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Vostok Komandirskie


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Screenshot_20210209-001459_eBay.thumb.jpg.2bb1a89df91f01a3ce93ac21400a7b22.jpgI just completed this project yesterday. I got it from ebay as a non runner. It had so many problems that I not sure which one finally did it in.

20210208_120349.thumb.jpg.3e729c9325ad6cd94363bc7193c79b66.jpgThe tail of the mainspring had broken off. I spot welded it back.

The minute hand could move but not the hour hand. I found that the cannon pinion was not pressed all the way in. 

The movement was filthy. There was oil everywhere. And look what I found under the mainspring barrel. 20210206_210046.thumb.jpg.944b89c5b382e3b294c9ebb0ce84fb26.jpg

A Russian spy bug!

The cleaning and oiling was straightforward. But the hairspring was so greasy that I had to rinse it 3 times.

I relumed the dial and I am quite pleased with the outcome. 

20210209_205438.thumb.jpg.8ad27fafedfda741823163029ea029d0.jpg20210213_203633.thumb.jpg.a48a99df0c37a9601d8742bfebed13da.jpg

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40 minutes ago, VWatchie said:

That lume looks great! What type is it and where can I get it? Thanks!

I used a lume powder from Aliexpress mixed with Bergeon lume powder. I think the Chinese lume powder glows brighter and lasts longer, but the grains are very coarse. I had to grind it in a mortar and pestle and seive it to get a finer powder.

I mix my lume powder in UV nail polish. I used a light orange luminous nail varnish to give it an "aged" look.

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47 minutes ago, HectorLooi said:

I had to grind it in a mortar and pestle and seive it to get a finer powder.

I would advise a dust mask when grinding it, it is pretty abrasive stuff, so you don't want to be getting too much of it in your lungs. The same applies to pretty much any ceramics. Actually if in doubt, when grinding stuff, any stuff, wear a mask.

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2 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

I used a lume powder from Aliexpress mixed with Bergeon lume powder. I think the Chinese lume powder glows brighter and lasts longer, but the grains are very coarse. I had to grind it in a mortar and pestle and seive it to get a finer powder.

I mix my lume powder in UV nail polish. I used a light orange luminous nail varnish to give it an "aged" look.

Awesome tip! ?

Any special reason you're using a UV nail polish? I know nothing about it.

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UV nail polish gives unlimited working time. There is no solvent evaporating away and making the lume paste lumpy. There is no need to hurry. When you are happy with the placement and thickness of the lume, then you cure it under a UV nail lamp. 

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