Jump to content

Recommended Posts

4 minutes ago, Gramham said:

Aaaak!  Too late!   🙂

(I actually bought this blue silicone mat years ago for working on microelectronics, and I absolutely hate its color, feel, dimensions, etc.  However, it does not smell bad).

I've seen various types of materials quoted (Formica, vinyl flooring, green cutting mats, fancy drafting table materials).  I suppose the perfect watchmaking mat should have minimal "dead bounce" but not be so hard as to be uncomfortable as a long-term hand rest.  Paper is no good (fibres), silicone is no good (bounce)...so what is?

I see that people tend to like the 2mm thickness as well, and some have expressed a preference for 2-ply construction with some kind of anti-slip on the back and a more yielding, non-fibrous, cleanable top surface.

Assuming the ideal mat is

- 2mm thick
- 2-ply w/
  - non-slip bottom
  - M top material
- Dimensions of L x W

@Kalanag- what would be your ideal dimensions and material?  Is neoprene no good?

What would be your best advice regarding M, L and W?

g.
----

Watchmaking-Bench-Image-2022-07-24_09-57-19.jpg

I have silicone for electronics only. See my post above for my material and dimensions

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also think that PU as a top layer is good. I tend to recommend the Bergeon mat with 2mm thickness as an alternative. It seems not to be that overpriced as the other items of this brand. The quality is decent and the Bergeon imprint gives you the feeling of being a true professional 🙃

Edited by Kalanag
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/21/2022 at 3:02 AM, LittleWatchShop said:

Here is what I use.  Bought one...liked it.  Bought another...still liked it.  I have four.  One on each bench.

Posting a picture because the link will not live forever.

 

Specifications:
Materials:PU Leather
Color:Brown-Grey
Size:32” x 16”x 0.8"

2022-04-20 14_01_28-Desk Pad Thin Waterproof PU Leather Mouse Pad Dual Use Desk Writing PC Mat Brown.png

Hello @LittleWatchShop

Is this the posting you were referring to when you said "see above" in response to my post?

If you could have *any* size of bench mat, are these still the dimensions you would go for?

Thanks,

g.
----

2 hours ago, oldhippy said:

Just get yourself some green blotting paper cut it to what ever size you want and cover it with glass. to stop it from moving tack some beading around it. That is what I did. 

Hello @oldhippy,

Your method sounds wonderful, but due to space constraints I am going to have a "drop leaf" work surface for the next little while (until I convince wifey that the watchmaking is "for real") so I am not sure about the glass on paper solution.

Thanks anyways though!

g.

----

Edited by Gramham
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What I use is the self healing cutting mats used by hobbists, they are green ans sodt enough to press tour tweezers inti when picking up springs etc and if you dont like the yellow lines they clean off using white spirit leaving you with a clean green mat with a pleasing colour and almost bounce free at a fairly low cost (depending on size). I have used this for some time its still good and easy to clean. 

Pictures of the cutting mat various sizes  and for the price very good.

cutting mat.jpg

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Gramham said:

Is this the posting you were referring to when you said "see above" in response to my post?

If you could have *any* size of bench mat, are these still the dimensions you would go for?

Yes

If would prefer a bigger size to cover my entire bench, but happy as is

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, oldhippy said:

Just get yourself some green blotting paper cut it to what ever size you want and cover it with glass.

Glass is very bouncy when tiny screws and jewels drop. The surface should have some damping give.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 hours ago, Kalanag said:

Mike from myretrowatches.co.uk wore this t-shirt in his recent video.

If anyone might be interested in buying one:

https://my-retro-watches.creator-spring.com/listing/new-watchmakers-life?product=373

Cool t -shirt and very true.  Such a shame about Mike 's condition, he's a lovely genuine guy. The first YouTube repairer i watched when I started. Bless him and hopes he makes a full recovery.

58 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Cool t -shirt and very true.  Such a shame about Mike 's condition, he's a lovely genuine guy. The first YouTube repairer i watched when I started. Bless him and hopes he makes a full recovery.

Completely off topic here Kalanag but I just thought I'd grab your attention while you are buzzing around. Do you have any experience with plating watches ?

1 hour ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Cool t -shirt and very true.  Such a shame about Mike 's condition, he's a lovely genuine guy. The first YouTube repairer i watched when I started. Bless him and hopes he makes a full recovery.

Completely off topic here Kalanag but I just thought I'd grab your attention while you are buzzing around. Do you have any experience with plating watches ?

Ah ha and Gert just the man I would like to speak to. Good morning matey, howw youu doin ? 😉

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Mark unpinned this topic
  • Mark pinned, unpinned and featured this topic

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

    • Hi, guys I have a bit of a predicament and hopefully, somebody can advise. I'm working on a Roamer MST 521 where the movement is extracted from the crystal side. I'm now at the final hurdle where I need to replace the movement back into its case but I'm not sure of the correct procedure. I still need to fit the hands but that's where the problem lies. If I insert the winding stem to test the hands for correct alignment I will need to turn the movement over to release the stem again it's the spring-loaded type and needs a small bit of force to push down but with the hands fitted, I don't think I can do this on a cushion without causing some damage to the hands and that's the last thing I want to do, this watch has already been a love-hate relationship and I'm so close to boxing this one off which I'm counting as my first major project.  The other option is to case the movement then fit the hands and hope everything is okay. I've already broken the original winding stem but managed to find a replacement, the last one in stock, so I'm a bit reluctant to keep removing it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. 
    • I would go for the dearer spring. You won't need to remove the spring from the carrier ring and then use a mainspring winder to get it into the barrel, for a start. Also that spring is closer to the needed dimensions, especially the length. The length plays a part in the mainsprings strength. If you double the length you will half the force (strength) of the spring and vice-versa. A spring with 20 mm less length would be about 7% shorter, so technically would be 7% more strength, but I find halving this number is closer to real-world findings, so the spring would be about 3 to 4% more strength/force. On a mainspring that ideally kicks out 300 degrees of amplitude, a 3% increase in amplitude would be 309 degrees. Increasing or decreasing the length of the mainspring will affect the power reserve to a greater or lesser degree. It depends how much shorter or longer it is.
    • I recently bought this but not on ebay. I figured if I want something Japanese I better check Japanese auction sites since these don't seem to pop up on ebay. I paid 83 € plus shipping & taxes. I think it was pretty reasonable for a complete set in good condition.
    • Did you take the friction pinion off the large driving wheel and grease it? Although, now that I think about it, that shouldn't have any effect on the free running of the train if the friction pinion isn't interacting withe minute wheel/setting wheel...
    • I did in fact use Rodico to get the spring into general position and "hold" it there while I used a fine oiler to make subtle positional adjustments.
×
×
  • Create New...