Pocket watch stem substitute

[mooredan]

When a movement is removed from its case, there's no longer a convenient way to set or wind the movement.   Is there a tool that can act as a stand-in?

Thanks, Dan

[jdm]

4 hours ago, mooredan said:

 Is there a tool that can act as a stand-in?

Check the bottom of this recent post

 

 

[mooredan]

Thank you. These (male bench keys) seem to be a bit hard to find, especially new.  There's a few vintage items on ebay, e.g.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224699761541

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324847379019

going for $12-$15/per in sets.  But no sizes (I've measured my application to need one that's around 0.93 mm on a side).

Anyone know of a resource for new ones? ...or might one of these fit the bill?

[JohnR725]

On 1/3/2022 at 8:47 PM, mooredan said:

When a movement is removed from its case,

One other minor thing which is an American pocket watches are out of their cases they go typically into setting mode and running in setting mode out of the case isn't really what it should be doing. So on some of the watches there's a way of putting it back into winding mode. There may be a lever on the side of the movement or possibly a screw on top sometimes. If it's a lever set it's okay because they will stay in winding

9 hours ago, mooredan said:

Anyone know of a resource for new ones? ...or might one of these fit the bill?

They're not available new because there are a tool for working on American pocket watches. This means typically the tools are not being manufactured and if you find them on eBay they're expensive.

[jdm]

9 hours ago, mooredan said:

or might one of these fit the bill?

You should able to make these easily with small diameter mild steel like a 4.8 bolt and a file. Then hold it with a pin vice, or thread the other end and secure a knob on it.