Elma Watch Cleaning Machine

[rodralph]

I love those old machines. The wiring is very simple since they didn't use any electronic components, just a few switches and a rheostat to control the speed. I am currently rewiring an L&R from the 60's and there isn't a whole lot to it.

 

I am also working on a microprocessor circuit to automatically alternate the direction of the motor, similar to a varimatic.

[Rafal]

Arduino is a perfect for motor control, not very difficult to program micro-controller.

[oldhippy]

I had one like that for cleaning travel alarm clocks and other small movements. L&R cleaner and rinse did a good job.

[rodralph]

Arduino is a perfect for motor control, not very difficult to program micro-controller.

Arduino is a great platform for this type of projects. I hope to have a working prototype on a breadboard later today.

[oldhippy]

Just seen this and it looks a bargain. I have never heard of the make.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TORNADO-Watch-Jewellery-cleaning-machine-in-good-condition-with-instructions-/191825931885?hash=item2ca9b76e6d:g:sSgAAOSwmmxW5bEZ

[jnash]

its always a good sign when the baskets are clean!

[Andyclient]

It's the same as mine , the motor spins clockwise and anti clockwise automatically you can adjust the time there are 2 speed settings and the base rotates with the dryer heating in the 4th position

Edited March 18, 2016 by Andyclient

[frenchie]

I want one... !!! But I don't think it would go over too well...

 

Also Andyclient, nice laundry basket... ;)

[oldhippy]

It's the same as mine , the motor spins clockwise and anti clockwise automatically you can adjust the time there are 2 speed settings and the base rotates with the dryer heating in the 4th position

Do you think its good for cleaning and how old would you say they are.

[Andyclient]

Yes very good cleaning wise , I get good results using L&R extra fine cleaning solution in jar 1 and L&R #3 rinsing solution in jars 2&3 age wise I would guess 1980s but that is a guess

[oldhippy]

Sound good then. I had the L & R Vari-Matic and always used their cleaner and rinse and always got a good job with the whole lot.

[graben2014]

It looks great! :thumbsu:

Here's the American list price for us Oklahoman's!

 

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2057872.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XTORNADO+Watch%2FJewellery+cleaning+machine+in+good+condition+with+instructions.TRS0&_nkw=TORNADO+Watch%2FJewellery+cleaning+machine+in+good+condition+with+instructions&_sacat=0

[graben2014]

That is "by the way" a bid item, so you can bid on it. For US people, they do have int'l shipping and handling considered in the price.

[dadistic]

Note, though, that the machine is wired for 220V 50hz and probably has one of those funny plugs on it :-)

 

Cheers!

[Blacklab]

Proper plug!

[Joeydwatchmaker]

I saw this myself and was amazed at the price.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[transporter]

Gone way past my budget as a hobbyist

[oldhippy]

Just found this its very over priced considering its age. Postage is very high. What do you think.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/L-R-Industrial-Precision-Watch-Cleaning-Machine-/291735433090?hash=item43ecc96f82:g:92oAAOSwjMJXDRu~

[Andyclient]

That does seem very expensive to me 

[bobm12]

It is a precision machine!

[jeffc83]

I'd shoot for the precisionless model;)

[maclerche]

Wow what a tread….

I've just bought a Elma Super Elite on Ebay for just 117, - Euro inclusive shipping.
The only thing that does not work is the heating element, but this i find easily on eBay for pennies!
Includes no baskets and basket frame, but I have ordered a complete new set (basket, frame and holder) from Pearl Tools in India for just 30 USD + shipping!

Although the machine I bought is quite nice I would probably still restoring it. For this I have some things I want to ask!

1. Have any of you who own such a machine measured how warm it is in the drying chamber?

2. Is there a thermostat in front of the heating element?

3. For how many watt heating element is?

[Kraai]

1 = about 60 degrees after half an hour

2 = no

3 = 10 to 20 watt estimated

The motor has an capacitor to minimize the elektromagnetic interference on old radio's (AM). The old one has tar insulation, which easely make an shortcut. You can remove it.

The speed of the motor depends on an potentiometer which will give some heating of the frame.

 

[maclerche]

15 minutes ago, Kraai said:

1 = about 60 degrees after half an hour

2 = no

3 = 10 to 20 watt estimated

The motor has an capacitor to minimize the elektromagnetic interference on old radio's (AM). The old one has tar insulation, which easely make an shortcut. You can remove it.

The speed of the motor depends on an potentiometer which will give some heating of the frame.

 

Omg, thats long time for 60 degrees but 10 - 20 W is not much. Think i will step it up a bit, think 100 - 200W is better, maybe a Ceramic Cartridge Wire Heater Heating Element will do the job. A PID Controller  will keep the heating temp. stable and i think a Over Heat thermostat will do the last trick. Just in case…. 

 

[Marc]

To be honest my Elma serves me very well in bog standard trim. Although the power of the heater isn't huge, it is more than adequate.

I switch the heater on when I start the cleaning cycle, and then off when the basket goes into the dryer. That is more than enough time for the chamber to reach an appropriate temperature, and switching it off at the start of the drying cycle ensures that the parts don't over heat. Five minutes spinning in the chamber even with the heater off and the basket is still too warm to hold on to comfortably provided it has had 20 minutes or so to heat up during the cleaning cycle. 

It achieves the required result without getting over complicated, which is one of the charms of the basic Elma.