Jump to content

Stem tube broken

Lc130

By Lc130
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

Lc130 WRT Addict

Lc130

Posted
Posted

Hi All

I'm a beginner.  This is an Elgin 344.  The tube stem is broken off with the remainder still stuck in the crown.  I've never dealt with this before.  Can it be repaired at the beginner level?  What tools are required?

Many thanks

Charlie

IMG_4620.thumb.JPG.f42a1ed544db1c54bfce2a762fb9d491.JPG

IMG_4617.thumb.JPG.731ea5cd8dfe85f116890d4593eb303b.JPG

 

IMG_4625.thumb.JPG.f8134df2e39e1bbfdd570e715ad78dea.JPG

IMG_4626.thumb.JPG.6a455385291bef054528496bbc67f025.JPG

IMG_4628.thumb.JPG.8bccb01db11afbe51ff1dc3e4ac484bb.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites
watchweasol Distinguished Member

watchweasol

Posted
Posted

Hi Charlie  It the tube is broken off in the case you will need to drift it out from the inside with a brass punch.  Check before hand that it is not a screwed in variety, most were pressed in . As these were fitted to the case in the factory and wether they can be obtained as a spare part I do not know. with the use of a lathe one could be made to fit...  There are porpose made tools for removing these tubes, chesk with Esslingers or Jules Borel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lc130 WRT Addict

Lc130

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, watchweasol said:

Hi Charlie  It the tube is broken off in the case you will need to drift it out from the inside with a brass punch.  Check before hand that it is not a screwed in variety, most were pressed in . As these were fitted to the case in the factory and wether they can be obtained as a spare part I do not know. with the use of a lathe one could be made to fit...  There are porpose made tools for removing these tubes, chesk with Esslingers or Jules Borel.

Is this the right tool? https://tinyurl.com/qsbp7ys

Thank you

Link to comment
Share on other sites
clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

Posted
Posted

I have removed tubes by just by gently turning a cutting broach inside the tube. Maybe I have been lucky but all of the tubes I have changed twisted out real easy. I pushed the new tubes in by adding a touch of loctite first & just pushing in the new with an appropriate size punch. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Watchtime Super WRT Addict

Watchtime

Posted
Posted

check if it is screwed in or press fitted as watchweasol said, probably pressed. If you have a staking set, you can use that to get the remaining piece of tube out. if it comes out in one piece, measure the diameter and look on ebay for Clark watch parts, they might have a good solution, or some chinese sellers offer a variety of different tubes and stems assortment

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Watchtime said:

I mean using a fitting stake to drift it out, the case surely won't fit the staking set

Oh, in that case even a small bolt will do if the tip is shaped correctly. Assuming is a parallel tube as mentioned above. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lc130 WRT Addict

Lc130

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 hours ago, jdm said:

You know, thinking better I recommend against trying to push from the outside in any case. Good rule is having things leaving the way they went in. One could even consider getting a tool for that

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000014322393.html

Thanks.  I've not ordered from aliexpress.  Suspect it's a chinese version of the Horotec tool in the above link.  The Horotec costs $130 more.  Is it worth the extra?  I'd hate to wait a month for the chinese tool and then have it break at first attempt.

Thank you

Charlie

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, Lc130 said:

Thanks.  I've not ordered from aliexpress.  Suspect it's a chinese version of the Horotec tool in the above link.  The Horotec costs $130 more.  Is it worth the extra?  I'd hate to wait a month for the chinese tool and then have it break at first attempt.

I don't have that tool. We have many topics running about Chinese tools in general, about this here we would be just guessing. It's really up to each one to decide if to spend $60, $190, or almost nothing to remove a broken tube.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
rodabod Distinguished Member

rodabod

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Watchtime said:

ad carefully try drilling it out?...not the best but if nothing is left?

The most common method I've seen, and what I also do myself is to drift it out with a punch like watchweasol suggests. The tapping action as you hit the punch with a light hammer usually unseats the pendant tube quite easily.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lc130 WRT Addict

Lc130

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 4/7/2020 at 3:14 PM, rodabod said:

The most common method I've seen, and what I also do myself is to drift it out with a punch like watchweasol suggests. The tapping action as you hit the punch with a light hammer usually unseats the pendant tube quite easily.

Is it punched out from the inside or outside of the case?  If inside, the punch would have to be at an angle.  Does that create a problem?  What is the specific tool used?

Thank you

Charlie

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
watchweasol Distinguished Member

watchweasol

Posted
Posted

Hi Charlie  Done carefully with a punch is no problem as long as you are careful and work on the edge of the tube turning the watch as you do so. The method advocated by clockboy is also painless as the broach grips the tube and with a twisting action and drawing the tub out.  For a one off the tool is an expensive luxury and may never be used again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, Lc130 said:

 If inside, the punch would have to be at an angle.  Does that create a problem?

Yes, as in that wrong approach would not work.

14 hours ago, Lc130 said:

What is the specific tool used?

Linked above from AliX and I think you had located the original product already.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
rodabod Distinguished Member

rodabod

Posted
Posted
On 4/9/2020 at 9:56 PM, Lc130 said:

Is it punched out from the inside or outside of the case?  If inside, the punch would have to be at an angle.  Does that create a problem?  What is the specific tool used?

 

From the inside. I’ve attached a photo of a Longines WWW which I’m currently working on. The pendant tube was broken. It is unique on this model, so I am turning a new one on a lathe. The punch is from a staking set. 
 

 

51C240A3-D016-4DA6-899A-ACC38C3F6209.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rodabod Distinguished Member

rodabod

Posted
Posted

I should add that you tap the punch with a lightweight wooden hammer, or a very light metal hammer. There is very little force applied. Similarly, when re-inserting a new pendant tube, if it doesn’t seat fully from pressing alone, then I will slowly tap until it is seated, possibly with some sort of buffer like boxwood to protect the end of the tube. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • oldhippy
      Movement inserted from crytal side

      By oldhippy · Posted

      Before putting it back in the case I would fit the hands and use a pin vice on the stem to make sure the hands were in line. 
    • Jon
      Introducing myself

      By Jon · Posted

      Hi there  
    • Jon
      Movement inserted from crytal side

      By Jon · Posted

      Put the movement in a movement holder and it will be supported as you push down on the setting lever post to release the winding stem. Make sure the post is over the shoulder of the movement holder so what you are pressing down on is supported. As a general rule, hold the movement and not the movement holder. Replace the hands when the movement isn't in the case and support the centre jewel (if it has one) on a hard surface or staking block when replacing the hands to stop the jewel accidentally moving or even coming out. A dedicated movement holder with a central jewel support is even better, but pricey
    • JohnR725
      Main spring

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      It might help us if we knew which watch like model number.
    • Zedster
      Movement inserted from crytal side

      By Zedster · Posted

      Hi, guys I have a bit of a predicament and hopefully, somebody can advise. I'm working on a Roamer MST 521 where the movement is extracted from the crystal side. I'm now at the final hurdle where I need to replace the movement back into its case but I'm not sure of the correct procedure. I still need to fit the hands but that's where the problem lies. If I insert the winding stem to test the hands for correct alignment I will need to turn the movement over to release the stem again it's the spring-loaded type and needs a small bit of force to push down but with the hands fitted, I don't think I can do this on a cushion without causing some damage to the hands and that's the last thing I want to do, this watch has already been a love-hate relationship and I'm so close to boxing this one off which I'm counting as my first major project.  The other option is to case the movement then fit the hands and hope everything is okay. I've already broken the original winding stem but managed to find a replacement, the last one in stock, so I'm a bit reluctant to keep removing it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. 
×
×
  • Create New...