.html is an example.  Where do you guys go for secondhand tools in the U.K.?  Is it just  eBay?  Or do you know of anyone else who sells secondhand tools?

Thanks all

Andy

 

[vinn3]

    welcome to the forum Andy.   i like the refural !  i can see what is missing in my staking sets.   to ansewer your question is not easy,   i buy old rusty tools just for the pleasure of restoring them.   to repair a broken stem requires running running a lathe, or "farming the job out".    try dissasembly of a cheap vintage pocket watch,   read a "watch repair book"   like the one by de Carles,  (sp)      vin

[Chopin]

It seems like your best solution is going to flea markets and looking for various tools. Just do your research so as not to buy something with missing parts or something that can't be repaired. 

Also, buy a good full set of screwdrivers (tips as well).

Replacing a balance staff is no easy task for a newbie. 

[Brahma]

Thanks for your replies Gents and thanks for the welcome.

 

Ok, I’ll just keep tracking eBay to see if something comes up.  

I did think that replacing the balance staff might be tough for me so I figured if I can take the watch to bits I could take the balance to a watchmaker in town near me and see if he can do it for me.  I’ve got de Carles book and am reading it alongside a couple of movements.  Really enjoying the learning.

[watchweasol]

Hi  Welcome aboard,  I reckon what most folks do like my self is trawl the net. ebay being the most common, but It may be wise to check prices with firms like cousins uk watch parts or HS Walsh, AG Thomas.  Fitting a balance staff needs special tools i.e. Staking tools, poising calipers. I Myself have done it using a 36 hole stake and punches but not recomended. Check up on the alternative balance complete option which is balance wheel  with spring attached just ready to fit. Get the best tools you can afford now you can always trade up as your skill level increase, remember its the chap using the tools who controls the job. all the best 

[Tmuir]

21 hours ago, Chopin said:

Just do your research so as not to buy something with missing parts or something that can't be repaired.

This is probably the most important bit of advice.

Make sure you fully understand how the tool works that you want to buy and understand what accessories that goes with it else you will get stung. A prime example is Jacot tools. Don't buy a cheap one to find that some of the discs that the pivots sit on are missing or broken because most of them you can't get replacement parts for and those that you can the part will likely cost you more than you paid for the whole tool.

If you want to do anything more than strip down, clean and reassemble simple watches you will eventually need to buy a staking tool, jewelling tool plus numerous specialist tools.

I buy some new tools from Cousins UK and have from Eternal tools UK, but most of my tools do come from ebay. Check ebay often and sometimes you can get lucky and find a newly listed item with a cheap 'Buy it Now' before anyone else sees it.

[Brahma]

Thanks Tmuir _ appreciate the feedback.  Gonna get my nose into eBay for a while!

[CDale]

Howdy Brahma,

I am new to watchmaking, and am looking it as a hobby as well.  Since I have a broken balance staff pivot, I needed a staking set as well and was quite shocked by the prices on eBay.  I finally was able to Snipe one for $48 and $12 shipping, so $60 all in.  I figure that I can always resell it on eBay later for a profit based on what I was seeing.  It took some time, and losing many auctions/Snipes before I got it.

I look forward to hearing how you fare in your search.

[transporter]

welcome to the hobby, i bought my staking set at a clock and watch fair for £85 this included various stumps aswell, my lathe from an auction along with numerous other tools.

i also have a number of tools from china, and to be fair they work well, some will disagree but even Mark has a few chinese tools so they cant be that bad. i,m just about to pull the trigger on a chinese mainspring winder set, im happy to wind in by hand and have been for a few years now and as these sets are reasonbly cheao ill take a punt at it.

cousinsuk can be surprisingly cheap for quite alot of stuff, what i do know is that having the correct tool for the job is a must.

and im sure your local smith will be more than happy to change out the balance staff for you, getbto him\her as they will be a font of knowledge and help for you in the future.