I'm totally new - replacing jewel first task out of the gate (sigh...)

[Vinito]

Well ain't this always the way it goes?

I'm  an old man and new to watchmaking. I'm a machinist by trade so somewhat adjacently familiar to the subject, but never actually tried to learn anything about actual watchmaking until recently.

With the advice of starting with a pocket watch or import ST36/6497 movement, I picked up some inexpensive examples of those to start with. But I also have some sticky or broken dial indicators too so I thought if I want to start simple, then the dial indicators might be a great way to dip my toe in and score some quick gratification points. Well, yes and no.

I found a Starrett back-plunger indicator that was gummy so I thought I'd start with that. Keep in mind that the thing was already not being used because of its performance and if I totaled it, I don't use these much at all so it wouldn't be a big loss. Well disassembly went fine, and talk about a simple movement! You can maybe find something simpler, but it would take serious digging.

Anyway, long story longer... after cleaning it up I started putting it back together and realized that the solitary jewel is all busted up. I guess I found the other forgotten reason I tossed in the junk pile years ago.

Anyway, I figured I'd just punt and pick another something to work on. But giving up started to bug me, so I started looking into what it takes to replace jewels. I'm pretty sure I can pull this off well enough. So now what about the tools? A search reveals that I can pick up one of those chinese jewelling presses and pressers/dies for about $160. I pulled the trigger in hopes that it will work out. I'll measure the set and polish them to size if necessary. If I'm lucky, it will all be within spec and I can just use it. Not sure if I have to mess with reamers and such, but I guess I'll find out.

So out of the gate, about my second task is jumping in and replacing jewels. Baptism of fire I guess. And if it doesn't go well, the worst that can happen is I'll trash an indicator that was in the junk pile anyway.

I'm learning stuff I guess.

edit to add: I haven't seen much talk about machinist dial indicator repair. If you haven't thought of this, you should look into it. There are tons of problem indicators in junk boxes in every shop in the world (I personally have about two dozen). These things are frequently getting splashed with coolant, oil and dirt and it seems like if a guy wanted to, he could maybe make a little beer money going through and bringing these things back to life. Like I said, the movements in these things are WAY simple compared to the most basic watch.

Edited January 1, 2023 by Vinito

[Malocchio]

That Chinese Horia clone is really nice for the price. There's some variation how the stumps fit. I think my set has one stump that's a bit too tight fit. You could also consider getting a used Seitz tool. The pushers are a lot higher quality (and very expensive if bought as individuals). Just try to find one that uses 4mm pushers (3mm is the other version) so you can buy replacements new. The Horia clone is 4mm for both the pushers and stumps. I have the clone and also a Seitz that I bought without any spindles, pushers or stumps. I bought a reaming spindle and bits for it. I don't know if reaming accessories are available for Horia. Nice thing is you can use new Seitz pushers with a 4mm Horia. I use the Seitz cannon pinion tightening bits.

[dadistic]

I recently bought an auction lot of old dial and test indicators. I've been gradually going through them, and I've got a few of the "Last Word" indicators working again, we'll see how the rest of them are eventually. I think there was a reason they were so cheap, these guys are all really very worn.