Jump to content

Already, the hours just slide by.

Cherrybark

By Cherrybark
in Introduce Yourself Here

 Share

Recommended Posts

Cherrybark New Member

Cherrybark

Posted
Posted

Now 72, I've always been a "tinkerer".  I don't remember ever taking apart a watch but there were a couple of Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engines that didn't survive a young boy with a wrench and screwdriver.  Over the years "do it yourself" naturally taught skills and now the ease of ordering parts on-line and the seeming limitless library of helpful YouTube videos makes it possible to at least attempt repairing almost anything.   My wife and I were blue water cruisers for a dozen or so years - living in very remote places along Central America and the South Pacific.  That life will teach you a lot about self sufficiency and repairing diesels, refrigeration, plumbing, winches, and on and on.  Either you fix something or you do without.  We've been back in the States for almost two decades and hardly give a second thought to the conveniences of flush toilets, infinite fresh water, air conditioning in summer, and the miracle of fresh broccoli in the dead of winter.  Wouldn't think of putting a wrench to the engine of our modern vehicles but there are plenty of small engines, hydraulic pumps, washing machines, and other things to keep me busy.

I scrolled back through YouTube's History to find it was Fernando's "Collecting Vintages Watches" channel that recently started me down the rabbit hole of restoring older mechanical watches.   Haven't yet taken the back off the Elgin pocket watch that's been kicking around in the junk drawer.  But I've watched hours of relaxing videos and started a list of the small set of really necessary tools.  Thankfully, I came across the often repeated suggestion to start with an inexpensive working movement to avoid the frustration of hard to find parts.  Mark Lovick's course is in my near future and I look forward to the satisfaction and quiet work of tinkering with watches.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
grsnovi Distinguished Member

grsnovi

Posted
Posted

Welcome @Cherrybark! Mark's courses will get you started and there are quite a few YouTube channels (besides Mark's) that enjoy repeat visits because they're very well done. Watching somebody tear down, clean lubricate a re-assemble a watch can set up unrealistic expectations.

Mark's level 2 course will allow you to work along with him by purchasing an inexpensive movement for about $35. From there you could move on to your Elgin. Once you open your Elgin, you can find out more by visiting here with the s/n from the main plate:

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/

Don't spend all your money on tools and enjoy! 🙂

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cherrybark New Member

Cherrybark

Posted
  • Author
Posted

@grsnoviThank you for posting the link to the correct watch for Mark's course.  I'm trying to not dive into the deep end of the pool and understand parts can be a problem for old watches.  Learning with a new, affordable movement is a great idea.  Studying celestial navigation with a modern digital watch reveals how critical, and how crude, accurate timekeeping was for early explorers.  Dana Sobel's book "Longitude" gave me a peek into the competition to build the first portable clocks.  At this point, I'll be happy just to learn the basic mechanics of a simple watch.  I'm sure that  starting idea has lured many members into a long, rewarding hobby.   Happily, my wife indulges my hobbies.

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.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      I'm going to be setting up a decent little workshop here at home.

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      If you are having counter tops ( i think thats the amercan term ) and some cupboards underneath where you dont require working legroom then that corner doesn't have to be a difficult access void. Lazy susans , we ( kitchen fitters ) call them cabinet carousels or you could just have two adjacent doors with a corner post fixed to one of them, though it does make for a long reach to get to the very corner. But a carousel is a good access solution, also there are sliding steel baskets available but these are bloody expensive and typically problematic, i really think they are a crap idea. What i like about fully fitted worktops, very tidy looking, no loss of space, and sidewards pinged parts are hopefully going to stay worktop side and not end up crunched on the floor.
    • Michael1962
      I'm going to be setting up a decent little workshop here at home.

      By Michael1962 · Posted

      Aren't corners of rooms a bugger though as it is really difficult to use the space underneath the intersection of the two benchtops. Lazy Susans are an idea I suppose. Somewhere to be able to put tools/soldering iron/testing machines that aren't needed on the bench top all the time. It is a bit tight in there, but at least I won't have to move great distances to get to another area. I need to get hold of another chair to have at the cleaning bench. I'll stand all the time at the lathe and I already have the stool for the workbench. Need to get the power sorted now and move the LED lights for over the workbench. There are four downlight in the ceiling that are currently halogen bulbs. Really quite bright so that's good. Ceiling fan as well. What else could one hope for?
    • Neverenoughwatches
      AS 554 from 1930

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      So all that glitters is not gold when it comes to buying from ebay ( in fact very very rarely) i bought this as554 a few months ago. It was it's dial that attracted me to the joblot, which turned out to be printed on a postcard, that was the first red flag. During disassembly many faults were discovered as listed above,  but i was prepared to soldier on and see what i could achieve. I managed to make a setting lever for it which was a great learning experience and also correctly shape and de rust the hairspring.  Turning my attention to the balance assembly i have hit a road block. The staff broke when removing the roller but that wasn't so much of an issue as it was quite deformed anyway.  I also had several AS554 staffs that I could replace it with, problem is they dont measure up the same. I thought i had identified the movement correctly but what i think has happened is some heavy modification has taken place to make an incorrect staff fit. A nos staff is a slack fit on the balance wheel, the roller and the collet. The balance wheel has also been filed to within an inch of its life. I'm starting to doubt my identification of the movement either that or someone has converted the movement into a pure nugget of trash. Bit disappointed as i managed to get the train to spin lovely and put a good few hours into the setting lever. A balance complete might be the only option if one is available but you know when you are just wasting money. My thoughts are to make and modify something else to fit and work if that is possible, any ideas anyone ? 
    • Neverenoughwatches
      I'm going to be setting up a decent little workshop here at home.

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Looking good Michael 
    • Michael1962
      I'm going to be setting up a decent little workshop here at home.

      By Michael1962 · Posted

      My second iteration. Cleaning to be underneath the towel rails. That makes sense. Moved the fridge and the maching/printing table around to the right. Changed the lathe to be used over the end of the bench. Not much room in front of the 3D printer, but you don't have to stand there while it is doing its thing. I may swap the fridge and the machining/printing bench yet. Not sure. And the 'doing' area. The power that was brought in for tha spa was 30A I think, so there will be more power than I need. I will have to check how level the benches are as well as find a spot for the movement testing rig to go. The tiles do have a fall toward the drain so I will have to work something out to be able to level the rig easily no matter where I put it. I'm also going to cut some slots in the bottom for pendulum clearance and some squares in the top section to be able to better see the movement. I'm getting more excited now.
×
×
  • Create New...