Jump to content

Selecting a vice for watch repairing


WatchingOracle

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone.

A quick question.

I've been slowly trying to get my workspace planned and realised I totally have overlooked a vice. In the past any vice work for anything would be on my fathers clunker of a vice that honestly isn't in the best state of repair and I do think I need to get something for my watch repair work especially for refurbishing cases.

Anyone got any advice on vice selection? I have no idea where to start with selection and haven't seen much talk about vices and thoughts on them regarding watch repairing.

Cheers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are many options available The Bergeon 4040 is one which crops up with recomendations. there are two versions one in metal and one in carbon fibre. There are other bergeon models also. and different sizes. Beware the cheap ones as their grip is suspect.  There is a fair chance you will use several different styles in the course of your hobby, There will do doubt be members who will reccomend their favourites as we all have our preferences.  I have three styles I use for different watches.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cheers @jdmSeems that thread had a lot but mostly on vintage vices. I guess the likelyhood of finding one like that in Australia is remote. I figured i'd be buying something new off the shelf tbh as finding old watch equipment here is rare and I can only imagine international post for a heavy vice would be very expensive for shipping.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

43 minutes ago, WatchingOracle said:

Seems that thread had a lot but mostly on vintage vices,

Actually it has ample discussion about the Bergeon copy sold by Cousins UK. That is what I have, among others.

 

43 minutes ago, WatchingOracle said:

 a heavy vice would be very expensive for shipping.

Then you have to better define what are you looking for. A watchmaker vise is never heavy,  maybe 1 Kg the most. Very useful are the 30mm bench one or the handheld. I have refurbished very many cases but never needed to use a big vise, or one at all.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@jdm Yes I saw that after I posted. Though that being said too, I would still prefer to see if I can find something locally in Australia for the afore mentioned reasons.

As for weight and the vice well I think even something small can cost a pretty penny sometimes for post. I guess you've never had an item shipped to Australia lol. Our postage can be a real pain in the backside sometimes depending on what it is. Last thing I ordered was a book that was out of print I was lucky enough to find in used bookshop overseas. The book cost LESS than the postage, with the postage coming in close to $100 AUD cause of the weight. I didn't think it weighed all that much to be honest.

Any Aussies on here with any opinions or views on what they use, if they sourced something they really liked that was local, would be appreciated.

👍

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 minutes ago, WatchingOracle said:

 I would still prefer to see if I can find something locally in Australia for the afore mentioned reasons.

From what I have seen Australia has pretty much the same situation as the rest of the world which is flooded with Chinese tools. I do not remember seeing any specific watchmaking vise made by them but you can find the 40 or 50mm ones at the hardware store. Some are average, some just terribile. Otherwise you can check out the best general purpose brands like Craftsman, Stanley, Dremel, Proxxon (still mostly made in China). You should be able to find online or YouTube reviews and comparisons for all these.

 

21 minutes ago, WatchingOracle said:

I guess you've never had an item shipped to Australia lol.

Actually I did, both ways including when I visited Australia. It was before the VAT allowance was lowered or eliminated, I remember one guy at the office ordering custom car parts from the USA like crazy. Surely shipping is relatively expensive, one of these cases where if one really wants a specific item will have to pay extra for it. Probably not needed for a garage vise.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@jdmYeah I'm not sure. I need to see. With Fathers Day here coming up, general tool shops etc that stock a lot of the brands you mentioned are having sales but I probably won't get anything soon. I need to save up too. I want to get a good feel for what might be needed and will have a better proper read of the thread you linked in the mean time too.

I'd still rather get locally especially for something that won't be cheap as right now mail loss is at an all time high especially where overseas parcels are concerned and I don't need the trouble with Australia Post lol.

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.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • These types of hairsprings become weak with age and very fragile. Which I expect it is that giving you trouble, and that wheel is not the correct one, if it were not bent I don't think the movement would run as the teeth are not the correct height. The problem you have is price which depends on you. It can be repaired but is it worth it to you, because there is little value in the clock. A wheel can be made and hairspring replaced. Or hang on to it and keep looking on ebay which is your best bet for replacement parts or even a complete movement but it will be like finding a needle in a haystack. 
    • I did that also for a few movements - well, mainly in/around the train jewels. I made big efforts to epilame the mainplate WITHOUT getting Epilame into the Pallet fork jewels (where it's not supposed to be, right?). I made litte barriers with Rodico around that jewel and used drops from a syringe to apply on the rest.  However, I've now stopped doing this. For three reasons: 1. It's a hassle and consumes more of this liquid gold. 2. I didn't see the need when using HP1000/HP1300 lubricants and grease for most part. The two places where I'd use 9010 (i.e. escape wheel and balance) receive Epilame in specific places... or the cap-jewel-setting of the balance suspends the oil sufficiently be capillary action (see my "conflict" about using Epilame on the balance jewels).  3. Lastly, and here I really wonder about yours and others' experiences: I felt that applying Epliame to the train jewels left them looking hazy (borderline dirty) compared to the (painstakingly achieved) sparkly clean results of my cleaning process. I just can't help but think that the Epilame residuals would mix with the oil and cause more friction/wear. I don't know.    simple: it'll stay there. It won't move any further. That's exactly what is happening if you epilame a cap stone. You end up placing the 9010 right on top of the epilame and the oil will sit nicely on that spot.
    • There are some parts on Ebay for the seiko 6020A, it may just be a waiting game for someone to strip one down, NOS will be more scarce . K would strip your movement down to the module then start looking at other seiko movement to see if that coil is used, then seek out a seiko part dealer. Also Retrowatches youtube owner Mike may give you some advice try him on his site . He also hangs around amateur watchmaking groups.
    • I would agree, in order to work harden something you need to exceed it's yield strength when it moves from the elastic zone to the plastic zone and you get permanent deformation and work hardening which is fairly close to its failure point, relatively speaking and dependent on the material/alloy of course. In theory you can load something constantly within its elastic range and not suffer work hardening issues.
    • Probably easier to get a complete new movement - but CousinsUK list it as discontinued. Maybe someone on here knows a substitute movement ?
×
×
  • Create New...