Dial feet repair - All techniques

[Cougarnaut]

I updated the site including some answers: http://dirkfassbender.de/dial-feet-soldering-machine.html

[dadistic]

Thank You!

 

DavidS

[rodralph]

i'm counting on you, rodralph. this do it yourself stuff is great.

Thanks. I had to put my DIY projects aside for a little while to focus on other personal matters, but will update the other thread once I make more progress.

 

 

I updated the site including some answers: http://dirkfassbender.de/dial-feet-soldering-machine.html

 

Thank you for adding the details on your site. I like the idea of using the probe assembly as a rod holder as my original idea was to use a small soldering iron instead.

[Cougarnaut]

[Cougarnaut]

I updated the site including some answers: http://dirkfassbende...ng-machine.html

[clockboy]

Very impressive it,s just the cost V  how many times it will be actually be used is the issue for me.

[Cougarnaut]

Well, 35€ compared to 300$ US made or 625€ from Bergeon, so we can not talk really about cost. As I want to make dials for some pocket watches it will be well worth it.

[rodralph]

Well, 35€ compared to 300$ US made or 625€ from Bergeon, so we can not talk really about cost. As I want to make dials for some pocket watches it will be well worth it.

 

The cost of making this machine is negligible compared to the cost of buying one, especially if you only use it a couple of times a year. I've been playing around with the idea of using a high voltage power supply like those used for laptops. I have several of those bricks laying around. I just need to find the time to do it.

 

Good work.

[sstakoff]

I have a dial foot soldering unit at home. Looking for guidance on the type of solder and flux to use for best results.

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[vinn3]

what type of "soldering unit"   do you have?  mini torch or iron? ive done a bit of soldering,  but not on a dial.  ill look into it.  vinn

[sstakoff]

Neither [emoji16]. I have a machine very similar to http://www.dialrestore.com

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[vinn3]

fantastic  machine !  use solid core solder.   how  are you going to  locate the  position to put it?  vinn (im all ears)

[sstakoff]

Seems that most people are using 60/40. Here are some pics of the solder and flux. I had a better result this time, but I still seem to be getting rather weak joints. I am using brass wire for the feet which I believe should have similar soldering properties as copper. I thoroughly cleaned the dial back to a shiny smooth finish. I filed the end of the wire flat and smoothed the end and sides with emory paper to nice shiny finish. i dabbed a bit of flux on the dial and on the foot. Placed some tiny bits of solder near the joint and hit the current. MOst of the time the solder rides up the side of the foot a bit. Doesn't seem to flow into the joint. Have tried different combinations of flux location, vertical pressure on the foot, etc. No luck

[sstakoff]

Vinn - I will take some pics of my "jig" when I have some spare time. To answer your question though - the actual dial I am repairing (have been using a junk one for now) still has the spots where the original feet were located. Having said that, when I clean up the back to prep for soldering I will likely loose those locations. I was planning on scribing some cross hairs to keep the location. That should do the trick. If not, I will locate the new feet in the movement plate, put some ink on the tips and carefully place the dial on and remove - that should mark the location, but I prefer the first method. Happy to entertain better ideas though!!!

[sstakoff]

No time like the present! Here's the setup. I bought the machine on ebay last year for $30. Works on same principle as the one in the link I sent previously. You'll notice that I am holding the dial in a movement and have attached the ground lead to the holder. Using a "third hand" setup to support the foot in a pin vise. When I apply the current, I can also press down on the top of the pin vise if more pressure is desired. I use a piece of pith wood to press down since I don't want to touch the vice itself. Not sure if that would shock me, and frankly don't want to find out

You can see one of my seitz tools in the background. Was experimenting using that to hold the foot in place as well. Not enough clearance to work with a longer piece of wire though.

 

[Cougarnaut]

I'm using Löthonig as flux: http://www.loethonig.de/eng/index.html

and lead free 99.3Sn0.7CU solder.

My machine: 

http://dirkfassbender.de/dial-feet-soldering-machine.html

[sstakoff]

Thanks. I suspect the flux may be the problem. I cannot seem to locate a US supplier for Löthonig.

[Cougarnaut]

I tried standard rosin before, but it is much more difficult to apply and it tends to get hard. 

[sstakoff]

I ordered some of your recommended flux from Germany. I'm hopeful that it solves my issue. Thanks for the assistance!

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[matabog]

@sstakoff I wouldn't finish the contact surfaces to a shine, but let them as co**BLEEP** as possible. The flux will adhere better.

[matabog]

Rough I mean....

[sstakoff]

Understood. I tried that last night with similar (not good) results. I used a fiberglass scratch pen to clean the surface of the dial. I think that should be rough enough????

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[DougPage]

To mark the position of the dial feet, place the movement into position on the dial (face down and sometimes more secure putting back in case) and with a thin jewellers twist drill in a pin vice, guide it through the dial foot hole and turn in the correct direction of the twist drill. This should make a good mark on the back of the dial. Repeat for the other hole(s).

[sstakoff]

Great idea. See - simple is always best [emoji2]

I'm still waiting for my flux to arrive from Germany!!!

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[Cougarnaut]

Just a teaser. In development.