Jump to content

Making/finding a case screw for Elgin 539

LittleWatchShop
 Share

Recommended Posts

LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted

At first blush, this seems like a simple task.  I have made screws and have been happy with the results.  However, I am bedeviled by the threads on this one.  As best I can tell, the Martin Fils L and B screwplates will not work.  I had the bright idea to just make a brass screw and use the baseplate of the watch as the cutting tool...nah...I don't like that.

So, I am looking around the list of suppliers I have bookmarked plus ebay.

If anyone has a clever idea, I am all ears.

This is helpful...NOT.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted
22 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

As best I can tell, the Martin Fils L and B screwplates will not work

that sounds like a Swiss name? Swiss screw in a American watch?

22 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

This is helpful...NOT.

are you suggesting that Elgin doesn't use Elgin screws and their watch?

I suppose it's possible if the Elgin screws thread size don't fit for the casings screw than the casings screw may be considered a casing components. In other words like in the days of pocket watches they could go in anybody's made case so conceivably maybe there's a standard for casings screws. In which that would mean that anyone's casings screw would conceivably fit. As long as is the right size of course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, JohnR725 said:

that sounds like a Swiss name? Swiss screw in a American watch?

are you suggesting that Elgin doesn't use Elgin screws and their watch?

I suppose it's possible if the Elgin screws thread size don't fit for the casings screw than the casings screw may be considered a casing components. In other words like in the days of pocket watches they could go in anybody's made case so conceivably maybe there's a standard for casings screws. In which that would mean that anyone's casings screw would conceivably fit. As long as is the right size of course.

No, I am not suggesting that. That would have been really dumb of me to. My point, oblique as it was, is that knowing thread pitch is useless knowledge if I am not in possession of a die to cut them.

Re Martin Fils...it is not impossible for an American company to adopt a thread standard of the Swiss. Or is it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

No, I am not suggesting that. That would have been really dumb of me to. My point, oblique as it was, is that knowing thread pitch is useless knowledge if I am not in possession of a die to cut them.

the question is which came first the die or the tap? The reality is anyone skilled in machining can have either if they just have one. My problem with discussion is I do have a set of Elgin taps they do show up on eBay from time to time so all the Elgin screws can be made today because the taps still remain

but I still wonder especially with pocket watches weather case screws are considered a casing component and maybe they use some other thread size. because so many times cases are not necessarily made by the company who has the watch in the case

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
  • Author
Posted
14 minutes ago, JohnR725 said:

the question is which came first the die or the tap? The reality is anyone skilled in machining can have either if they just have one. My problem with discussion is I do have a set of Elgin taps they do show up on eBay from time to time so all the Elgin screws can be made today because the taps still remain

but I still wonder especially with pocket watches weather case screws are considered a casing component and maybe they use some other thread size. because so many times cases are not necessarily made by the company who has the watch in the case

 

I wish I had a set of those. Will start watching for them on ebay.

This particular watch is the A11, which as you know, was military spec'd.  Thus it is likely all Elgin.

@JohnR725

Next time you are doing nothing with a camera in your hand, take a picture of your tap and die set so I can salivate

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

    • mikepilk
      Setting lever spring

      By mikepilk · Posted

      I would harden and temper (to a light blue). It's so easy to do and only takes a couple of minutes.
    • Waggy
      Movement holder made with 3D printer

      By Waggy · Posted

      Here is the insert ring for rectangular or elliptical movements: Note that the length is the side with the stem cut out on the spreadsheet (in the picture below this is 15.15: Here is the fake pdf file, again you need to convert to .zip after download to access the FreeCAD and 3mf files. Rectangular insert disc.pdf    
    • JohnR725
      Omega cal. 565 - low amplitude

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      as you took the mainspring out what did it look like? It's amazing how much amplitude you can get if the mainspring actually has the proper shape. last week I was doing a 12 size Hamilton and was very much surprised with the beautiful back curvature the mainspring had. Then the watch had a really nice amplitude the group would be so proud it was 350 until I dropped the lift angle down to 38 that drop the amplitude quite a bit below 300. then with the beautiful back curve it still had really nice amplitude the next day. I really wish all my mainspring's look like this as the watch had beautiful amplitude the next day. So many of the aftermarket pocketwatch Springs I see now do not have anything resembling a back curve may be a slight curve and that's about all. They still work but they just don't work as nice as a properly made spring. then Omega as all sorts of nifty technical documentation unfortunately every single corner is watermarked with where it came from who downloaded it etc. very paranoid company. On the other hand I will snip out images like from the document on recycling a mainspring barrel. for instance here's the section on what your mainspring should look like. water damaged a lot of times means rust was there rust on this watch?
    • RichardHarris123
      Without Our Forum

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      I wondered that?
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I dont understand why a patreon membership would have limited places ??
×
×
  • Create New...