Jump to content

Discovered Use Number 3 for Watchmaker's Tweezers

Tmuir

By Tmuir
in Tools & Equipment

 Share

Recommended Posts

Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

Posted
Posted

I'm assuming everyone here knows what use number 1 is, fixing watches. :D

I'm also guessing a lot of people here worked out a long time ago that watchmaker's tweezers are great for removing splinters, especially #4 for removing small metal swarf splinters, but I just discovered a new use for watchmakers tweezers.

Removing a tick from your ankle. :startle:

I live on a bush block and have for nearly 18 years and have never seen a tick before, until today.

I had just finished raking up and carting away the leaves on one side of my house and came inside for a drink and as I went to wipe the dust off my legs I noticed a grey splodge on my ankle and thought it didn't look like dirt so went and got my glasses and discovered I had a nice juicy tick attached to my ankle.

For those that don't know if you don't remove a tick ,or remove it incorrectly it can lead to an infection and worst case paralysis. The trick is you must remove it completely without squeezing it or breaking its head off embedded in you. I was lucky I must of spotted it pretty soon after it had attached itself to me as it hadn't completely burrowed in so after wiping it down with some alcohol I sat down at my watchmakers bench, turned on my LED lamp as bright as it would go and used my number 1 tweezers which were solid enough to grasp the tick firmly, but small enough to do it without squeezing the body and lifted the tick cleanly out. I was very pleased.

 

If you don't see me posting tomorrow you can guess I didn't remove it properly and I'm now paralyzed . :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

Burn its ass with a cigarette. They just drop off.

That requires someone to have a cigarette, there haven't been any of those in my house for probably atleast 15 years.

They also recommend against that now

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Flubber Watch Enthusiast

Flubber

Posted
Posted

Yes, smoking is bad for your health as are ticks. Last year I got lyme disease from a tick bite that I had not even noticed. I saw the red blue ring and thought I got attacked by flesh eating bacteria. Luckily that was not the case and two weeks on penicillin did the trick. I don't think you get paralyzed from a tick bite but if you're unlucky you could catch TBE (brain infection) and that could partially paralyze you or even kill you if you're unlucky. However, you may get inoculated for that so that is a good idea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Not planning to go to the doctor at this point as I can't even see where it bit me, maybe I got lucky and removed it before it properly latched on, but will be keeping a close eye on it and will go to the doctor if I start to see any reactions, tick bites are pretty common in Australia, but rarely serious.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

Posted
  • Author
Posted
6 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

Another way is to dab the little bugger with alcohol such as brandy, whisky, gin you get the idea.  

It did get this treatment before I used the tweezers, except I used 92% alcohol, that may of been why it was so easy to remove.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nucejoe Distinguished Member

Nucejoe

Posted
Posted
10 minutes ago, Tmuir said:

It did get this treatment before I used the tweezers, except I used 92% alcohol, that may of been why it was so easy to remove.

So it must have been drunk by the time you commenced attack. 

Serious:   Dosen,t tic host communicable diseases?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ticks can have nasty side effects if you are unlucky.

I think the tick that bit me was a paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus

But the government health website says as long as I removed it completely and promptly and don't develop any symptoms there is no need to go to the doctor.

 

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tick-bites

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nucejoe Distinguished Member

Nucejoe

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Tmuir said:

Ticks can have nasty side effects if you are unlucky.

I think the tick that bit me was a paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus

But the government health website says as long as I removed it completely and promptly and don't develop any symptoms there is no need to go to the doctor.

 

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tick-bites

Useful to know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Mercurial
      AS2063 - hand setting

      By Mercurial · Posted

      Have you got the pallet fork installed in the movement when you see the train move when using the setting works? As nevenbekriev said, without the pallet fork to lock the train, the behaviour you are describing is normal. If this is happening with the pallet fork installed, you have a problem in the gear train, it should be immobile when the pallet fork is locking the escape wheel.  The fit of the circlip above the pinions on that wheel is crooked in your pictures, it should sit flat up against the upper pinion as in Marc’s picture.  Hope that helps, Mark
    • Khan
      Stem broken - can it be rescued?

      By Khan · Posted

      Hi I got a Jaeger LeCoultre K911 movement, where one of the stems was broken. Part no. Should be 401.  Im based in Europe and tried Cousins but its discontinued. They except to get stem in stock for cal. K916 but will that work? Or Is there a way out to join the ends?
    • Bonefixer
      AS2063 - hand setting

      By Bonefixer · Posted

      The part was how it fell out of the movement - the train wheel bridge wasn’t screwed in.    I’ll probably dismantle the part, if I can, to work it out.    The train of wheels ran fine - it was only once the keyless works were installed I noticed the problem. 
    • mthomas828
      Balance staff sourcing?

      By mthomas828 · Posted

      Hello, I am about 5 months into watchmaking and I love it!   The attention to precise detail is what really attracts me to it. (and the tools!) I am working on a 16 jewel 43mm pocket watch movement.   There are no markings besides a serial number (122248) .  The balance staff needs replacement. The roller side pivot broke off.  I successfully removed the hairspring using Bergeon 5430's.  I successfully removed the roller using Bergeon 2810.   Did i mention I love the tools?! I removed the staff from the balance wheel using a vintage K&D staff removal tool  with my Bergeon 15285 (that's the one that comes with a micrometer adjustment so it can be used as a jewel press as well as a traditional staking tool...it's sooooo cool...sorry..  can you tell i love the tools?) No more digressing..  I measured the damaged staff in all the relevant areas but I have to estimate on some because one of the pivots is missing. A = Full length  A= 4.80mm  (that's without the one pivot...if you assume that the missing pivot is the same length as the other pivot (I'm sure it's not)  then A = 5.12 mm...(can I assume 5.00mm here?) F=  Hair spring collet seat  F=  .89mm   (safe to assume .90 here? .. I am sure that my measurement's would at least contain  .01 mm error ?) G = balance wheel seat  G = 1.23 mm  (1.20mm?) H  =  roller staff  H =  .59mm  (.60 mm?) B  = bottom of the wheel to roller pivot   B  = 2.97mm  (3.00 mm?)     here I am estimating  again because this pivot is missing. So my friends, and I thank you profusely,  can you point me in the right direction as to how to proceed? Do i buy individual staffs?  or an assortment?   Since I don't know exactly the name of the manufacturer, will that be a fatal hindrance?   Tbh, I'm not even sure what country of origin this movement is. Thank you!    
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Thats why i asked that question earlier, what happens if lubrication is placed directly on top of epilame ?  As opposed to walled within its non epilamed area . I'm not saying its right, i have no idea , just asking questions. 
×
×
  • Create New...