Stem won't pass through stem tube

[Horodan]

Hello everyone.   This is my first post.    I was cleaning up a quartz field watch, brand unknown ( I refer to this type of watch as a " drug store " watch ) , when this happened. I released the the stem from the movement,  but it would not come out of the case.  I ended up carefully removing the movement at a funny angle with the stem still there. The stem tube seems to narrow in the middle, allowing the threaded portion to pass through, but not the flared and faceted portion.   I attempted to remove the crown from the stem , with no luck.  I now have the case suspended with the crown dangling into a cup of penetrating oil.  It seems that the stem was passed through the stem tube from the inside, then the crown was attached.  Is there any reason why it would be done this way?  Is there a simple method to remove it that I am missing?  Or, once I do separate the stem and crown, is there a reason why I should not drill out the stem tube? Thank you everyone.

[watchweasol]

Is it possible to provide pictures of the watch.  Is it a one piece case (front Loader) or one of the type where although the back comes off the bezel is removed and the movement exits fron the front.      some crows were glued on with thread lock so warming the crown with a soldering iron might release it.  as you will appreciate a picture of two would help to answer a lot of questions.    welcome to the forum.

[Horodan]

3 hours ago, watchweasol said:

Is it possible to provide pictures of the watch.  Is it a one piece case (front Loader) or one of the type where although the back comes off the bezel is removed and the movement exits fron the front.      some crows were glued on with thread lock so warming the crown with a soldering iron might release it.  as you will appreciate a picture of two would help to answer a lot of questions.    welcome to the forum.

 

[Horodan]

Yes sorry here are some photos.  

[HectorLooi]

That's strange. It looks like a normal stem. Maybe there's some rust in the pendant tube.

You can heat to soften any threadlocker as WW recommended and ream the pendant tube to allow the stem to pass through.

[Horodan]

53 minutes ago, HectorLooi said:

That's strange. It looks like a normal stem. Maybe there's some rust in the pendant tube.

You can heat to soften any threadlocker as WW recommended and ream the pendant tube to allow the stem to pass through.

Thank you. Yes I will definitely expand the whole when the stem is out.   It does not seem like rust. When moving the stem around it feels like metal on metal, no gritty feeling and no give at all.   If I had a new stem handy I would just cut the old one.   Also, the angle won't allow me to get a pin vise on the stem.   

[Horodan]

3 hours ago, Horodan said:

 

Thank you both for your advice.   It is great to be able to talk to others about watches.  I am just learning how to use this forum, I apologize for any technical issues I have.  

[HectorLooi]

21 minutes ago, Horodan said:

Thank you. Yes I will definitely expand the whole when the stem is out.   It does not seem like rust. When moving the stem around it feels like metal on metal, no gritty feeling and no give at all.   If I had a new stem handy I would just cut the old one.   Also, the angle won't allow me to get a pin vise on the stem.   

You don't need to use a pin vise to grip the stem. Just grip the stem with a long nosed pliers. Warm the stem with a soldering iron and the crown should come off quite easily.

[watchweasol]

As Hector said  nothing unusual with the stem, so its as said warm the crown and remove then look at the hole/stem tube for whats causing the blockage.

[Horodan]

6 hours ago, watchweasol said:

As Hector said  nothing unusual with the stem, so its as said warm the crown and remove then look at the hole/stem tube for whats causing the blockage.

Thank you all for the advise. A little heat and the crown came off easily.  I have the hole expanded enough for the stem to pass through normally.  I can now continue as normal . Thank you . 

[Horodan]

Problem solved. Thank you all for the advice. 

[watchweasol]

You are welcome,  what was blocking the tube  just crud ?

[Horodan]

19 hours ago, watchweasol said:

You are welcome,  what was blocking the tube  just crud ?

Yes.  It actually was just crud. Once the stem was out, I pushed a couple different probes through and got it all cleaned out.