Jump to content

Starter tools and watch repair kits


Recommended Posts

I have been working on clocks for about 12 years now and am ready to try my hand a watches. I don't have any watch tools. Can you all give me some ideas about what I need to get started? Looking online and in my jeweler's supply catalogs, I am overwhelmed with all the choices. What are some good brands and price ranges?

 

Thanks!

Matthew Condon

Trafalgar, Indiana, USA

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome Matt (from another Matt) !!!

 

Items you don't want to get for too cheap : a good pair of tweezers, a pair of brass tweezers, a good set of screwdrivers and case opening tools. Those are the basics in my opinion.

 

Some links :

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/33-article10-essential-tools-every-watch-repairer-needs/

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/1177-good-set-of-tweezers-that-dont-break-the-bank/

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/883-screwdriver-question/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the forum Matt!

 

As Geo said, me too and good advise too from CB and Frenchie. I've spend money that could have been better spent on quality tools the first time...but you learn! By the way, we have also a clock section here which will happily accept your input and experience!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

 

PS. Although in Fl, we used to be almost neighbors...I'm from IL.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 9 months later...

My honest opinion don't bother if its Chinese none of the tools will last. The best advice I can give you is never buy cheap tools, go to a good supplier and buy the best you can afford good tools will last you a life time, a lot are very expensive but you might be able to pick up these on ebay in very good condition.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My honest opinion don't bother if its Chinese none of the tools will last. The best advice I can give you is never buy cheap tools, go to a good supplier and buy the best you can afford good tools will last you a life time, a lot are very expensive but you might be able to pick up these on ebay in very good condition.

Ok ill will take a look on eBay. Any manufacturs you can recomend?

And what is the name of the pliers to get the hands of a movement?

Send from outer space

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always bought dumont tweezers, bergeon screwdrivers, there are special tools for removing hands.

This site is good many people on here use this place. https://www.cousinsuk.com/department/tools

There are many good brands these days people on here might be able to help you more then me. I have been retired from this type of work for many years so I'm not up to date on the modern tools that many use today

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that there is nothing wrong buying cheap tools as long one knows what he's buying. In fact even a reputable shop like Cousins sells them. Granted cheap tools can't take abuse and in many cases are just inadeguate, but for approaching the hobby for simple tasks they're fine most of the time. I like the carry-on case above, one can always replace tools in it. However in this case the Bergeon equivalent is not crazy expensive at GBP134 + VAT.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi guys,

 

IMHO, I think that cheap tools only achieve one thing: waste of money and time. There is a bonus to that though, blotched work and not showing your true skills and/or develop them. Wait that's not one thing but many things!

 

In any case, I'm talking by experience. If I were to get back all the money I've spent on cheap tools I could buy twice the quality tools that matter and that I had to buy in the end...and I've tried everything: from cheapo screwdrivers to cheapo screwdrivers with adapted expensive tips to top of the line screwdrivers...tweezers is another one! Dumont are what you want, never settle for less.

 

When you use good, professional tools, you have more control, tools work as they should and the result is "unmarked" work, professional work. They also last a long time with the proper maintenance and proper use, a lifetime in most cases. There is always the learning curve and that might be an issue but if you train with mediocre tools you will never know how good you can be since your work will, most of the time be mediocre. Again, all this I learned the hard way.

 

I'd listen to oldhippy, he knows what he is talking about...forget cheapo tools, I can't stress it enough.

 

BTW, material houses have to carry cheapo inventory. That's where they actually make killer money! They, depending on who and many other factors, choose the "less" bad of the lot...and some don't even choose, just pass them along to the unaware buyer.

 

Just my 2 cents on the matter.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use cheap tools like Indian screwdrivers, Jaxa tool, presto tool, cheap Swiss tweezers, hand setting, oilers, movement holder, case holder, case cushion, work mat and probably few more.

All that works fine, doesn't break (when used correctly) and doesn't mark anything. In fact I'm proud to achieve the identical results than with overpriced tools, even if I could have afforded them without any problem. I have learnt (even before watchmaking) that the only tool where quality can't be sacrificed is one's skills and dedication. All the rest is secondary.

That being said there is stuff for which one needs the real thing, example forked end spring bar tool. I have also opened a thread abut laughable cheap tools to stimulate sensible discussion without preconceptions.

Edited by jdm
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use cheap tools like Indian screwdrivers, Jaxa tool, presto tool, cheap Swiss tweezers, hand setting, oilers, movement holder, case holder, case cushion, work mat and probably few more.All that works fine, doesn't break (when used correctly) and doesn't mark anything. In fact I'm proud to achieve the identical results than with overpriced tools, even if I could have afforded them without any problem. I have learnt (even before watchmaking) that the only tool where quality can't be sacrificed is one's skills and dedication. All the rest is secondary.That being said there is stuff for which one needs the real thing, example forked end spring bar tool. I have also opened a thread abut laughable cheap tools to stimulate sensible discussion without preconceptions.

Couldn't have put it better, you just saved me a lot of typing!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got a headache with my cheap loupe. The cheap chinese oilers broke the first time i used them. The cheap screwdrivers worked okay but looked very worn an ugly after a while. And i have to replace the screwdriver bits with Bergeon bits. The cheap movement holder didn't work and the movement keep falling of and breaking something in the fall to the floor. The cheap tweezers didn't hold the screws and they where flying all over the place. Everything took twice as long to do and causing grey hair in the process.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got a headache with my cheap loupe. The cheap chinese oilers broke the first time i used them. The cheap screwdrivers worked okay but looked very worn an ugly after a while. And i have to replace the screwdriver bits with Bergeon bits. The cheap movement holder didn't work and the movement keep falling of and breaking something in the fall to the floor. The cheap tweezers didn't hold the screws and they where flying all over the place. Everything took twice as long to do and causing grey hair in the process.

I think you have summed up cheap tools very well. I hope it didn't take you to long and you didn't waste to much money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Depends upon your needs and finances, I am an aged pensioner who does it for a hobby, I am limited by the tools I can afford and the watches I can afford to work on.

 

To each his own needs, we would all like to own Bergeon tools but at my age I can't get a bank loan to buy them. :notfair:

 

 

Max

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Because we now have the Internet you have more availability to find good tools. I have said in other comments of mine. I was extremely lucky I started out in a very well equipped workshop and was given all the tools and content when I finished my apprenticeship. The only main tool I decided toad was a unimat lathe because I wanted to expand into Clock making. You could try auctions, look out for watch/clock makers who are retiring or shops closing down. I admire any of you that manage on a shoestring budget and manage with what you have, but as someone has said good tools will make the repairs much easier. My master always told me buy the best you can afford, he also told me what to avoid, like never buy pliers and such if they don't have a box joining because they will under pressure twist and become out of line, never buy a cheap vise because it wont hold and will give.The very basic tools are what need to the best, after that you can investigate,some people on here tend to buy all sorts of stuff and I think to myself why on earth would you want to have that,there are easy ways around such a repair.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's amazing the number of folk that get blinded by price! They think expensive means it must be good and cheap means it must be bad, what a load of b*****cks.

There are cheap tools and expensive tools, there are also good tools and bad tools, but cheap tools are not always bad tools and expensive tools are not always good tools. I have a fair mixture of both and have experienced both of these scenarios.

If you really are happier in your mind because you pay more for something I don't have a problem with it, but what I do object to is folk saying it has got to be expensive to be of any use. Remember, it's not simple black and white, there is some beautiful grey in there.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
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.

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.




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Yes I have that in my watch list a JUF if cheap enough I will have a go , if nothing else it will be good for spares, I have a few JUF’s
    • Less give a damn- more **BLEEP** it! …nice that it is keeping time I’ve done a couple of these (one with your assistance) and there’s a third that needs work on the tension between what drives the hands and the barrel. Did you have any issue with that? …and I saw Ranfft make a small comment in a thread re: pin pallets- a couple drops of Tillwich blu, let it run down the pins. It is good for 20 degrees of amplitude… I’m using this oil as a cheat code on my unmotivated Venus chrono…
    • This is a very sad day for the industry.. For most of us being amateurs the cost of replacing parts for ETA,s etc will be beyond affordability for the customers.   see full statement below   We have now received the decision from Judge Michael Green on whether or not the High Court has jurisdiction to hear our claim against Swatch, and sadly it is not the decision we had hoped for.   As we have pointed out in previous news items (see below),the rules that Judge Green had to apply strictly prevented him from examining in any way how the Swiss Court arrived at its verdict, even if it is blatantly obvious that the verdict is wrong.   As Swatch’s lawyer was summing up in the last few minutes oft he hearing, the Judge twice pinned him asking if it was alright if, as a result of the Swiss verdict, consumers had to pay 50% more for their watch repairs. After some stumbling, their lawyer’s reply was “Yes”, so  I am quite sure that Judge Green left his court fully aware that the Swiss verdict does not reflect the norms of British Competition Law. However, the rules simply do not allow him to take that simple fact into account.   Judge Green noted that our two arguments relating firstly to British Competition Law now being different from that of the EU, and secondly to the contention that the legality of the Authorised Service Networks has not been tested, had both been mentioned in the Swiss verdict. Because they had been mentioned, he felt that to allow us to argue them again would constitute re examining the Swiss case, and could not be allowed.   As to our claim that we were denied our right to be heard because our evidence was not considered, our lawyers had argued that the evidence we provided could not have been looked at because had the Swiss Court done so, it could not have reached the conclusion that it did. In his verdict, Judge Green highlighted general statements in the Swiss verdict that evidence had been looked at, and acknowledged the arguments we made to him, but again he considered that this was re-examining the Swiss verdict, and could not be permitted.   Our case has attracted considerable interest within the Legal community, and within minutes of the decision being made public we were approached for comment by one of the largest subscription news services, Global Competition Review. They asked us two very pertinent questions, and I reproduce them for you below along with our responses, as they neatly summarise the consequences arising from our case.   What are the key takeaways?   Enormous damage has been done to the fundamentals of UK and European Competition Law by the Swiss courts. It has always been the case that the effect on consumers and competition has to be considered in any decision making, but we now have a ruling that states even monopolists can remove wholesale markets from the supply chain without any consumer benefit based justification. Those entities looking to subvert Competition Law and exploit consumers for their own benefit will be looking at this very carefully.   Has the court made the wrong decision? If so, will you appeal?   The issue lies not with the High Court, but rather with cross border jurisdiction treaties that have no requirement in them for foreign jurisdictions applying UK law to take account of the Ratio Legis [a legal term for the fundamental reasoning why the law was written] of that law, and have no remedy within them for UK Courts to overcome decisions that clearly do not.    After eight years of work, and a very considerable sum in legal costs, I can not begin to tell you how disappointed I am at this outcome. For the time being, there is no further route through the British Courts that Cousins can follow. However, I promised that we would fight to the end, and that promise stands.   The UK is no longer part of the Lugano Convention, whose rules Judge Green has applied, and as yet nothing permanent has replaced it. The political tide turned against repair prevention by restricting supply of spare parts some time ago, and our efforts on behalf of the Watch Repair industry have resulted in high level contacts within several Government Departments. You can be sure that we will keep working to overcome this unjust situation that we now all find ourselves in.    I will keep you advised.   Kind regards   Anthony
    • Dell fancy a challenge🤣   https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285785684626?itmmeta=01HT29WVJY21Q94C73GYHGBTFX&hash=item428a277a92:g:15YAAOSwNRVmBAUz&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0DIe4QLQBW66rSyIMiyBuk8GY%2B86pQ%2BQnxGbcNq7egAGe5DIs9YMmiWJIbZtMSxwNJIiJxuojbq523IeUSBQ6pJEIQ0tfz2ChrBR03BksmKINyklg1IK4GAfAcYY9Hta9wVeSZSZN7ZCNAfZTgKs9c4%2BUIUZ3Qjc3QjUXDn2uPRo1FiYOEewMG5A26EXb%2BclBgrqtbOmM6P3bea%2F8ZImOAXNI1HtbmtMk84pIGoM6ISwaM1PKFuADtTFMccS5e3ZjndCbXYXHrW3CecsV0edw3M%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8q588nQYw Darwin’s theory of evolution has not been proven to be absolutely.  😀 
    • A already know the size movement I have the problem is the dial a had purchased has a dimension 20.6mm wide a want to find a watch case that going to fit the dial perfectly 
×
×
  • Create New...